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People Development and Learning Specialist I Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a People Development and Learning Specialist I in the United States is $60,350 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $74,430
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,130 to $67,720
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $44,646
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View as table View as graph 25% $52,130 10% $44,646 90% $74,430 75% $67,720 $60,350 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

People Development and Learning Specialist I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $67,720 $5,643 $1,302 $33
Average $60,350 $5,029 $1,161 $29
25th Percentile $52,130 $4,344 $1,003 $25
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Key Factors That Influence People Development and Learning Specialist I Salaries

A People Development and Learning Specialist I'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects People Development and Learning Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a People Development and Learning Specialist I'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:

  • People Development and Learning Specialist I (0-2 years): $60,346
  • Organizational Learning and Development Specialist II (2-4 years): $71,928
  • Organizational Learning and Development Specialist III (4-7 years): $99,099
  • Organizational Learning and Development Specialist IV (7+ years): $121,503
  • Organizational Learning and Development Specialist V (7-10 years): $141,943
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
People Development and Learning Specialist I0-2 years$60,346
Organizational Learning and Development Specialist II2-4 years$71,928
Organizational Learning and Development Specialist III4-7 years$99,099
Organizational Learning and Development Specialist IV7+ years$121,503
Organizational Learning and Development Specialist V7-10 years$141,943
$60,346 People De...
$71,928 Organizat...
$99,099 Organizat...
$121,503 Organizat...
$141,943 Organizat...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do People Development and Learning Specialist I 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 People Development and Learning Specialist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $66,820.
  • California: $66,570.
  • Massachusetts: $65,680.

Top Paying Cities for People Development and Learning Specialist Is

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: $76,120
  • San Francisco: $75,290
  • Oakland: $73,700

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.04% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Social Work (Mentioned in 2.4% Job Postings): Social work is an academic discipline and profession that concerns itself with individuals, families, groups and communities in an effort to enhance social functioning and overall well-being. Social functioning is the way in which people perform their social roles, and the structural institutions that are provided[by whom?] to sustain them. Social work applies social sciences, such as sociology, psychology, political science, public health, community development, law, and economics, to engage with client systems, conduct assessments, and develop interventions to solve social and personal problems; and to bring about social change. Social work practice is often divided[by whom?] into micro-work, which involves working directly with individuals or small groups; and macro-work, which involves working with communities, and - within social policy - fostering change on a larger scale.
  • Special Education (Mentioned in 1.15% Job Postings): Special education is the practice of educating students in a way that accommodates their individual differences, disabilities, and special needs.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.04%
Social Work 2.4%
Special Education 1.15%
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 People Development and Learning Specialist I's salary.
  • CRM: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
CRM
$74,834
24%
Accountability
$72,420
20%
Commitment
$67,592
12%
Economics
$66,989
11%
Financial Services
$66,989
11%
Onboarding
$65,782
9%
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People Development and Learning Specialist I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

People Development and Learning Specialist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $67,558. While startup companies pay approximate $57,153.

People Development and Learning Specialist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$57,153
Growth Stage51~500$60,446
Established501~5000$65,240
Enterprise5000+$67,558

People Development and Learning Specialist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For People Development and Learning Specialist I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 42% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 22% above the average. In contrast, People Development and Learning Specialist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view People Development and Learning Specialist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a People Development and Learning Specialist I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$73,627$35.022%
Internet$70,006$34.016%
Biotechnology$67,592$32.012%
Aerospace & Defense$66,988$32.011%
Energy & Utilities$66,385$32.010%

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

Understanding how a People Development and Learning Specialist I'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 August 01, 2026

People Development and Learning Specialist I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a People Development and Learning Specialist I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Organizational Learning and Development Specialist II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $72,000 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.

Salary Trends for People Development and Learning Specialist I

Salaries for a People Development and Learning Specialist I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $58,061 in 2023 to around $57,886 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of People Development and Learning Specialist I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of People Development and Learning Specialist I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$58,061
2024
$58,105
2025
$57,886
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $58,061
2024 $58,105
2025 $57,886
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for People Development and Learning Specialist I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for People Development and Learning Specialist I

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

Find Your Next People Development and Learning Specialist I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current People Development and Learning Specialist I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Internal Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare industry. Indu... more

    16 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

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    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

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    23 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

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    23 Days Ago

  • USPS

    Columbus, OH

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    29 Days Ago

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FAQ about People Development and Learning Specialist I

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for People Development and Learning Specialist I roles, with salaries approximately 22% above the market median.

2. How much does a 4 year specialist make?

A People Development and Learning Specialist with 4 years of experience typically earns between $58,930 and $74,270 annually, with a mid-salary of $66,160. While some cities like San Francisco and Santa Clara offer higher salaries, the general range for this role reflects the value of experience and expertise in the field.

3. How do I become an e learning developer?

To become an eLearning developer, you should understand adult learning principles and master instructional design models. Experience as an instructor is beneficial, along with specific computer programming or software certifications. Familiarity with LMS administration is also important. Salaries for this role typically range from $58,930 to $74,270, with a midpoint of $66,160.

4. What is the highest salary for learning and development?

The highest salary for a People Development and Learning Specialist is $74,270. The top 10% of employees in this role earn significantly more than the mid-salary of $66,160, which indicates strong earning potential in the field.

5. What do learning and development specialists do?

The learning and development specialist, also known as a training and development specialist, plays an operational role. They design, conduct, and organize training programs to enhance employee performance and boost organizational productivity. Salaries for this role typically range from $58,930 to $74,270, with a midpoint of $66,160.

6. What do learning and development specialists do?

The learning and development specialist, also known as a training and development specialist, plays an operational role. They design, conduct, and organize training programs to enhance employee performance and boost organizational productivity. Salaries for this role typically range from $58,930 to $74,270, with a midpoint of $66,160.

7. How much do L&D specialists make in the US?

In the US, the salary for a People Development and Learning Specialist ranges from $58,930 to $74,270, with a mid-salary of $66,160. These figures reflect the typical earnings for this role, providing a clear picture of the compensation landscape in the field.

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.)

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