Training and Development Specialists

SOC: 13-1151 O*NET: 13-1151.00
Median Salary
$65,850
per year
Job Growth
🚀 10.8%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
43.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4

Design or conduct work-related training and development programs to improve individual skills or organizational performance. May analyze organizational training needs or evaluate training effectiveness.

What does a Training and Development Specialists do?

Design or conduct work-related training and development programs to improve individual skills or organizational performance. May analyze organizational training needs or evaluate training effectiveness.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$37,510
10th percentile
Early Career
$48,900
25th percentile
Median
$65,850
50th percentile
Experienced
$91,550
75th percentile
Top Earners
$120,190
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$37,510
25th
$48,900
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$65,850
Mean: $73,760
75th
$91,550
90th
$120,190
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $82,680 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $48,900 and $91,550
  • Salary spread is 64.8% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 436,610 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:452,300

Top Industries

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services12.2%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services12.2%
Food Services and Drinking Places8%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+10.8%
Annual Openings:43,900

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)452,300
Current
2034 (Projected)501,000
+10.8%
+48,700
Employment Change
+10.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: Faster than average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Training and Development Specialists professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
44,750 jobs$72,9300.88x
Texas
43,370 jobs$63,4501.11x
Florida
30,380 jobs$65,0101.09x
New York
25,510 jobs$73,5500.94x
North Carolina
19,360 jobs$60,7901.40x
Georgia
18,690 jobs$62,9301.36x
Ohio
16,670 jobs$63,7901.07x
Virginia
15,290 jobs$76,2501.33x
Illinois
14,480 jobs$63,5500.84x
Pennsylvania
13,570 jobs$64,6400.80x
Massachusetts
11,880 jobs$73,4801.15x
Colorado
11,040 jobs$72,7901.35x
Arizona
10,980 jobs$66,0001.21x
Michigan
10,870 jobs$63,5200.87x
Wisconsin
10,600 jobs$66,9901.28x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Faster than average growth expected
  • High current market demand

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Instructing
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Learning Strategies
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Social Perceptiveness
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Critical Thinking
54%
#9
Writing
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%

Skills Overview

Instructing
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Learning Strategies
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Critical Thinking
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Instructing

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Speaking

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Learning Strategies

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Social Perceptiveness

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Monitoring

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Judgment and Decision Making

intermediate
Importance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0

Critical Thinking

basic
Importance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0

Writing

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Active Learning

basic
Importance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors82%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Animal Trainers82%
5 shared skills
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Instructing
  • Speaking
  • Learning Strategies
  • Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
  • Monitoring
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Critical Thinking

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Instructing
  • Speaking
  • Learning Strategies
  • Active Listening

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Speaking
  • Learning Strategies
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Training and Development Specialists

Technology Intensity
Very High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires expert digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

IBM SPSS Statistics

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Dynamics

🔥 Hot Tech

MySQL

🔥 Hot Tech

Oracle PL/SQL

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Access

🔥 Hot Tech

Adobe InDesign

🔥 Hot Tech

Adobe Acrobat

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft SharePoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

Oracle PeopleSoft

🔥 Hot Tech

SAP software

🔥 Hot Tech

Adobe Creative Cloud software

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

IBM SPSS Statistics
Microsoft Dynamics
MySQL
Oracle PL/SQL
Microsoft Access
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Oracle PeopleSoft
SAP software
Adobe Creative Cloud software

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet high physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy some team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (7)Training & Development (5)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Analysis & Evaluation (4)Management & Supervision (1)Communication & Coordination (1)
1

Keep up with developments in area of expertise by reading current journals, books, or magazine articles.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
Planning & Development100% perform
2

Present information with a variety of instructional techniques or formats, such as role playing, simulations, team exercises, group discussions, videos, or lectures.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
Training & Development97% perform
3

Schedule classes based on availability of classrooms, equipment, or instructors.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Training & Development94% perform
4

Offer specific training programs to help workers maintain or improve job skills.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform
5

Monitor, evaluate, or record training activities or program effectiveness.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Analysis & Evaluation88% perform
6

Attend meetings or seminars to obtain information for use in training programs or to inform management of training program status.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Management & Supervision85% perform
7

Coordinate recruitment and placement of training program participants.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
Communication & Coordination82% perform
8

Evaluate training materials prepared by instructors, such as outlines, text, or handouts.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
Analysis & Evaluation79% perform
9

Develop alternative training methods if expected improvements are not seen.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Planning & Development76% perform
10

Assess training needs through surveys, interviews with employees, focus groups, or consultation with managers, instructors, or customer representatives.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
Analysis & Evaluation73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
  • 35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Training and Development Specialists

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Training and Development Specialists professionals typically have a SCI Holland code and highly value relationships

SSocial
CConventional
IInvestigative

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Training and Development Specialists

Dependability

Very Important

Dependability

Importance Level4.43

Cooperation

Very Important

Cooperation

Importance Level4.43

Integrity

Very Important

Integrity

Importance Level4.39

Adaptability/Flexibility

Very Important

Adaptability/Flexibility

Importance Level4.39

Self-Control

Very Important

Self-Control

Importance Level4.32

Leadership

Very Important

Leadership

Importance Level4.13

Complete Work Styles Profile

Dependability
4.4
Cooperation
4.4
Integrity
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Self-Control
4.3
Leadership
4.1
Initiative
4.1
Concern for Others
4.1
Analytical Thinking
4.0
Stress Tolerance
4.0

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years

Preparation Level

Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training:

Significant preparation with related work experience

💼 Experience Requirement

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in related field
  • Several years of work experience
  • Professional certifications often required
4

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required

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