Training and development specialists design and deliver programs that help employees learn new skills and advance in their careers. You'll need a bachelor's degree and strong communication skills. The work is collaborative, in demand, and focuses on human growth.
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Training and development specialists create learning programs, teach employees, and coach people toward their professional goals. You'll communicate with supervisors and staff to understand skill gaps, design training content, and deliver instruction in classrooms or online. Your work involves staying current with industry trends, building relationships across the organization, and monitoring whether training actually improves performance. You'll use your knowledge of education methods, human resources, and psychology to make learning stick.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Training and Development Specialists earn a median of $69,280 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 11 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average for all occupations, with about 43,900 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree to enter this field. Focus on coursework in education, human resources, business, or psychology. During your studies, develop strong speaking, writing, and active listening skills. Seek internships or entry-level roles in training departments, HR, or corporate learning to build practical experience. Many specialists start in related HR roles and move into training as they gain expertise in adult learning and organizational development.
Most paths start with a bachelor's degree in education, HR, or a related field. Your next step depends on your background and timeline, so explore what fits your situation with Pathly can map the training and development specialist path that fits you and work through it with your counselor.
You do not need a license to work as a training and development specialist, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You thrive in roles centered on helping others grow. You're a natural communicator who enjoys building relationships, listening deeply, and supporting people through change and learning.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).