Training and Development Managers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Training and Development Managers fall under the Management category in the U.S. occupational classification. Training and Development Managers earn a median salary of $127,090 per year, ranking in the top 5% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +5.8% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do training and development managers earn?

The median annual wage for training and development managers is $127,090. That puts training and development managers at #42 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is training and development managers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for training and development managers is +5.8%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 46K positions in 2024 to 49K in 2034, a net change of 3K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do training and development managers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working training and development managers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Evaluate instructor performance and the effectiveness of training programs, providing recommendations for improvement.
2. 2.Plan, develop, and provide training and staff development programs, using knowledge of the effectiveness of methods such as classroom training, demonstrations, on-the-job training, meetings, conferences, and workshops.
3. 3.Develop and organize training manuals, multimedia visual aids, and other educational materials.
4. 4.Analyze training needs to develop new training programs or modify and improve existing programs.
5. 5.Confer with management and conduct surveys to identify training needs based on projected production processes, changes, and other factors.
6. 6.Train instructors and supervisors in techniques and skills for training and dealing with employees.
7. 7.Conduct orientation sessions and arrange on-the-job training for new hires.
8. 8.Develop testing and evaluation procedures.

Top skills for training and development managers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become training and development manager?

The standard path into training and development managers begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

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Common questions parents ask about training and development managers