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Director of Learning and Development Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director of Learning and Development in the United States is $201,049 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $97.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $235,620
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $182,124 to $219,145
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $164,894
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Director of Learning and Development Salaries

A Director of Learning and Development'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 of Learning and Development Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director of Learning and Development'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $103,427
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $120,883
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $163,472
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $199,718
  • Expert (over 8 years): $247,504
Levels Salary
Organizat... Level Director of Learning and Development$103,427
Organizat... Level Director of Learning and Development$120,883
Organizat... Level Director of Learning and Development$163,472
Director ... Level Director of Learning and Development$199,718
VP of Org... Level Director of Learning and Development$247,504
View as Graph

How Do Director of Learning and Development 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 of Learning and Developments. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $222,601.
  • California: $221,757.
  • Massachusetts: $218,802.

Top Paying Cities for Director of Learning and Developments

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: $253,583
  • San Francisco: $250,807
  • Oakland: $245,521

What Skills Can Increase a Director of Learning and Development'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 of Learning and Development'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 $219,143
9%
Analysis $215,122
7%
Insight $211,101
5%
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Director of Learning and Development Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Director of Learning and Development 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 of Learning and Development positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Director of Learning and Development as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Director of Learning and Development

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$261,364$126.030%
Financial Services$251,311$121.025%
Pharmaceuticals$241,259$116.020%
Biotechnology$231,206$111.015%
Energy & Utilities$221,154$106.010%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Director of Learning and Developments 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 of Learning and Development with a Bachelor's Degree is between $195,526 and $209,109).

Director of Learning and Development Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Director of Learning and Development
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 of Learning and Development Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director of Learning and Development'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
$182,124
Average $201,049/year
$219,145
$15,177
Average $16,754/month
$18,262
$3,502
Average $3,866/week
$4,214
$88
Average $97/hour
$105
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $219,145 $18,262 $4,214 $105
Average $201,049 $16,754 $3,866 $97
25th Percentile $182,124 $15,177 $3,502 $88

Most common benefits for Director of Learning and Development

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

Common company salaries for Director of Learning and Development

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

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FAQ about Director of Learning and Development

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

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

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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