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How much do professional development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for professional development in the United States is $74,541.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,500.00 and $102,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is professional development?

Professional development refers to the ongoing process of acquiring new skills, knowledge, and experience to enhance one's career performance and growth. It typically includes activities such as attending workshops, seminars, conferences, pursuing advanced degrees, or completing certifications. The goal of professional development is to keep professionals up-to-date with industry trends, improve job performance, and help them achieve career advancement. Many employers encourage or require professional development to ensure their workforce remains competitive and effective.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a professional development specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Professional Development Specialist, you need expertise in adult learning principles, curriculum design, and instructional strategies, often supported by a degree in education or a related field. Familiarity with Learning Management Systems (LMS), e-learning authoring tools, and relevant certifications such as CPLP or ATD are typically required. Strong communication, facilitation, and organizational skills help you effectively engage participants and manage multiple training initiatives. These skills are crucial for designing impactful development programs that enhance employee performance and support organizational growth.

How do professionals in a professional development role typically collaborate with other departments within an organization?

Professionals in a Professional Development role often work closely with HR, department managers, and team leaders to identify training needs and design effective learning programs. They regularly consult with subject matter experts to tailor content relevant to specific teams and may facilitate cross-departmental workshops or initiatives. This collaborative approach ensures that development programs are aligned with organizational goals and that employees at all levels receive the support they need to grow and succeed.

What is the difference between Professional Development vs Training?

AspectProfessional DevelopmentTraining
PurposeEnhances overall skills, knowledge, and career growthProvides specific skills for a particular task or job
DurationOngoing, long-termShort-term, focused
CredentialsMay lead to certifications or qualificationsUsually results in a certificate of completion
Work EnvironmentApplicable across various roles and industriesSpecific to job requirements

While both Professional Development and Training aim to improve skills, Professional Development focuses on long-term growth and career advancement, whereas Training provides targeted skills for immediate job needs.

More about Professional Development jobs

What cities are hiring for Professional Development jobs?

Cities with the most Professional Development job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Development jobs?

The most popular types of Development jobs are:

What states have the most Professional Development jobs?

States with the most job openings for Professional Development jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Professional Development jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Professional Development jobs are:

Professional Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Professional Development job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $74,541 per year, or $35.8 per hour.

Assistant Director, Professional Development

American Association for Cancer Research

Philadelphia, PA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Overview
Reporting to the Director of Professional Development, the Assistant Director leads the design, execution, and continuous improvement of AACR's professional development portfolio.
This role is responsible for delivering measurable, mission-aligned outcomes through high-impact programs that advance the careers of AACR members and employees across all career stages. The Assistant Director sets clear objectives, defines success metrics, and ensures that professional development initiatives-including workshops, mentoring programs, funding-support resources, and learning communities-are inclusive, scalable, and aligned with AACR's mission to prevent and cure cancer through education and workforce development.
The Professional Development Department supports the AACR mission by fostering the career advancement of cancer researchers at all stages through promoting professional growth through essential skill training, mentorship, and leadership development initiatives. The Assistant Director plays a key role in expanding the reach, quality, and strategic value of these offerings across both place-based and digital environments.
Responsibilities
Program Design & Implementation
Deliver a high-impact portfolio of professional development programs that meet member needs and advance AACR's mission.
  • Launch and manage new and existing workshops, mentoring programs, and webinars with measurable participation and satisfaction targets.
  • Increase program engagement and reach across domestic and global AACR member communities.
  • Integrate professional development components into major AACR initiatives through cross-departmental collaboration.

Project & Budget Management
  • Ensure efficient, cost-effective, and scalable program operations.
  • Support annual budget planning with accurate forecasting for staffing, materials, technology, and space.
  • Maintain programs within approved budgets while optimizing vendor relationships and resource allocation.
  • Implement operational improvements that reduce costs or increase program efficiency.

Team Leadership & Supervision
  • Build and support a high-performing professional development team.
  • Recruit, mentor, and supervise staff and contractors to achieve defined performance goals.
  • Strengthen onboarding, training, and professional growth pathways for team members.
  • Resolve operational and personnel challenges to maintain a positive, productive team environment.

Strategy & Evaluation
  • Establish and track strategic goals that improve program quality, inclusivity, and outcomes.
  • Define annual objectives and measurable success indicators for professional development initiatives.
  • Collect, analyze, and report on program data-including enrollment, participant feedback, and learning outcomes-to guide continuous improvement.
  • Implement data-driven adjustments that increase program effectiveness and participant satisfaction.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships
  • Expand AACR's professional development ecosystem through strategic partnerships.
  • Strengthen collaborations with academic institutions, cancer centers, professional societies, funders, and industry partners.
  • Increase external sponsorship, content contributions, and recognition opportunities.
  • Represent AACR on committees and working groups to advance the field of cancer research career development.

Communications & Outreach
  • Increase awareness, visibility, and engagement with AACR professional development offerings.
  • Produce compelling program summaries, email campaigns, website content, and social media messaging.
  • Collaborate with Marketing, Creative Services, Communications, and the AACR Foundation to highlight participant success stories and drive program participation.
  • Improve communication metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and event conversions.

Qualifications
Education & Experience
  • A master's degree in a STEM field
  • 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in professional development, adult learning, nonprofit or corporate training, or higher education, including program leadership and people management.
  • Experience working in scientific research or health-related environments strongly preferred.

Skills & Knowledge
  • Strong program, project, and budget management skills with the ability to prioritize across multiple initiatives.
  • Excellent organizational, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, especially attuned to audiences with global experience and interests.
  • Ability to manage multiple programs and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
  • Familiarity with the development and use of Learning Management Systems and virtual, on-demand training and in-person and virtual scientific meeting planning and management a plus.
  • Familiarity with data analytics and event/CRM platforms such as Open Water, Salesforce, Proposal Central, Lytho, CMS tools, and MS Office.

EOE

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