Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
In addition to a bachelor’s degree, training and development specialists also need work experience and strong communication skills. PayThe median annual wage for training and development specialists was $69,280 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of training and development specialists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 46,000 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for training and development specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of training and development specialists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about training and development specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for training and development specialists was $69,280 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of training and development specialists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 46,000 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for training and development specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of training and development specialists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about training and development specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of training and development specialists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 46,000 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for training and development specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of training and development specialists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about training and development specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Training and development specialists plan and administer programs that improve the skills and knowledge of their employees.
Work Environment
Training and development specialists work in nearly every industry. They spend much of their time working with people, giving presentations, and leading training activities.
How to Become a Training and Development Specialist
In addition to a bachelor’s degree, training and development specialists also need work experience and strong communication skills.
Pay
The median annual wage for training and development specialists was $69,280 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of training and development specialists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 46,000 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for training and development specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of training and development specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about training and development specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Training and development specialists work in nearly every industry. They spend much of their time working with people, giving presentations, and leading training activities.
How to Become a Training and Development Specialist
In addition to a bachelor’s degree, training and development specialists also need work experience and strong communication skills.
Pay
The median annual wage for training and development specialists was $69,280 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of training and development specialists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 46,000 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for training and development specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of training and development specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about training and development specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for training and development specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of training and development specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about training and development specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about training and development specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.