Training and Development Specialist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Training and Development Specialists Make?
Training and Development Specialists earn a median annual salary of $65,850 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $37,510 at the 10th percentile to $120,190 at the 90th percentile — a range of $82,680. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $84,460.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,510 |
| 25th percentile | $48,900 |
| Median (50th) | $65,850 |
| 75th percentile | $91,550 |
| 90th percentile | $120,190 |
Training and Development Specialist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $84,460 |
| Wyoming | $83,450 |
| Washington | $82,910 |
| Connecticut | $79,660 |
| Delaware | $79,320 |
| New Jersey | $76,660 |
| Virginia | $76,250 |
| Minnesota | $75,980 |
| Alaska | $75,010 |
| New York | $73,550 |
| Massachusetts | $73,480 |
| Maryland | $73,220 |
| California | $72,930 |
| Colorado | $72,790 |
| Rhode Island | $72,600 |
| New Hampshire | $71,740 |
| Oregon | $70,320 |
| Maine | $67,420 |
| Vermont | $67,180 |
| Wisconsin | $66,990 |
| Arizona | $66,000 |
| Alabama | $65,520 |
| Florida | $65,010 |
| Kansas | $64,670 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,640 |
| Nebraska | $64,520 |
| South Carolina | $64,020 |
| Ohio | $63,790 |
| Illinois | $63,550 |
| Michigan | $63,520 |
| Texas | $63,450 |
| Indiana | $63,440 |
| New Mexico | $63,090 |
| Georgia | $62,930 |
| Iowa | $62,440 |
| South Dakota | $62,170 |
| North Dakota | $61,880 |
| Hawaii | $61,410 |
| Oklahoma | $61,400 |
| West Virginia | $61,310 |
| Nevada | $60,970 |
| North Carolina | $60,790 |
| Utah | $60,510 |
| Montana | $59,900 |
| Kentucky | $58,650 |
| Missouri | $58,120 |
| Tennessee | $57,930 |
| Idaho | $57,740 |
| Louisiana | $57,020 |
| Mississippi | $52,160 |
| Arkansas | $48,330 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Training and Development Specialists
Training and Development Specialist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$37,510 – $48,900 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$65,850 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$91,550 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $120,190+ |
How to Earn More as a Training and Development Specialist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Training and Development Specialists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $97,530 — $31,680 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($91,550) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Training and Development Specialist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Training and Development Specialistthis career | $65,850 |
| Human Resources Manager | $140,030 |
| Training and Development Manager | $127,090 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $56,270 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $104,070 |
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SOC: 13-1151.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.