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The differences between training specialists and learning development 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 specialist and a learning development specialist. Additionally, a training specialist has an average salary of $77,231, which is higher than the $73,541 average annual salary of a learning development specialist.
The top three skills for a training specialist include customer service, training programs and training materials. The most important skills for a learning development specialist are training programs, project management, and HR.
| Training Specialist | Learning Development Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $77,231 | $73,541 |
| Hourly rate | $37.13 | $35.36 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 61,581 | 81,817 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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.
Training specialists and learning development specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Training Specialist | Learning Development Specialist | |
| Average salary | $77,231 | $73,541 |
| Salary range | Between $53,000 And $110,000 | Between $49,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Dallas, TX | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | CoreLogic | Clifford Chance |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a training specialist and a learning development specialist in terms of educational background:
| Training Specialist | Learning Development Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between training specialists' and learning development specialists' demographics:
| Training Specialist | Learning Development Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5% | Male, 32.7% Female, 67.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |