First the good news: Workplace learning and performance professionals are well-educated and well-compensated, with most earning more than the United States’ average income of $48,000. But men earn more than women at every level of the profession.
The ASTD market research department conducted surveys with more than 7,000 people in 2007, providing a broad view of salaries across nine areas of expertise in the workplace learning and performance field. As the 2006 salary survey also showed, trainers in the pharmaceutical industry and independent consultants have the highest salaries in the profession regardless of the area of expertise in which they practice.
As in previous years, the 2007 survey shows there is a salary gap between men and women in the profession. Men make more money at every level and are more likely than women to hold higher-level positions. High salaries in the profession as a whole are typical, with the median income between $70,000 and $90,000.
Not surprisingly, those professionals with higher levels of responsibility, advanced degrees, and more years of experience tend to have higher salaries. Additionally, large organizations with large budgets tend to pay better than smaller ones.