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Training developer vs learning specialist

The differences between training developers and learning specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a training developer and a learning specialist. Additionally, a training developer has an average salary of $62,974, which is higher than the $57,035 average annual salary of a learning specialist.

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

Training developer vs learning specialist overview

Training DeveloperLearning Specialist
Yearly salary$62,974$57,035
Hourly rate$30.28$27.42
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs108,36938,229
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

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.

What does a learning specialist do?

Learning specialists are highly skilled teachers providing educational support to students who struggle academically at schools. They are responsible for working closely with students and their parents to develop a learning strategy suitable for a student's learning style to improve their grades and academic progress. Other responsibilities of a learning specialist include educating teachers and parents on learning differences, communicating with teachers and parents regularly about a student's progress, and keeping abreast of current teaching methods.

Training developer vs learning specialist salary

Training developers and learning specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Training DeveloperLearning Specialist
Average salary$62,974$57,035
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $89,000Between $37,000 And $87,000
Highest paying CityArlington, VANewark, NJ
Highest paying stateVirginiaNew Jersey
Best paying companyTandem Diabetes CareMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyInsurance

Differences between training developer and learning specialist education

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

Training DeveloperLearning Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorthwestern University

Training developer vs learning specialist demographics

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

Training DeveloperLearning Specialist
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 56.6% Female, 43.4%Male, 32.8% Female, 67.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.3% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between training developer and learning specialist duties and responsibilities

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.
  • Show more

Learning specialist example responsibilities.

  • Lead strategic planning for eLearning initiatives and manage company-wide training for laboratory information system update.
  • Manage the integration of the student information system Jenzabar CX/JICS with Moodle.
  • Lead experiential learning in supervisory skills, conflict management, leadership, team building and organization process effectiveness.
  • Instruct on how to create PowerPoint presentations and debate an argument during an oral defense.
  • Develop individualized education plans for students who receive math intervention services.
  • Tutor and advise undergraduate level courses in introductory statistics and mathematics.
  • Show more

Training developer vs learning specialist skills

Common training developer skills
  • Training Materials, 10%
  • Training Development, 6%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 6%
  • Training Programs, 6%
  • Instructional Design, 6%
  • Blended Learning, 5%
Common learning specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Instructional Design, 4%

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