What Does a Training Specialist Do?
A laminated cheat sheet next to the phones is sometimes worth more to a busy front desk than a full workshop, and a training specialist knows which one the staff need. Training specialists talk to managers to find the skills staff are missing, then build the workshops, videos and job aids that teach those skills, in a training room or online.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Computer Training Specialist, Corporate Trainer, Job Training Specialist, Leadership Development Specialist, Learning and Development Consultant, Learning and Development Specialist (L and D Specialist), Management Development Specialist, Trainer.
Training Specialist Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a training specialist include:
- Interview managers and staff to find the skills gaps a course should close.
- Design workshops, e-learning modules and job aids around clear, measurable learning goals.
- Build online courses in Articulate Storyline or Rise and load them into the learning management system.
- Lead new employee orientation and explain policies, systems and safety rules.
- Teach staff to use new software, such as student records or purchasing systems, in hands-on sessions.
- Track attendance, completions and quiz scores, and send reminders about required compliance training.
- Evaluate each course with surveys and follow-up checks, then revise weak sections.
- Write facilitator guides so managers and peer trainers can run sessions consistently.
- Coach new supervisors on feedback, delegation and handling difficult conversations.
- Book rooms, projectors and catering, and print handouts before each session.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a training specialist, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Instructional design models such as ADDIE
- Course-building tools such as Articulate 360 or Camtasia
- Learning management systems such as Canvas, Moodle or Cornerstone
- Confident, clear presenting to groups of any size
- Writing plain, step-by-step job aids
- Needs analysis and course evaluation
- Patience with nervous or reluctant learners
- APTD or CPTD credential (optional)
Education and Training
To do well as a training specialist, you should have a bachelor's degree in education, human resources or communication and a flair for turning dry material into clear lessons. You will be part teacher and part planner. With experience, you could progress from training specialist to training manager or instructional designer.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $50,110 - $95,050 per year, with a median of $69,280.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Training and Development Specialists.
BLS projects employment of training and development specialists to grow about 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, with roughly 46,000 openings a year. Demand will grow for several reasons, including new hires to bring up to speed; new systems, such as HR and finance software; and compliance training, as rules on safety and privacy change. To stand out, you need to show employers examples of courses you have built and delivered.
Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, Training and development specialists.
Training Specialist Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $38,760 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $50,110 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $69,280 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $95,050 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $123,250 |
Highest-Paying States for Training Specialists
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are Delaware ($88,570), New Hampshire ($86,050), Washington ($81,860), Alaska ($81,860), District of Columbia ($80,980). Pay is lowest in Louisiana ($58,070), Mississippi ($53,680), Arkansas ($52,290).
Median pay in all 51 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $64,490 |
| Alaska | $81,860 |
| Arizona | $67,140 |
| Arkansas | $52,290 |
| California | $75,790 |
| Colorado | $75,790 |
| Connecticut | $78,080 |
| Delaware | $88,570 |
| District of Columbia | $80,980 |
| Florida | $71,990 |
| Georgia | $67,320 |
| Hawaii | $60,960 |
| Idaho | $61,720 |
| Illinois | $67,380 |
| Indiana | $61,050 |
| Iowa | $66,110 |
| Kansas | $62,010 |
| Kentucky | $61,390 |
| Louisiana | $58,070 |
| Maine | $65,680 |
| Maryland | $76,370 |
| Massachusetts | $80,270 |
| Michigan | $64,350 |
| Minnesota | $76,710 |
| Mississippi | $53,680 |
| Missouri | $58,670 |
| Montana | $62,880 |
| Nebraska | $65,700 |
| Nevada | $61,350 |
| New Hampshire | $86,050 |
| New Jersey | $77,020 |
| New Mexico | $62,900 |
| New York | $76,080 |
| North Carolina | $65,250 |
| North Dakota | $63,260 |
| Ohio | $64,780 |
| Oklahoma | $61,040 |
| Oregon | $76,360 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,350 |
| Rhode Island | $75,910 |
| South Carolina | $63,070 |
| South Dakota | $61,570 |
| Tennessee | $62,280 |
| Texas | $62,860 |
| Utah | $60,900 |
| Vermont | $77,800 |
| Virginia | $77,690 |
| Washington | $81,860 |
| West Virginia | $64,960 |
| Wisconsin | $70,770 |
| Wyoming | $69,380 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as training and development specialists about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 100% use email every day
- 86% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 70% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 70% speak in front of groups at least once a week
- 67% spend more than half the workday sitting
- 52% are on the phone every day
- 39% usually work more than 40 hours a week
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 78% |
| High school diploma or GED | 9% |
| Associate's degree | 9% |
Tools and Software Training Specialists Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy helping, teaching or caring for people as well as organized work with data, records and clear procedures.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Speaking, Instructing, Learning Strategies, Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Reading Comprehension.
Knowledge areas used most: Education and Training, Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Personnel and Human Resources, Administration and Management.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 4 of 5, which means considerable preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
Applying for a Training Specialist Job
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 13-1151.00 (Training and Development Specialists). View on O*NET OnLine.
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