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Director People Development and Learning Salary in the United States

How much does a Director People Development and Learning make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director People Development and Learning in the United States is $198,190 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $95.

However, a Director People Development and Learning's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $232,005
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $178,990 to $215,890
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $161,509
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Director People Development and Learning Salaries

A Director People Development and Learning's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Director People Development and Learning Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director People Development and Learning's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Supervisor Organizational Learning and Development (10+ years): $102,616
  • Manager Organizational Learning and Development (10+ years): $119,936
  • Organizational Development Senior Manager (10+ years): $162,191
  • Director People Development and Learning (10+ years): $198,153
  • Organizational Learning and Development Executive (10+ years): $245,564
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Supervisor Organizational Learning and Development10+ years$102,616
Manager Organizational Learning and Development10+ years$119,936
Organizational Development Senior Manager10+ years$162,191
Director People Development and Learning10+ years$198,153
Organizational Learning and Development Executive10+ years$245,564
View as Graph

How Do Director People Development and Learning Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Director People Development and Learnings. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $219,390.
  • California: $218,590.
  • Massachusetts: $215,690.

Top Paying Cities for Director People Development and Learnings

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $249,990
  • San Francisco: $247,190
  • Oakland: $241,990

What Skills Can Increase a Director People Development and Learning's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 11.93% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Nursing Care (Mentioned in 2.98% Job Postings): Nursing Care means assistance provided for the health care needs of sick or disabled individuals, by or under the direction of licensed nursing personnel.
  • Organizational Development (Mentioned in 1.39% Job Postings): Process of developing, implementing, and evaluating organizational strategies, structures, and procedures to create overall growth and development.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 11.93%
Nursing Care 2.98%
Organizational Development 1.39%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Director People Development and Learning's salary.

  • Healthcare Industry: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Healthcare Industry $216,027
9%
Analysis $212,063
7%
Insight $208,100
5%
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Director People Development and Learning Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Director People Development and Learning salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $221,486. While startup companies pay approximate $187,354.

Director People Development and Learning Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $187,354
Growth Stage 51~500 $198,146
Established 501~5000 $213,873
Enterprise 5000+ $221,486

Director People Development and Learning Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Director People Development and Learning roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Director People Development and Learning positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Director People Development and Learning as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Director People Development and Learning

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$257,647$124.030%
Financial Services$247,738$119.025%
Pharmaceuticals$237,828$114.020%
Biotechnology$227,918$110.015%
Energy & Utilities$218,009$105.010%

How Education impacts a Director People Development and Learning's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Director People Development and Learnings enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Director People Development and Learning with a Bachelor's Degree is between $194,559 and $208,071).

Director People Development and Learning Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Director People Development and Learning
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.2%
High School 1.2%
Associates 0.6%
Bachelors 18.9%
Masters 61.9%
Doctorate 17.4%
View as Graph

Director People Development and Learning Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director People Development and Learning's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$178,990
Average $198,190/year
$215,890
$14,916
Average $16,516/month
$17,991
$3,442
Average $3,811/week
$4,152
$86
Average $95/hour
$104
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $215,890 $17,991 $4,152 $104
Average $198,190 $16,516 $3,811 $95
25th Percentile $178,990 $14,916 $3,442 $86

Director People Development and Learning Salary Growth & Career Path

Director People Development and Learning

Next Role

For a Director People Development and Learning, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Organizational Learning and Development Executive role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $245,590 - a projected growth of 24% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Director People Development and Learning

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Director People Development and Learning

Here are companies hiring for Director People Development and Learning and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Director People Development and Learning

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Director People Development and Learning?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Director People Development and Learning roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What is the highest salary for a learning and development manager?

The highest salary for a Director of People Development and Learning is $234,890. In comparison, while some sources report Learning and Development Manager salaries reaching up to $134,500, the majority earn between $83,500 and $115,500, with top earners making around $128,000 annually.

3. What is the highest paid program manager?

The highest paid program manager positions typically offer salaries ranging from $184,390 to $234,890. Companies like Dropbox, NVIDIA, and Roku lead the market, with total pay often exceeding $200K. For instance, Dropbox offers salaries between $208K and $313K, while NVIDIA ranges from $211K to $306K, reflecting the competitive landscape for top talent in this field.

4. How much does a learning and development specialist make in Dubai?

In Dubai, the salary for a Director of People Development and Learning ranges from AED 184,390 to AED 234,890 annually, with a mid-range salary of AED 208,690. This reflects the higher level of responsibility and expertise required for this role compared to a Learning and Development Specialist.

5. How do I become a learning and development specialist?

To become a learning and development specialist, you typically need a bachelor's degree in fields like organizational development, human resources, education, social science, psychology, or communications. The salary for a Director of People Development and Learning ranges from $184,390 to $234,890, with a midpoint of $208,690, reflecting the value of expertise in this area.

6. What is the highest paying position in education?

The highest paying position in education is the Director of People Development and Learning, with a salary range from $184,390 to $234,890. This role surpasses other positions such as School Principal, averaging $129,000, and University Administrator, averaging $82,000, making it a top choice for those in the education sector.

7. What is the job role of director of development?

A Director of People Development and Learning is responsible for enhancing employee skills and fostering a culture of continuous learning within an organization. Key duties include designing training programs, assessing development needs, and leading initiatives to improve workforce performance. The salary for this role ranges from $184,390 to $234,890, with a midpoint of $208,690.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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