Training and Development Managers
Training and development managers plan, coordinate, and direct skills- and knowledge-enhancement programs for an organization’s staff.
Is training and development managers a good career?
It scores 32/100 and ranks #120 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($133,000 vs $61,390)
Possible tradeoffs
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
- Often needs prior experience (5 years or more)
What training and development managers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. training and development managers earn between $101,850 and $176,870 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live training and development managers jobs
No live training and development managers openings yet
When the jobs.best ATS feed launches, verified training and development managers openings will appear here — each shown against the $133,000 national median. Nothing here is placeholder.
No placeholder listings · nothing inventedHow to become a training and development manager
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow faster than average through 2034.
Education
Many positions require training and development managers to have a bachelor’s degree, but some jobs require a master’s degree. Although training and development managers come from a variety of educational backgrounds, these workers commonly have a bachelor’s degree in business, communications, social science, or a related field.
Some employers prefer or require training and development managers to have a master’s degree with a concentration in training and development, human resources management, organizational development, or business administration (MBA).
Training and development managers may also benefit from studying instructional design, behavioral psychology, or educational psychology.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Although it is not required for training and development managers, certification may show professional expertise. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have certification, and some positions require it.
Many professional associations for human resources professionals offer classes to enhance the skills of their members. Some associations specialize in training and development and offer certification programs.
Important qualities
Business skills. Training and development managers must understand business operations in order to match training with business goals. They also need to be able to plan and adhere to budgets.
Collaboration skills. Training and development managers need strong interpersonal skills for working with staff, trainees, subject matter experts, and organization leaders. They accomplish much of their work through teams.
Communication skills. Training and development managers must clearly convey information to diverse audiences. They also must be able to effectively instruct their staff.
Critical-thinking skills. Training and development managers use critical-thinking skills when assessing classes, materials, and programs. They must identify the training needs of an organization and make changes and improvements as required.
Decision-making skills. Training and development managers must select or create the best training programs to meet the needs of an organization. For example, they must review available training methods and materials and choose those that best fit each program.
Collaboration skills. Training and development managers need strong interpersonal skills because delivering training programs requires working in concert with staff, trainees, subject matter experts, and the organization’s leaders. They also accomplish much of their work through teams.
Instructional skills. Training and development managers need to understand the fundamentals of teaching and lesson planning. In addition to developing training, they may lead courses or seminars.
Leadership skills. Managers are often in charge of a staff and programs. They must be able to organize, motivate, and instruct those working for them.
Related occupations
How much do training and development managers make?
The national median wage is $133,000 a year, with the middle half earning between $101,850 and $176,870 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is training and development managers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 32 of 100 and ranks #120 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +5.8% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a training and development manager?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, usually with 5 years or more.
Where do training and development managers earn the most?
Among states, Delaware pays the highest median ($172,340). Local pay for every state and metro is below.