Training and Development Specialists salary in California
Training and Development Specialists in California earn a median of $75,790 a year ($36.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 46,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,270 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $69,280. California ranks 16th of 51 states for training and development specialists pay. There are 2.6 training and development specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for training and development specialists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,320 | $20.83 |
| 25th percentile | $51,360 | $24.69 |
| Median | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| 75th percentile | $105,440 | $50.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,270 | $64.55 |
| Average (mean) | $84,110 | $40.44 |
Half of training and development specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,315.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,157.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,915 |
| Weekly | $1,457.50 |
| Hourly | $36.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Training and Development Specialists salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $104,770 | 3,310 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $95,050 | 6,310 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $77,400 | 280 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $76,270 | 250 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $76,180 | 2,610 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $75,890 | 450 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $75,670 | 3,840 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $75,590 | 450 |
| Modesto, CA | $74,220 | 580 |
| Napa, CA | $72,940 | 120 |
| Vallejo, CA | $72,750 | 320 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $71,990 | 15,030 |
| Salinas, CA | $66,030 | 290 |
| Fresno, CA | $65,060 | 960 |
| Redding, CA | $63,100 | 170 |
| El Centro, CA | $61,010 | 140 |
| Visalia, CA | $61,000 | 370 |
| Merced, CA | $60,990 | 190 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $60,580 | 850 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $60,520 | 110 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $60,100 | 790 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $60,010 | 4,690 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $58,860 | 940 |
| Chico, CA | $58,790 | 160 |
| Yuba City, CA | $48,280 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for training and development specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Delaware | $88,570 |
| New Hampshire | $86,050 |
| Alaska | $81,860 |
| Washington | $81,860 |
| District of Columbia | $80,980 |
| Massachusetts | $80,270 |
| Connecticut | $78,080 |
| Vermont | $77,800 |
| Virginia | $77,690 |
| New Jersey | $77,020 |
See Training and Development Specialists pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $87,570 | $42.10 |
| Management Analyst | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $94,700 | $45.53 |
| Project Management Specialist | $120,910 | $58.13 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $83,500 | $40.14 |
| Compliance Officer | $96,980 | $46.63 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Logistician | $92,890 | $44.66 |
| Cost Estimator | $85,460 | $41.09 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $91,790 | $44.13 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $71,120 | $34.19 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $91,410 | $43.95 |
| Fundraiser | $79,710 | $38.32 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $105,810 | $50.87 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1151. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a training and development specialists make in California?
The median salary for training and development specialists in California is $75,790 a year, or $36.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid training and development specialists make in California?
The top 10% of training and development specialists in California earn at least $134,270 a year. The top 25% earn $105,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for training and development specialists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,320 a year, and a quarter of training and development specialists earn $51,360 or less.
How many training and development specialists work in California?
About 46,530 training and development specialists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.