Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Training and development specialists focus on helping people build skills and knowledge, making this a strong option for those who enjoy communication, coaching, and supporting others’ growth. Nationally, this occupation employs about 452,000 people, indicating a sizable field with many potential employers and work settings. The national median annual salary of $65,850 suggests a solid earning path with room for advancement, especially in locations with higher pay. Projected employment growth of 10.8% and about 44,000 annual openings point to ongoing demand for new specialists as well as replacement needs. Success in this career draws heavily on speaking and listening, interpersonal abilities, and strong writing and reading skills. Critical and analytical thinking, problem solving, and project management also matter as specialists design and deliver learning experiences. For people who are adaptable, creative, and interested in leadership and customer service–oriented work, training and development offers a well-defined professional track with room to grow over time.
The national median annual salary for training and development specialists is $65,850, giving a useful benchmark for evaluating offers and planning a career path. Pay can vary substantially by location. Among top states by opportunity score, Washington reports a median salary of $81,860, Massachusetts $80,270, New York $76,080, and both California and Colorado $75,790. At the metro level, differences are even more pronounced. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA shows a median salary of $104,770, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports $95,050. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro lists $79,840, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is at $82,400 and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH at $83,800. These numbers highlight how choosing higher-paying states and metros can significantly increase earning potential over the national median for specialists who are able and willing to relocate.
Training and development specialists have a sizable national employment base of about 452,000, indicating that this is an established occupation with many positions across the country. Projected employment growth of 10.8% suggests that the field is expected to expand over time. Approximately 44,000 annual openings are projected, which reflects both newly created roles and opportunities that appear when workers change jobs or leave the occupation. This combination of current employment, projected growth, and annual openings means job seekers can consider both entry-level possibilities and potential for advancement or movement between employers. Because the same 10.8% growth rate appears in the top states and metro areas listed by opportunity score, people interested in this occupation may see a generally consistent growth expectation across many leading labor markets. Together, these indicators support viewing training and development as a career with ongoing hiring activity and room for long-term participation in the workforce.
Location plays a significant role in both opportunity and pay for training and development specialists. Among states, California leads with employment of 46,530 and a median salary of $75,790, paired with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts offers a higher median salary of $80,270 and an opportunity score of 65.87, while New York combines a median salary of $76,080 with employment of 27,460 and an opportunity score of 65.78. Colorado and Washington also appear as strong options, with median salaries of $75,790 and $81,860 and opportunity scores of 56.97 and 56.29, respectively. At the metro level, opportunities can look even more concentrated. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA stands out with a median salary of $104,770 and an opportunity score of 77.42. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro follows closely with an opportunity score of 77.27. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH all offer higher median salaries than the national median, along with strong opportunity scores.
The typical education level for training and development specialists is a bachelor’s degree, providing a clear academic target for students and career changers planning entry into this field. Beyond formal education, the role relies on a broad mix of human, analytical, and organizational skills. Speaking and listening are central to communicating information and engaging with learners, while strong writing and reading skills support creating and understanding training materials. Leadership and interpersonal skills help specialists guide groups and build effective working relationships. Adaptability, creativity, and innovation are important for adjusting to different audiences and developing engaging learning experiences. Project management, critical and analytical thinking, problem solving, decision making, and customer service skills all contribute to planning, improving, and delivering training initiatives. Together, these abilities, supported by a bachelor’s degree, shape a well-rounded skill profile that can help specialists grow and remain competitive in this career.
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