How Much Does a Talent Development Manager Make? (2025)
A talent development manager is responsible for designing, overseeing and improving training and development initiatives within an organization, aligning development strategies with business goals and managing teams of specialists.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that training and development managers, a broader category that includes this position, have a projected job growth of 6% from 2024 to 2034, showing steady demand across industries. According to Salary.com, talent development managers in the U.S. earn an average salary of $142,290 per year or $68 per hour.
Use this salary guide to learn more about talent development manager salary expectations, the highest-paying cities, and common questions about the role.
What is the Average Talent Development Manager's Salary?
As of October 1, 2025, the average talent development manager salary in the US is $142,290 per year or $68 per hour. The salary range for talent development managers is between $113,824 and $170,565, with most earnings falling between $127,390 and $157,090 per year.
2025 Average Salary for Talent Development Manager: $142,290 per year ($68 per hour)
A talent development manager reported an average monthly salary of $11,858, while the average weekly pay is $2,736 according to the most recent data from Salary.com.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $55 | $2,189 | $9,485 | $113,824 |
| 25th Percentile | $61 | $2,450 | $10,616 | $127,390 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $68 | $2,736 | $11,858 | $142,290 |
| 75th Percentile | $76 | $3,021 | $13,091 | $157,090 |
| 90th Percentile | $82 | $3,280 | $14,214 | $170,565 |
Aside from the base pay, talent development managers also receive additional earnings such as bonuses and benefits. The average total compensation in the U.S. is $215,806 per year.
Talent Development Manager Average Salaries State by State
Talent development manager salaries differ across U.S. states and territories due to factors such as job demand, location, cost of living, and local wage standards.
The table below shows the states and territories with the highest average pay for talent development managers, with the District of Columbia ($157,490), California ($156,890), and Massachusetts ($154,790) as the top three highest-paying states. These areas generally have higher living costs and a stronger concentration of large corporations and federal agencies that rely heavily on talent and training programs.
Meanwhile, the states with the lowest average salaries include Mississippi ($126,890), West Virginia ($128,090), and Arkansas ($128,490). Lower costs of living and smaller workforce sizes in these states typically result in lower wage averages compared to other regions.
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $153,990 |
| Alabama | $130,690 |
| Arkansas | $128,490 |
| Arizona | $138,590 |
| California | $156,890 |
| Colorado | $145,190 |
| Connecticut | $151,990 |
| District of Columbia | $157,490 |
| Delaware | $144,090 |
| Florida | $134,590 |
| Georgia | $137,190 |
| Hawaii | $148,690 |
| Iowa | $136,190 |
| Idaho | $132,790 |
| Illinois | $144,990 |
| Indiana | $136,590 |
| Kansas | $135,490 |
| Kentucky | $133,890 |
| Louisiana | $135,290 |
| Massachusetts | $154,790 |
| Maryland | $146,690 |
| Maine | $138,690 |
| Michigan | $140,090 |
| Minnesota | $145,590 |
| Missouri | $135,190 |
| Mississippi | $126,890 |
| Montana | $134,290 |
| North Carolina | $135,190 |
| North Dakota | $140,490 |
| Nebraska | $133,990 |
| New Hampshire | $143,790 |
| New Jersey | $154,190 |
| New Mexico | $131,790 |
| Nevada | $140,790 |
| New York | $151,290 |
| Ohio | $138,490 |
| Oklahoma | $131,590 |
| Oregon | $144,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $141,590 |
| Rhode Island | $147,490 |
| South Carolina | $133,290 |
| South Dakota | $129,290 |
| Tennessee | $132,990 |
| Texas | $138,790 |
| Utah | $136,190 |
| Virginia | $143,290 |
| Vermont | $139,590 |
| Washington | $154,290 |
| Wisconsin | $139,990 |
| West Virginia | $128,090 |
| Wyoming | $136,390 |
What are the Best-paying Cities for Talent Development Manager?
Talent development manager salaries also vary by city, influenced by the cost of living, local demand, and industry rates in urban areas.
For example, professionals in San Jose, CA earn an average of $179,390 per year, followed closely by those in San Francisco, CA ($177,690) and Oakland, CA ($173,690).
Major metropolitan areas like New York City and Queens Village also offer competitive pay, reflecting the strong presence of large organizations and corporate headquarters that invest heavily in training and development programs.
| City | Average Annual Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $179,390 |
| San Francisco, CA | $177,690 |
| Oakland, CA | $173,690 |
| New York, NY | $164,890 |
| Queens Village, NY | $163,790 |
How Does Experience Affect Talent Development Manager Salary?
The salary for talent development managers grows with experience. Salary.com reports that entry-level talent development managers earn about $136,630 per year, while those with more years of experience average $143,736 annually.
| Level | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Talent Development Manager | $136,630 |
| Intermediate Level Talent Development Manager | $137,297 |
| Senior Level Talent Development Manager | $138,854 |
| Specialist Level Talent Development Manager | $140,633 |
| Expert Level Talent Development Manager | $143,736 |
How to Increase Salary as a Talent Development Manager
Talent development managers can increase their salaries through experience, continuous learning, and skill development. Earning advanced certifications, pursuing higher education, or taking on leadership roles within an organization can lead to significant pay raises. Managers with several years of experience often progress into senior roles overseeing larger teams, designing company-wide development programs, and influencing organizational strategy.
Talent Development Manager Advancements
Advancing as a talent development manager involves building strong expertise in leadership development, organizational learning, and employee engagement. Below are common ways to move forward in this career:
- Gain relevant certifications: Earning credentials like the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) or the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) helps demonstrate advanced skills and can make candidates more competitive for senior roles.
- Pursue higher education: A master's degree in Human Resources Management, Organizational Psychology, or Business Administration can open opportunities for director-level positions.
- Take on strategic responsibilities: Managing enterprise-wide learning initiatives or aligning training programs with company goals can position professionals for promotion to Senior Talent Development Manager or Director of Learning and Development.
- Build a strong professional network: Collaborating with industry peers and participating in HR associations can increase visibility and open doors to better opportunities.
Talent Development Manager Skills
The salary for talent development managers can increase as they gain more skills through experience or certifications. Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report shows that skills such as Performance Review and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) significantly raise salaries by 10.16% and 8.50% respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Review | 10.30% | 10.16% |
| Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) | 10.00% | 8.50% |
| Leadership Development | 10.40% | 8.30% |
| HR Compliance | 10.10% | 7.92% |
| Training and eLearning Software | 10.90% | 7.90% |
| Training Operations | 10.60% | 7.90% |
What are the FAQs About Talent Development Manager Salaries?
Here are some common questions about the salary for talent development managers:
How much does a talent development manager make?
As a talent development manager, you can expect to earn an average annual salary of around $142,290 or $68 per hour. Your pay depends on factors like experience, location, and company size. Cities with a higher cost of living or organizations with large HR departments tend to offer higher salaries. Strong leadership skills and higher education also help increase earning potential.
What is the role of a talent development manager?
A talent development manager is responsible for creating strategies that support employee growth and organizational performance. The duties include assessing training needs, designing learning programs, and tracking employee progress. Collaboration with HR leaders and department heads ensures development initiatives align with company goals. Strong performance review skills, DEIB initiatives, and leadership skills are key to success in this role.
Do talent development managers earn bonuses or other benefits?
Yes, many talent development managers receive bonuses in addition to their base salary. You may also enjoy benefits like paid time off, health insurance, and retirement plans. These incentives reward your contribution to employee engagement and organizational success.
Which industries pay talent development managers the most?
Talent development managers earn the highest pay in industries like technology, finance, and healthcare. These sectors value leadership and specialized knowledge, so you can expect competitive salaries and performance-based bonuses. Large corporations and global companies also tend to offer better compensation packages than small or mid-sized organizations.
