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The differences between training specialists and workforce 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 workforce development specialist. Additionally, a training specialist has an average salary of $77,231, which is higher than the $43,666 average annual salary of a workforce development specialist.
The top three skills for a training specialist include customer service, training programs and training materials. The most important skills for a workforce development specialist are social services, training programs, and HR.
| Training Specialist | Workforce Development Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $77,231 | $43,666 |
| Hourly rate | $37.13 | $20.99 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 61,581 | 80,041 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| 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.
A workforce development specialist is responsible for designing and conducting training and development programs to significantly improve organizational and individual performance. You will perform a few duties that include evaluating training delivery modes, such as virtual or in-person to optimize training effectiveness and costs, developing, obtaining, or organizing training guides and procedure manuals, and coordinating the placement of trainees. As a workforce development specialist, you also have to choose and assign training instructors and negotiating contracts with clients.
Training specialists and workforce development specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Training Specialist | Workforce Development Specialist | |
| Average salary | $77,231 | $43,666 |
| Salary range | Between $53,000 And $110,000 | Between $28,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | Dallas, TX | Roseville, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | CoreLogic | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a training specialist and a workforce development specialist in terms of educational background:
| Training Specialist | Workforce Development Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between training specialists' and workforce development specialists' demographics:
| Training Specialist | Workforce Development Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5% | Male, 33.6% Female, 66.4% |
| 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, 11.6% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 5.8% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |