Training and Development Specialist Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $99,727 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $97,797 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $91,363 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $88,789 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $84,929 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $83,642 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $82,355 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $80,425 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $78,495 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $73,991 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $73,991 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $73,348 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $72,061 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $70,774 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $70,774 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $69,487 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $67,557 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $67,557 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $65,627 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $65,627 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $64,340 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $64,340 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $63,697 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $63,697 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $63,053 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $61,123 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $61,123 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $59,836 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $59,836 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $59,836 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $59,193 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $59,193 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $58,549 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $57,906 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $56,619 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $56,619 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $56,619 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $56,619 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $56,619 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $56,619 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $55,976 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $55,976 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $55,976 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $55,332 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $54,689 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $54,689 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $54,046 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $53,402 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $53,402 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $51,472 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $50,185 | -22.0% | High |
A Training and Development Specialist's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Training and Development Specialists typically earn $41,216–$54,958 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $85,877–$97,971 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Training and Development Specialist role currently has high demand in the job market with a 3.8% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Human Resources sector.
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What is the average salary for a Training and Development Specialist?The average salary for a Training and Development Specialist in the United States is $64,340 per year, with a median of $62,220.
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What is the starting salary for a Training and Development Specialist?Entry-level Training and Development Specialists typically earn between $41,216 and $54,958 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Training and Development Specialists the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Training and Development Specialists the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Training and Development Specialist make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $64,340, a Training and Development Specialist earns approximately $30.93 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Training and Development Specialist a good career in 2026?Yes — the Training and Development Specialist role has high demand with 3.8% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.