Hiring Training and Development Specialists

What do training and development specialists do?

• Present information with a variety of instructional techniques or formats, such as role playing, simulations, team exercises, group discussions, videos, or lectures.
• Obtain, organize, or develop training procedure manuals, guides, or course materials, such as handouts or visual materials.
• Evaluate modes of training delivery, such as in-person or virtual, to optimize training effectiveness, training costs, or environmental impacts.
• Offer specific training programs to help workers maintain or improve job skills.
• Assess training needs through surveys, interviews with employees, focus groups, or consultation with managers, instructors, or customer representatives.
• Monitor, evaluate, or record training activities or program effectiveness.

Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 13-1151.00.

What does it take to become one?

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

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

O*NET Job Zone 4, SVP (7.0 to < 8.0). O*NET OnLine.

Employers commonly list experience with Learning management system LMS, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word for this role.

What do training and development specialists get paid?

BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for training and development specialists in 92 of the metro areas in this build. The median ranges from $41,790 to $104,770 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $66,560. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.

BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 13-1151.

What does hiring one cost?

The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest published median for training and development specialists in this build is $104,770. A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $20,954 to $31,431 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.

Frequently asked

How fast can a training and development specialists search fill?

23 to 35 days, 2 to 3x faster than a typical contingency search, per the recruiting provider's published figures.

What if the hire does not work out?

A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.