What is a Training or Development Specialist?
Training or Development Specialist Definition Design and conduct training and development programs to improve individual and organizational performance. May analyze training needs.
Training or Development Specialist Responsibilities
- Negotiate contracts with clients including desired training outcomes, fees, or expenses.
- Monitor training costs and prepare budget reports to justify expenditures.
- Attend meetings or seminars to obtain information for use in training programs or to inform management of training program status.
- Develop or implement training programs related to efficiency, recycling, or other issues with environmental impacts.
- Select and assign instructors to conduct training.
- Evaluate modes of training delivery, such as in-person or virtual to optimize training effectiveness, training costs, or environmental impacts.
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What Every Training or Development Specialist Should Know
When polled, Training and Development Specialists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Other Training or Development Specialist Job Titles
- E-Learning Developer
- Training Personnel Supervisor
- Training Consultant
- Training Facilitator
- Courseware Developer
Training or Development Specialist Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 282,800 jobs in the United States for Training or Development Specialist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 32,500 new jobs for Training or Development Specialist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 31,700 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Training or Development Specialist are Utah, Nevada, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, West Virginia, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Training and Development Specialists Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of a Training or Development Specialist ranges between $32,950 and $102,740.

Training and Development Specialists who work in Washington, New Jersey, or Rhode Island, make the highest salaries.
How much do Training and Development Specialists make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $60,280 |
Alaska | $49,310 |
Arizona | $61,460 |
Arkansas | $52,870 |
California | $73,040 |
Colorado | $72,210 |
Connecticut | $74,890 |
Delaware | $69,440 |
District of Columbia | $76,690 |
Florida | $57,100 |
Georgia | $64,420 |
Hawaii | $68,930 |
Idaho | $58,730 |
Illinois | $64,790 |
Indiana | $57,240 |
Iowa | $53,210 |
Kansas | $60,650 |
Kentucky | $54,240 |
Louisiana | $55,970 |
Maine | $54,360 |
Maryland | $67,420 |
Massachusetts | $75,270 |
Michigan | $61,090 |
Minnesota | $65,420 |
Mississippi | $55,590 |
Missouri | $61,210 |
Montana | $58,330 |
Nebraska | $58,740 |
Nevada | $60,700 |
New Hampshire | $66,330 |
New Jersey | $74,760 |
New Mexico | $56,520 |
New York | $69,910 |
North Carolina | $65,480 |
North Dakota | $59,830 |
Ohio | $59,540 |
Oklahoma | $54,640 |
Oregon | $65,740 |
Pennsylvania | $65,430 |
Rhode Island | $73,650 |
South Carolina | $58,010 |
South Dakota | $50,700 |
Tennessee | $59,460 |
Texas | $65,960 |
Utah | $54,480 |
Vermont | $65,860 |
Virginia | $72,320 |
Washington | $76,800 |
West Virginia | $50,640 |
Wisconsin | $55,070 |
Wyoming | $64,430 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Training and Development Specialists
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Training and Development Specialists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- MySQL
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Dynamics
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Publisher
How to Become a Training or Development Specialist
Are there Training and Development Specialists education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Training or Development Specialist?

Who Employs Training and Development Specialists?

Below are examples of industries where Training and Development Specialists work:

Related Careers
Those interested in being a Training or Development Specialist may also be interested in:
- Directors, Religious Activities and Education
- Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School
- Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School
Career changers with experience as a Training or Development Specialist sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Arunkumar Umapathy via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
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