Training and Development Manager
1. OVERVIEW
Training and Development Managers design, coordinate, and implement programs that improve the skills, productivity, and knowledge of employees. They assess organizational training needs, manage budgets, lead instructional staff, and evaluate training outcomes to align with business goals.
2024 Median Pay: $127,090/year ($61.10/hour)
Job Growth (2023–2033): +7% (faster than average)
Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree (often in business, HR, or related field)
2. ROLE BREAKDOWN BY LEVEL
ENTRY LEVEL
Job Titles: Training Specialist, Instructional Designer, Training Coordinator
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, education, HR
Experience: 0–2 years, often from HR or teaching roles
Certifications (Optional): ATD CPTD or APTD, SHRM CP, ISPI CET
Core Duties:
Conduct training needs assessments
Assist with developing course materials and e-learning modules
Schedule sessions and manage logistics
Evaluate effectiveness through surveys and feedback
Salary Range: $60,000–$80,000
MID LEVEL
Job Titles: Senior Training Specialist, Learning & Development Manager, Corporate Trainer
Education: Bachelor’s (Master’s preferred in HR or Organizational Development)
Experience: 3–6 years in training, HR, or related areas
Certifications: ATD CPTD, SHRM-SCP, ISPI CPT
Core Duties:
Own training programs end-to-end
Coach instructors and develop curriculum
Analyze learning metrics and conduct ROI assessments
Coordinate with leaders to align training with strategy
Salary Range: $80,000–$110,000
SENIOR LEVEL
Job Titles: Director of Training & Development, Talent Development Lead, Chief Learning Officer
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s (MBA or related)
Experience: 7+ years, including leadership and strategy
Certifications (Preferred): ATD CPTD, SHRM-SCP, advanced leadership/HCM credentials
Core Duties:
Define L&D vision and align with organizational goals
Manage budgets, vendors, and training teams
Drive leadership development and succession planning
Champion new learning technologies (e-learning, simulations)
Analyze functions and report on strategic impact
Salary Range: $110,000–$160,000+
3. HOW TO BECOME ONE
Minimum Education: Bachelor’s (HR, business, education, psychology)
Training Methods: Internships, HR rotations, professional certifications
Licenses/Certifications: ATD’s APTD/CPTD, SHRM CP/SCP, CPLP, ISPI CPT
Soft Skills: Communication, stakeholder management, instructional design, project management, evaluation
4. SKILLS & TOOLS
Core Skills:
Needs assessment & adult learning theory
Curriculum design & instructional strategies
Facilitation and presentation
Measurement & ROI analysis
Tools:
L&D: LMS platforms (Cornerstone, Moodle)
Content creation: Articulate, Captivate
Data: Excel, Power BI
Communication: Zoom, Teams
5. WORK ENVIRONMENT
Locations: Offices, training centers, onsite or remote client sites
Schedules: Typically full-time business hours; may include evenings/weekends
Conditions: Over 40 hr weeks during rollouts; travel common for multi-site organizations
6. JOB OUTLOOK
Demand Drivers: Continual upskilling needs, remote workforce, change management
Annual Openings: ~3,600/year through 2033
Growth Areas: Online learning, performance consulting, leadership development
7. RELATED OCCUPATIONS
Role: Training & Development Specialist | Salary: $65,850 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree
Role: Human Resources Manager | Salary: $140,030 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree
Role: Instructional Coordinator | Salary: $74,720 | Education Level: Master’s degree
Role: Career & Technical Education Teacher | Salary: $62,910 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree
8. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING & ADVANCEMENT
Certifications & Courses:
ATD APTD/CPTD (www.td.org)
SHRM CP/SCP & HRCI credentials
ISPI CPT
LinkedIn Learning: L&D and instructional design tracks
Books:
Telling Ain’t Training by Harold Stolovitch & Erica Keeps
Design For How People Learn by Julie Dirksen
The Adult Learner by Malcolm Knowles
Videos & Channels:
L&D Industry (YouTube)
Association for Talent Development webinars
Training magazine podcasts
Communities & Forums:
r/InstructionalDesign, r/LearnAndDev (Reddit)
ATD local chapters
LinkedIn groups: “Learning, Education and Training Professionals”
9. REGIONAL DATA & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS
BLS Profile: Training & Development Managers
CareerOneStop & Projections Central: Tools for state-by-state salary, openings, and license requirements
This guide equips professionals entering, advancing, or mastering the field of training and development with a strategic roadmap across roles, education, skills, and career growth.
