Training and Development Managers: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more

Education Required
Training and development managers need a bachelors degree for many positions, and some jobs require a masters degree. Although training and development managers come from a variety of educational backgrounds, it is most common for these workers to have bachelors degree in human resources, business administration, education, or a related field.
Job Outlook
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 10% (Faster than average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.)
Licenses/Certifications
Although training and development managers are not required to be certified, certification can show professional expertise and credibility. Some employers prefer to hire certified candidates, and some positions may require certification.
Median pay: How much do Training and Development Managers make?
$105,830 Annual Salary
$50.88 per hour

Training and development managers oversee staff and plan, direct, and coordinate programs to enhance the knowledge and skills of an organizations employees.

What do Training and Development Managers do?

Training and development managers typically do the following:

  • Oversee training and development staff
  • Assess employees needs for training
  • Align training with the organizations strategic goals
  • Create and manage training budgets
  • Develop and implement training programs that make the best use of available resources
  • Review and select training materials from a variety of vendors
  • Update training programs to ensure that they are relevant
  • Teach training methods and skills to instructors and supervisors
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and instructors

Training and development managers oversee training programs, staff, and budgets. They are responsible for creating or selecting course content and materials for training programs. Training may be in the form of a video, self-guided instructional manual, or online application and delivered in-person or through a computer, tablet, or other hand-held electronic device. Training may also be collaborative, with employees informally connecting with experts, mentors, and colleagues, often through social media or other online mediums. Managers must ensure that training methods, content, software, systems, and equipment are appropriate and meaningful.

Training and development managers typically supervise a staff of training and development specialists, such as instructional designers, program developers, and instructors. Managers teach training methods to specialists who, in turn, instruct the organizations employeesboth new and experienced. Managers direct the daily activities of specialists and evaluate their effectiveness. Although most managers primarily oversee specialists and training and development program operations, someparticularly those in smaller companiesmay also conduct training courses.

Training and development managers often confer with managers of other departments to identify training needs. They may work with top executives and financial officers to identify and match training priorities with overall business goals. They also prepare training budgets and ensure that expenses stay within budget.

Careers for Training and Development Managers

  • Development managers
  • E-learning managers
  • Education and training managers
  • Employee development directors
  • Employee development managers
  • Job training coordinators
  • Labor training managers
  • Skills training coordinators
  • Training managers
  • Workforce development directors

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