Training and Development Manager Career Guide

What does a training and development manager do?

Training and development managers plan, direct and coordinate programs to improve employee skills and knowledge. The median pay is $133,000 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 5+ years of experience, and employment is projected to grow +6.4% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$133,000
$63.94/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+6.4%
2025–35, faster than average
Openings per year
4,100
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
5+ years of experience
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
50,200
Employment, 2025

What training and development managers do

Training and development managers lead learning at work. They find skills gaps, design training programs and leadership development, manage trainers and budgets, choose e-learning platforms and measure whether training improves results.

Most have a bachelor’s degree and five or more years of experience in training or HR. BLS projects faster than average growth.

Typical duties

Assess training needs
Design training programs
Lead trainers
Manage training budgets
Run leadership development
Choose learning platforms
Measure training results

Work environment and schedule

Managers work in offices and training rooms, and sometimes travel to sites.

Schedule: Full time, with some travel.

A day in the life

8:30 AMReview training completion data.
9:30 AMMeet sales leaders about skills gaps.
11:00 AMReview a new e-learning module.
1:00 PMCoach a trainer.

See a full day in the life of a training and development manager →

Training and Development Manager salary

Half of training and development managers earned more than $133,000 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $79,550 for the lowest 10% to $233,600 for the top 10%.

$79,55010th$133,000Median$233,60090th

Full training and development manager pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a training and development manager

Earn a bachelor’s
Work as a trainer
Design programs
Earn the CPTD
Become a manager

A bachelor’s degree in HR, education, business or a related field is typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a training and development manager →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Instructional design
Needs analysis
Facilitation
Learning technology
Program evaluation

People skills

Communication
Leadership
Creativity
Coaching

All training and development manager skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Help people grow
Faster-than-average growth
Creative program design
Good pay

Cons

Proving value
Budget cuts in downturns
Busy managers skip training
Travel

Certifications and licenses

CPTD: Certified Professional in Talent Development.
APTD: Associate credential.
SHRM credential: HR credential.
Instructional design certificate: Helpful.

Career path

Trainer: Teach.
Instructional Designer: Design.
Training Manager: Lead L&D.
Chief Learning Officer: Lead strategy.

Learn the job before day one

Our Training and Development Manager training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as run a training needs analysis and measure training with the kirkpatrick model, safety and how to land your first job.

View Training and Development Manager training Is this career right for me?

Corporate Trainer

Design and deliver training that helps employees learn their jobs.

$69,280
4 years or subject expertise plus training courses

Human Resources Manager

Lead hiring, employee relations and people programs for an organization.

$149,280
5+ years of HR experience

Instructional Coordinator

Improve teaching and learning by developing curriculum and coaching teachers.

$77,440
Master’s plus 5+ years of teaching

Human Resources Specialist

Recruit, hire, onboard and support employees while keeping the company compliant.

$75,940
1–4 years

Compare: Training and Development Manager vs. Corporate Trainer · Training and Development Manager vs. Human Resources Manager · Training and Development Manager vs. Instructional Coordinator · Training and Development Manager vs. HR Specialist

Training and Development Manager FAQ

What’s the CPTD?

A credential from the Association for Talent Development.

Is this field growing?

Yes, BLS projects faster than average growth.

Do I need teaching experience?

Training or teaching experience helps a lot.

How much does a training and development manager make?

The median annual wage for training and development managers was $133,000 ($63.94 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $79,550 and the highest 10% earned more than $233,600.

How long does it take to become a training and development manager?

Most people need about 5+ years of experience of training. A bachelor’s degree in HR, education, business or a related field is typical.

Do you need a degree to be a training and development manager?

Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.

More training and development manager questions →

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 11-3131 (Training and development managers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Training and development managers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Training and Development Manager