Training and development specialists
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Training and development specialists in the United States earn a median salary of $69,280 per year — about $33 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 452K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +11%.
AI & Automation Risk
Much of the core work, such as designing training manuals, creating online learning modules, and assessing needs through data, is digital and highly susceptible to AI automation and augmentation. While the role requires interpersonal skills for live delivery and collaboration, AI can now generate curriculum, simulate training scenarios, and personalize learning paths, significantly increasing individual productivity and potentially reducing the number of specialists needed for content creation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dothan, ALBEST VALUE | $120,020 | Below avg (87.4) | $137,386 |
| Decatur, AL | $93,230 | Below avg (89.2) | $104,516 |
| Casper, WY | $94,070 | Below avg (92.5) | $101,656 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $98,280 | Average (98.9) | $99,388 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $85,610 | Below avg (87.3) | $98,073 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $104,770 | Above avg (113.1) | $92,668 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $80,550 | Below avg (87.1) | $92,496 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $94,440 | Average (102.7) | $91,938 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $79,290 | Below avg (88.0) | $90,080 |
| Peoria, IL | $76,880 | Below avg (88.8) | $86,543 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $76,770 | Below avg (88.8) | $86,498 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $78,610 | Below avg (91.2) | $86,154 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $74,640 | Below avg (87.2) | $85,615 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $85,320 | Average (100.7) | $84,731 |
| Mankato, MN | $74,180 | Below avg (87.6) | $84,635 |