Learning design specialist vs training consultant

The differences between learning design specialists and training consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a learning design specialist and a training consultant. Additionally, a learning design specialist has an average salary of $72,967, which is higher than the $56,760 average annual salary of a training consultant.

The top three skills for a learning design specialist include blended learning, instructional design and subject matter experts. The most important skills for a training consultant are training programs, training materials, and training sessions.

Learning design specialist vs training consultant overview

	Learning Design Specialist	Training Consultant
Yearly salary	$72,967	$56,760
Hourly rate	$35.08	$27.29
Growth rate	8%	8%
Number of jobs	68,913	52,054
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

What does a learning design specialist do?

A learning design specialist is responsible for creating instructional materials according to the learner's curriculum and evaluate existing educational resources for further improvements needed. Learning design specialists facilitate the development of educational software tools and technology and coordinate with the educators for testing. They also attend conferences and train instructors in utilizing learning materials. A learning design specialist must have excellent communication skills, as well as extensive knowledge of the learning practices, to recommend teaching methods based on the curriculum's standards.

What does a training consultant do?

A training consultant's job is to prepare, evaluate, and execute an organization's employee education programs. Their duties and responsibilities may include developing instructional materials, identifying knowledge and skills gaps, and organizing learning activities. Other duties include selecting educational methods such as online courses and on-the-job coaching, organizing management training, and assessing the impact of this training on employee performance. The skills and qualifications for this role include a bachelor's degree in human resources management or a relevant field, previous work experience as a training consultant, and knowledge of learning management software.

Learning design specialist vs training consultant salary

Learning design specialists and training consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Learning Design Specialist	Training Consultant
Average salary	$72,967	$56,760
Salary range	Between $58,000 And $91,000	Between $38,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City	Olympia, WA	Newark, NJ
Highest paying state	Wyoming	New Jersey
Best paying company	McKinsey & Company Inc	Virtusa
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Finance

Differences between learning design specialist and training consultant education

There are a few differences between a learning design specialist and a training consultant in terms of educational background:

	Learning Design Specialist	Training Consultant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Learning design specialist vs training consultant demographics

Here are the differences between learning design specialists' and training consultants' demographics:

	Learning Design Specialist	Training Consultant
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7%	Male, 48.1% Female, 51.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.9% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between learning design specialist and training consultant duties and responsibilities

Learning design specialist example responsibilities.

Mentore designers and manage a portfolio of design projects including classroom, elearning, blend and virtual projects.
Lead experiential learning in supervisory skills, conflict management, leadership, team building and organization process effectiveness.
Collaborate with internal SMEs and customers around the world.
Work with various faculty, SMEs, trainers and program managers.
Design new or modify existing materials as required and ensure SCORM compliance.
Utilize SolidWorks to design 3-D major transmission parts such as rollers and synchronous belt etc.

Training consultant example responsibilities.

Lead training of enlist, officer, and warrant officer troops as well as DoD civilians.
Used Microsoft SharePoint, as an administrator, to store, manage, and electronically publish all documents.
Lead the migration of documents from windows explorer to a web-base document management software and coordinate training for staff.
Manage SharePoint governance with the use of site policies, record management, information management policies and configuring the content organizer.
Manage staff to evaluate emerging technologies, database and data storage strategies and develop training strategies and curriculum designs.
Provide technical writing support for ISD.

Learning design specialist vs training consultant skills

Common learning design specialist skills

Blended Learning, 11%
Instructional Design, 11%
Subject Matter Experts, 10%
Led Training, 6%
Project Management, 5%
Course Content, 5%

Common training consultant skills

Training Programs, 11%
Training Materials, 7%
Training Sessions, 5%
Project Management, 5%
Training Courses, 4%
Training Delivery, 3%

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Learning Design Specialist
Learning Design Specialist vs Training Consultant

Updated January 8, 2025

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