Staff Development Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Staff Development Specialist make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Staff Development Specialist in the United States is $100,692 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $114,697
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $87,379 to $108,023
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $75,259
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View as table View as graph 25% $87,379 10% $75,259 90% $114,697 75% $108,023 $100,692 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Staff Development Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $108,023 $9,002 $2,077 $52
Average $100,692 $8,391 $1,936 $48
25th Percentile $87,379 $7,282 $1,680 $42
Check out Staff Development Specialist Job Openings in the United States
Business Development Specialist

City Wide Facility Solutions - Columbus, OH

Business Development Specialist

Miller's Textile Services, Inc. - Columbus, OH

Regional Business Development Specialist

USJEDU Group - Columbus, OH

Business Development Specialist

Abbott Laboratories Employees Credit Union - Columbus, OH

Search More Staff Development Specialist Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Staff Development Specialist Salaries

A Staff Development Specialist'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 Staff Development Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Staff Development Specialist'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): $61,879
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $73,755
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $101,616
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $124,589
  • Expert (over 8 years): $145,548
Levels Salary
Organizat... Level Staff Development Specialist$61,879
Organizat... Level Staff Development Specialist$73,755
Staff Dev... Level Staff Development Specialist$101,616
Organizat... Level Staff Development Specialist$124,589
Organizat... Level Staff Development Specialist$145,548
$61,879 0 yr
$73,755 < 2 yrs
$101,616 2-4 yrs
$124,589 5-8 yrs
$145,548 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Staff Development Specialist 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 Staff Development Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $111,486.
  • California: $111,063.
  • Massachusetts: $109,583.

Top Paying Cities for Staff Development Specialists

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: $127,003
  • San Francisco: $125,612
  • Oakland: $122,965

What Skills Can Increase a Staff Development Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.34% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Change Management (Mentioned in 1.37% Job Postings): Change management (sometimes abbreviated as CM) is a collective term for all approaches to prepare , support and help individuals, teams, and organizations in making organizational change. The most common change drivers include: technological evolution, process reviews, crisis, and consumer habit changes; pressure from new business entrants, acquisitions, mergers, and organizational restructuring. It includes methods that redirect or redefine the use of resources, business process, budget allocations, or other modes of operation that significantly change a company or organization. Organizational change management (OCM) considers the full organization and what needs to change, while change management may be used solely to refer to how people and teams are affected by such organizational transition. It deals with many different disciplines, from behavioral and social sciences to information technology and business solutions.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.25% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.34%
Change Management 1.37%
PowerPoint 1.25%
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 Staff Development Specialist's salary.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Consulting Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting
$108,747
8%
Alignment
$108,747
8%
Consulting Management
$107,740
7%
Agile
$106,734
6%
Analysis
$105,727
5%
Change Management
$105,727
5%
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Staff Development Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Staff Development Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Staff Development Specialist positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Staff Development Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Staff Development Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$151,038$73.050%

How Education impacts a Staff Development Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Staff Development Specialists 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 Staff Development Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $97,079 and $103,487).

Staff Development Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Staff Development Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 1.8%
Associates 1.4%
Bachelors 23.9%
Masters 61.0%
Doctorate 11.7%
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Staff Development Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Staff Development Specialist'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

Salary Trends for Staff Development Specialist

Salaries for a Staff Development Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $88,954 in 2023 to around $89,193 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Staff Development Specialist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Staff Development Specialist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$88,954
2024
$89,421
2025
$89,193
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $88,954
2024 $89,421
2025 $89,193
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Staff Development Specialist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Staff Development Specialist

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

Find Your Next Staff Development Specialist Job

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

United States
  • HungryPanda

    Columbus, OH

    HungryPanda | Columbus, OH

    Business Development - Mandarin SpeakingFounded in 2017, HungryPanda is currently the largest overseas Asian food delivery platform. Starting in Nottingham... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Sinclair Broadcast Group

    Columbus, OH

    Sinclair Broadcast Group | Columbus, OH

    Media Sales Specialist. The AMP Sales & Marketing Solutions, we believe a great workplace isn't just something we say it's something you can feel when you ... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Copper Run Capital LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Copper Run Capital LLC | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Ready to Launch Your Career in Investment Banking. If you're an SDR, BDR, or inside-sales pro with a competitive streak a... more

    6 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Emergency Medicine Physician Needed near Columbus, Ohio. An excellent opportunity for a full-time EM Physician to join an Emergency Department team near Co... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Continuum Medical Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Continuum Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    PSYCHIATRIST- CHILD/ADOLESCENT COLUMBUS OHIO We are seeking a Board-Certified Child/ Adolescent Psychiatrist for a permanent position in Columbus Ohio No V... more

    3 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    15 Days Ago

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FAQ about Staff Development Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Staff Development Specialist?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Staff Development Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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