How Much Does a Talent Development Director Make? (2025)
The role of a talent development director is central in shaping an organization's human capital. They design, implement, and manage programs such as leadership training, coaching, and succession planning to build employee skills and prepare for future business needs. Their work strengthens employee engagement, retention, and the company's overall competitive edge.
Salary.com reports that the average yearly salary for a talent development director in the United States is $200,530, equivalent to about $96 per hour.
Keep reading for a comprehensive overview of talent development director salary trends, strategies to increase earnings, and answers to common questions.
What is the Average Talent Development Director's Salary?
As mentioned above, the average salary for a talent development director in the United States is $200,530 per year, or about $96 per hour. Typical salaries range from $182,490 to $217,830, with most professionals earning between $182,490 to $217,830 annually.
2025 Talent Development Director Salary: $200,530 ($96 per hour)
Below is a breakdown of annual, monthly, weekly and hourly pay for a U.S. talent development director:
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $80 | $3,195 | $13,839 | $166,066 |
| 25th Percentile | $88 | $3,509 | $15,208 | $182,490 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $96 | $3,856 | $16,711 | $200,530 |
| 75th Percentile | $105 | $4,189 | $18,153 | $217,830 |
| 90th Percentile | $113 | $4,488 | $19,465 | $233,581 |
In addition to base pay, many talent development directors receive bonuses up to $33,000 or more, depending on company performance and leadership scope.
Talent Development Director Salary State by State
Talent development director salaries vary widely across U.S. states due to factors like cost of living, regional demand, and the presence of large organizations.
According to Salary.com, states with the lowest average annual pay for this role include Mississippi ($180,000), Arkansas ($182,400), and West Virginia ($183,200).
Meanwhile, the highest-paying states are Massachusetts ($218,240), California ($221,190), and the District of Columbia ($222,860), where compensation reflects both demand and higher living costs.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $184,230 |
| Alaska | $217,080 |
| Arizona | $195,400 |
| Arkansas | $181,160 |
| California | $221,190 |
| Colorado | $204,600 |
| Connecticut | $214,310 |
| Delaware | $203,080 |
| District of Columbia | $222,030 |
| Florida | $189,740 |
| Georgia | $193,410 |
| Hawaii | $209,600 |
| Idaho | $187,200 |
| Illinois | $204,400 |
| Indiana | $192,490 |
| Iowa | $191,910 |
| Kansas | $190,950 |
| Kentucky | $188,700 |
| Louisiana | $190,670 |
| Maine | $195,520 |
| Maryland | $206,770 |
| Massachusetts | $218,240 |
| Michigan | $197,480 |
| Minnesota | $205,200 |
| Mississippi | $178,830 |
| Missouri | $190,530 |
| Montana | $189,320 |
| Nebraska | $188,920 |
| Nevada | $198,470 |
| New Hampshire | $202,730 |
| New Jersey | $217,360 |
| New Mexico | $185,730 |
| New York | $213,190 |
| North Carolina | $190,570 |
| North Dakota | $198,090 |
| Ohio | $195,260 |
| Oklahoma | $185,410 |
| Oregon | $203,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $199,630 |
| Rhode Island | $207,910 |
| South Carolina | $187,900 |
| South Dakota | $182,240 |
| Tennessee | $187,400 |
| Texas | $195,600 |
| Utah | $192,030 |
| Vermont | $196,820 |
| Virginia | $201,940 |
| Washington | $217,440 |
| West Virginia | $180,580 |
| Wisconsin | $197,260 |
| Wyoming | $192,310 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Talent Development Director?
Location significantly impacts talent development director salaries, especially in cities with strong corporate or technology sectors.
Based on Salary.com data, California cities such as San Jose ($252,930), San Francisco ($250,440), and Oakland ($247,900) offer the highest average pay for this role.
Other top-paying cities include New York ($232,400), Boston ($223,650), and Seattle ($221,670), where the demand for senior HR leaders remains high.
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $252,930 |
| San Francisco, CA | $250,440 |
| Oakland, CA | $244,890 |
| New York, NY | $232,400 |
| Queens Village, NY | $230,890 |
| Paramus, NJ | $229,290 |
| Passaic, NJ | $229,090 |
| Bergenfield, NJ | $228,890 |
How Does Experience Affect a Talent Development Director's Salary?
Experience level plays a major role in determining pay. As directors take on greater leadership responsibilities and oversee larger workforce initiatives, their compensation tends to rise steadily.
According to Salary.com, entry-level talent development directors with less than one year of experience earn an average of $190,007 annually. Within the first couple of years, salaries increase to $191,541, reflecting the growing value of practical experience.
Furthermore, talent development directors with 2-4 years of experience earn an average of $193,587 per year. Senior-level directors with 5-8 years of experience make about $196,655 annually, while experts with more than 8 years of experience can earn up to $200,490 per year.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level Talent Development Director | $190,007 |
| Early Career Talent Development Director | $191,541 |
| Mid-Level Talent Development Director | $193,587 |
| Senior-Level Talent Development Director | $196,655 |
| Expert Level Talent Development Director | $200,490 |
How to Increase Salary as a Talent Development Director?
Becoming a talent development director typically requires a bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, organizational psychology, or a related field. Many also pursue a master's in organizational leadership or an MBA to advance their careers and increase earning potential.
Below are key qualifications and career steps that support professional growth in this role:
Talent Development Director Advancements
- Broaden scope of responsibility - Managing larger teams, global regions, multiple modalities (digital, classroom, coaching) often translate into higher pay.
- Move into a strategic-business-partner role - If the role evolves beyond "training delivery" into talent strategy and leadership-pipeline oversight, pay tends to rise.
- Demonstrate measurable business impact - Present metrics such as leadership-promotion rates, retention improvements, or cost savings from development programs. HR leaders and compensation committees reward demonstrable ROI.
- Relocate or accept roles in premium markets - Metro areas listed above offer materially higher pay, albeit often with higher cost of living.
Talent Development Director Skills
Building in-demand skills enables talent development directors to advance their careers and increase their earning potential.
According to Salary.com's Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data Report, the most in-demand skills for this role include presentation software (10.60%) and HR compliance (10.10%).
Moreover, advancing expertise in vendor management and workforce planning can drive salary increases of about +7.79% and +7.96%, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation Software | 10.60% | +8.40% |
| HR Compliance | 10.10% | +7.67% |
| Vendor Management | 10.00% | +7.79% |
| Total Rewards | 10.00% | +7.73% |
| Succession Planning | 10.00% | +7.19% |
| Talent Acquisition | 10.00% | +6.14% |
What are the FAQs About Talent Development Director Salaries?
Here are some common questions about the talent development director salary:
What does a director of talent development do?
A talent development director collaborates with HR partners and business leaders to identify high-potential employees and create strategies for their development. They establish mentoring and coaching programs to foster growth, with salaries ranging from $166,066 to $233,581, reflecting the importance of their role in nurturing talent within the organization.
What is the highest salary of a director?
The highest salary for a talent development director is approximately $233,581 per year. The average salary typically ranges from $166,066 to $233,581, depending on experience and location. This role generally requires significant experience, often around 7 years, to reach the upper salary levels.
Who is paid more, a manager or director?
Managers typically earn between $113,824 and $170,565. In contrast, talent development directors have a significantly higher salary range, with a minimum of $166,066, a mid-salary of $200,530, and a maximum of $233,581. This indicates that directors are generally compensated for more than managers.
