A Training and Development Specialist (also sometimes called a Learning Systems Specialist) is a professional who works with organizations to create and deliver training programs for employees, new hires and current staff. They are responsible for developing an innovative approach to learning that meets the needs of the organization and its learners.
The median annual salary for a Training and Development Specialist is $57,600. To calculate the number of hours needed to get this job, simply multiply the annual salary by 2080, the number of working hours in a year. For example, if someone makes $57,600 per year and works 2,080 hours per year (40 hrs x 52 wks), they’ll need to work 80 hours per work week at this pay rate.
Salary For Training And Development Specialist Overview
Training and development specialists are tasked with developing and implementing training programs for employees. They help companies improve their internal processes and employee performance by providing training that will help employees meet goals in a timely and effective manner.
Training and development specialists are responsible for developing and implementing training programs, as well as developing plans to improve employee performance. They also conduct performance evaluations and make recommendations to management on how to improve employee skills.
Training and development specialists may be entry-level professionals or senior-level managers. Salaries vary based on experience, but generally range from $50,000 to $120,000 annually.
Who is A Training And Development Specialist
Training And Development Specialist create and conduct learning programs for company employees. They work towards improving the efficiency of staff by identifying their learning needs and devising appropriate training material to fill the gaps.
As a learning development specialist, you will be expected to find the right method to deliver teaching materials in various settings according to the employers’ needs and conditions. After researching shortcomings, designing and implementing workshops, or other training sessions, you will assess the success of the training as well.
Essentially, your job will be to prove to people you work with that there is always room for improvement and create viable opportunities for employees to improve themselves. It is a role that you can easily find rewarding if you love working with others and your communication skills are exceptional.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a learning development specialist. For example, did you know that they make an average of $35.5 an hour? That’s $73,846 a year!
What Does a Training and Development Specialist Do?
If you’re a charismatic person who enjoys helping individuals and teams function better, consider becoming a training and development specialist. These specialists design, plan and organize training programs to help improve business performance. Programs can range from new employee orientation to major changes in how work gets done or decisions get made.
They assess training needs through surveys, interviews with employees, consultation with managers and other feedback. They use training methods that include audiovisual aids, classroom instruction, role-playing and computer devices. Training may be in person, online or both.
How to Become a Training and Development Specialist
Education for Training and Development Specialists
Training and development specialists need a bachelor’s degree. Specialists may have a variety of education backgrounds, but most have a bachelor’s degree in training and development, human resources, education, or instructional design. Others may have a degree in business administration or a social science, such as educational or organizational psychology.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation for Training and Development Specialists
Related work experience is important for most training and development specialists. Many positions require work experience in areas such as training and development or instructional design, or in related occupations, such as human resources specialists or teachers.
Employers may prefer to hire candidates with previous work experience in the industry in which the company operates, or with experience in e-learning, mobile training, and technology-based tools. However, some employers may hire candidates with a master’s degree in lieu of work experience.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations for Training and Development Specialists
Many human resources associations offer classes to enhance the skills of their members. Some associations, including the Association for Talent Development and International Society for Performance Improvement, specialize in training and development and offer certification programs. Although not required, certification can show professional expertise and credibility. Some employers prefer to hire certified candidates, and some positions may require certification.
Advancement for Training and Development Specialists
Training and development specialists may advance to training and development manager or human resources manager positions. Workers typically need several years of experience to advance. Some employers require managers to have a master’s degree in a related area.
Important Qualities for Training and Development Specialists
Analytical skills. Training and development specialists must evaluate training programs, methods, and materials, and choose those that best fit each situation.
Communication skills. Specialists need strong interpersonal skills because delivering training programs requires collaboration with instructors, trainees, and subject-matter experts. They accomplish much of their work through teams. Specialists must communicate information clearly and facilitate learning by diverse audiences.
Creativity. Specialists should be creative when developing training materials. They may need to think of and implement new approaches, such as new technology, when evaluating existing training methods.
Instructional skills. Training and development specialists often deliver training programs to employees. They use a variety of teaching techniques and sometimes must adapt their methods to meet the needs of particular groups.
Training and Development Specialist Salaries[About this section] [More salary/earnings info] [To Top]
The median annual wage for training and development specialists is $61,570. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,340, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $103,240.
The median annual wages for training and development specialists in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $77,280 |
| Finance and insurance | $63,460 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | $62,600 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | $60,110 |
| Administrative and support services | $49,210 |
Most training and development specialists work full time during regular business hours.
Job Outlook for Training and Development Specialists
Employment of training and development specialists is projected to grow 11 percent over the next ten years, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 35,200 openings for training and development specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment of Training and Development Specialists
Employees in many occupations are required to take continuing education and skill development courses throughout their careers, creating demand for workers who lead training activities.
Employment of training and development specialists is projected to grow in many industries as companies develop and introduce new media and technology into their training programs. Innovations in training methods and learning technology should continue throughout the next decade. For example, organizations increasingly use social media, visual simulations, and mobile learning in their training programs. Training and development specialists will need to modify their programs in order to fit a new generation of workers for whom technology is a part of daily life and work.
Because training and development contracting firms may have greater access to technical expertise in order to produce new training initiatives, some organizations outsource specific training efforts when internal staff or resources are not able to meet the training needs of the organization.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2020 | Projected Employment, 2030 | Change, 2020-30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Training and development specialists | 328,700 | 364,200 | 11 | 35,500 |
