Learning development specialist vs training developer

The differences between learning development specialists and training developers 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 developer. Additionally, a learning development specialist has an average salary of $73,541, which is higher than the $62,974 average annual salary of a training developer.

The top three skills for a learning development specialist include training programs, project management and HR. The most important skills for a training developer are training materials, training development, and subject matter experts.

Learning development specialist vs training developer overview

	Learning Development Specialist	Training Developer
Yearly salary	$73,541	$62,974
Hourly rate	$35.36	$30.28
Growth rate	8%	8%
Number of jobs	81,817	108,369
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
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 developer do?

A training developer is responsible for organizing process training and development programs for the employees. Training developers coordinate with the management to identify training criteria and processes that would fit the company's goals and objectives. They create engaging content and learning materials, as well as assessing the employees' learning by conducting activities that will test their knowledge of the subject. A training developer should have excellent communication and organizational skills, ensuring efficient training methods within the management's budget requirements and specifications.

Learning development specialist vs training developer salary

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

	Learning Development Specialist	Training Developer
Average salary	$73,541	$62,974
Salary range	Between $49,000 And $109,000	Between $44,000 And $89,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Arlington, VA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Virginia
Best paying company	Clifford Chance	Tandem Diabetes Care
Best paying industry	Finance	Technology

Differences between learning development specialist and training developer education

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

	Learning Development Specialist	Training Developer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Learning development specialist vs training developer demographics

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

	Learning Development Specialist	Training Developer
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 32.7% Female, 67.3%	Male, 56.6% Female, 43.4%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 6.3% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between learning development specialist and training developer 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 developer example responsibilities.

Manage documents on SharePoint site.
Lead the virtualization of military training exercises and provide periods of instruction using virtual simulations.
Create computer graphics for the lessons using Photoshop.
Create individual tasks and task management of DoD training products.
Develop CBTs and maintain the SCORM base LMS as necessary.
Create css templates for online courses in the Brainhoney LMS.

Learning development specialist vs training developer 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 developer skills

Training Materials, 10%
Training Development, 6%
Subject Matter Experts, 6%
Training Programs, 6%
Instructional Design, 6%
Blended Learning, 5%

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Learning Development Specialist
Learning Development Specialist vs Training Developer

Updated January 8, 2025

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