Learning development specialist vs training consultant

The differences between learning development 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 development specialist and a training consultant. Additionally, a learning development specialist has an average salary of $73,541, which is higher than the $56,760 average annual salary of a training consultant.

The top three skills for a learning development specialist include training programs, project management and HR. The most important skills for a training consultant are training programs, training materials, and training sessions.

Learning development specialist vs training consultant overview

	Learning Development Specialist	Training Consultant
Yearly salary	$73,541	$56,760
Hourly rate	$35.36	$27.29
Growth rate	8%	8%
Number of jobs	81,817	52,054
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

What does a learning development specialist do?

Also called a learning specialist, a learning development specialist is someone who designs, executes, and organizes training programs. Learning development specialists see to it that the programs will help improve the performance of employees and that of organizational productivity. They design, establish, and direct employee discussions, simulations, and exercises. Also, they are the ones who prepare study guides, manuals, and text for employee training. The set of skills necessary for this job include leadership, management skills, communication skills, and attention to detail.

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 development specialist vs training consultant salary

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

	Learning Development Specialist	Training Consultant
Average salary	$73,541	$56,760
Salary range	Between $49,000 And $109,000	Between $38,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Newark, NJ
Highest paying state	New Jersey	New Jersey
Best paying company	Clifford Chance	Virtusa
Best paying industry	Finance	Finance

Differences between learning development specialist and training consultant education

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

	Learning Development Specialist	Training Consultant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Learning development specialist vs training consultant demographics

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

	Learning Development Specialist	Training Consultant
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 32.7% Female, 67.3%	Male, 48.1% Female, 51.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.3% White, 60.7% 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 development specialist and training consultant duties and responsibilities

Learning development specialist example responsibilities.

Work independently and as part of a team to achieve optimal learning retention on EMR systems within the hospital environment.
Lead experiential learning in supervisory skills, conflict management, leadership, team building and organization process effectiveness.
Create and update existing adult learning programs, workbooks, PowerPoint presentations.
Develop standards for job/task analysis, instructor-le training materials, train-the-trainer activities, course maintenance plans, and performance assessment/evaluation tools.
Process FMLA requests and letters.
Facilitate the creation of SharePoint portal and MyLearning.

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 development specialist vs training consultant skills

Common learning development specialist skills

Training Programs, 7%
Project Management, 6%
HR, 6%
Instructional Design, 5%
Subject Matter Experts, 5%
Organizational Development, 4%

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 Development Specialist
Learning Development Specialist vs Training Consultant

Updated January 8, 2025

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