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Training manager vs training specialist

The differences between training managers and training 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 manager and a training specialist. Additionally, a training specialist has an average salary of $77,231, which is higher than the $73,453 average annual salary of a training manager.

The top three skills for a training manager include customer service, leadership and brainstorming. The most important skills for a training specialist are customer service, training programs, and training materials.

Training manager vs training specialist overview

Training ManagerTraining Specialist
Yearly salary$73,453$77,231
Hourly rate$35.31$37.13
Growth rate7%8%
Number of jobs121,52161,581
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4544
Years of experience44

What does a training manager do?

A training manager is responsible for directing new staff with the tasks and training programs, leading the business to its growth and profitable development. Training managers' duties include supervising the staff's performance and improvement, facilitating knowledge assessment and developmental training, sharing strategic plans and techniques, creating effective training manuals, monitoring training expenses, and evaluating areas of improvement. A training manager must have excellent leadership and communication skills, as well as extensive experience on how to improve the team's performance and enhance their capabilities.

What does a training specialist do?

As the name entails, training specialists are the ones who design and perform training programs that will foster employees' workplace performance and align with the core values of an organization. They have varied responsibilities, including identifying employee training needs, preparing teaching plans and developing an annual training program, and turning requirements into training to aid employees in their career development. They are also responsible for implementing training courses, staying up-to-date on the new tools and trends in employee development, and evaluating existing programs periodically.

Training manager vs training specialist salary

Training managers and training specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Training ManagerTraining Specialist
Average salary$73,453$77,231
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $119,000Between $53,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CADallas, TX
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew Jersey
Best paying companyMicrosoftCoreLogic
Best paying industryGovernmentTechnology

Differences between training manager and training specialist education

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

Training ManagerTraining Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Training manager vs training specialist demographics

Here are the differences between training managers' and training specialists' demographics:

Training ManagerTraining Specialist
Average age4544
Gender ratioMale, 52.8% Female, 47.2%Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 4.1% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 6.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage18%12%

Differences between training manager and training specialist duties and responsibilities

Training manager example responsibilities.

  • Assist in running multi-unit stores as needed, while still achieving sales plan at home store :
  • Calculate and lead team in analyzing business metrics, allowing for focuse store visits with positive ROI.
  • Manage and process information for owner/user agencies to include DoD facilities that require compliance with the NISPOM.
  • Train sales associates on how to market new products with existing store inventory, and manage all POS transactions.
  • Manage elearning program development from concept through implementation.
  • Supervise all restaurant operations including service, quality, cleanliness, sanitation, training, scheduling, and inventory control.
  • Show more

Training specialist example responsibilities.

  • Instruct representatives on how to maximize functionality of relational database to effectively manage their sales territories and expenses.
  • Develop training manuals and PowerPoint presentations for assign training projects using the ADDIE instructional design method.
  • Work as a technical trainer for undergraduate students for subjects such as JAVA, SQL, HTML and CSS.
  • Establish information technology help desk by developing reference tools and processes necessary to troubleshoot issues.
  • Train skilled operators to set-up, troubleshoot, and maintain several types of highly automate manufacturing equipment.
  • Develop corporate standards for software documentation, including standardization of job aids, PowerPoint presentations, and manuals.
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Training manager vs training specialist skills

Common training manager skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • Leadership, 8%
  • Brainstorming, 7%
  • Food Safety, 4%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Cash Control, 3%
Common training specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Training Programs, 9%
  • Training Materials, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Training Sessions, 5%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 5%

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