What are the main factors that influence a Workforce Development Specialist's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Workforce Development Specialist?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Workforce Development Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 32% above the market median.

How does experience change A Workforce Development Specialist's salary?

A Workforce Development Specialist's salary grows with experience: a Workforce Development Specialist (0-2 years)earns $63,414, a Training Specialist II (2-4 years)earns $77,621, a Training Specialist III (4-7 years)earns $95,514, a Training Specialist IV (7+ years)earns $122,761, a Training Manager (7+ years)earns $109,555,

What are the highest paying states for a Workforce Development Specialist?

Workforce Development Specialist salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Workforce Development Specialist roles are District of Columbia $64,021, California $63,778, Massachusetts $62,928. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Workforce Development Specialist roles make?

Salaries for Workforce Development Specialist level roles vary by specialization: Director Of Workforce Development: $219,410; Workforce Development Director: $210,618; Workforce Development Manager: $112,169; Workforce Management Specialist: $111,136; Workforce Analyst III: $110,463.

Workforce Development Specialist Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Workforce Development Specialist make in District of Columbia?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Workforce Development Specialist in District of Columbia is $64,021 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,767
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $57,318 to $72,263
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,217

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Workforce Development Specialist Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$72,263	$6,022	$1,390	$35
Average	$64,021	$5,335	$1,231	$31
25th Percentile	$57,318	$4,777	$1,102	$28

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Workforce Development Specialist Salaries

A Workforce 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Workforce Development Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Workforce 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): $63,414
Early Career (1-2 years): $77,621
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $95,514
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $122,761
Expert (over 8 years): $109,555

Levels	Salary
Workforce... Level Workforce Development Specialist	$63,414
Training ... Level Workforce Development Specialist	$77,621
Training ... Level Workforce Development Specialist	$95,514
Training ... Level Workforce Development Specialist	$122,761
Training ... Level Workforce Development Specialist	$109,555

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What Am I Worth?

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

District of Columbia: $64,021.
California: $63,778.
Massachusetts: $62,928.

District of Columbia $64,021 California $63,778 Massachusetts $62,928 Washington $62,696 New Jersey $62,673 Alaska $62,592 Connecticut $61,794 New York $61,471

Hawaii $60,436 Rhode Island $59,950 Maryland $59,620 Minnesota $59,169 Colorado $58,996 Illinois $58,938 Oregon $58,718 Delaware $58,556

New Hampshire $58,455 Virginia $58,227 Pennsylvania $57,562 Nevada $57,226 North Dakota $57,117 Michigan $56,943 Wisconsin $56,880 Vermont $56,752

Texas $56,400 Maine $56,376 Arizona $56,342 Ohio $56,301 Georgia $55,769 Indiana $55,503 Wyoming $55,451 Utah $55,370

Iowa $55,336 Kansas $55,058 Louisiana $54,977 North Carolina $54,948 Missouri $54,937 Florida $54,711 Montana $54,590 Nebraska $54,474

Kentucky $54,411 South Carolina $54,179 Tennessee $54,035 Idaho $53,977 New Mexico $53,555 Oklahoma $53,462 Alabama $53,121 South Dakota $52,549

Arkansas $52,236 West Virginia $52,069 Mississippi $51,566

Top Paying Cities for Workforce 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:

Parcel Return Service: $63,673
Washington: $63,674
Naval Anacost Annex: $63,671

Parcel Return Service, DC $63,673 Washington, DC $63,674 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $63,671 Washington Navy Yard, DC $63,673

Workforce Development Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Workforce Development Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 48% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 32% above the average. In contrast, Workforce Development Specialist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Workforce Development Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Workforce Development Specialist

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking	$84,507	$41.0	32%
Energy & Utilities	$72,983	$35.0	14%
Biotechnology	$71,703	$34.0	12%
Financial Services	$70,423	$34.0	10%
Pharmaceuticals	$70,423	$34.0	10%

Workforce Development Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Workforce 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

$57,318

Average $64,021/year

$72,263

$4,777

Average $5,335/month

$6,022

$1,102

Average $1,231/week

$1,390

$28

Average $31/hour

$35

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$72,263	$6,022	$1,390	$35
Average	$64,021	$5,335	$1,231	$31
25th Percentile	$57,318	$4,777	$1,102	$28

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