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How much do professional development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 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 is an example of a professional development opportunity?

A professional development opportunity for a job involves activities such as attending workshops, earning certifications, participating in training programs, or taking courses to improve skills and knowledge relevant to the role. These opportunities help employees stay current in their field and advance their careers.

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.

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.
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:
Infographic showing various Professional Development job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,541 per year, or $35.8 per hour.

Director of Professional Development

TNBR Careers

Gallatin, TN โ€ข On-site

$64K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Title: Director of Professional Development

Institution: Volunteer State Community College

Job Summary:

This position champions growth opportunities for faculty and staff across Volunteer State Community College. This role ensures that every employee has access to meaningful, relevant, and innovative professional learning that enhances teaching, strengthens student success, and supports career growth.
This position provides leadership in planning, coordinating, and tracking all professional development activities—including training sessions, workshops, conferences, and new technology adoptions. By maintaining clear and transparent records, this position supports faculty in their promotion and tenure process, and staff in their evaluation plans, creating a culture of continuous improvement and shared accountability.

Job Duties:

Provide leadership and vision for the Teaching & Learning Center (TLC) as the hub of faculty and staff development. Collaborate with Volunteer State Community College Executive Leadership and the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) to organize, schedule, and support the implementation of the College's leadership development program. Design and coordinate a robust professional development program that supports teaching, learning, leadership, and innovation. Oversee tracking systems for professional development participation, ensuring faculty and staff have accurate records for promotion, tenure, and evaluations. Collaborate with college leadership to ensure professional learning aligns with institutional goals, including new platform adoption (e.g., Watermark, SLATE, AI tools). Supervise and mentor professional development staff to deliver high-quality training opportunities. Identify and share best practices for teaching, learning, and staff development within higher education. Develop an annual professional development plan aligned with the College's Strategic Plan and institutional priorities. Organize annual professional development initiatives such as workshops, TLC events, and themed learning series. Communicate professional development opportunities in an encouraging, accessible, and motivating way to foster engagement across campus. Work with Marketing, Communications, and Media Services to market professional development opportunities. Coordinate the College’s High Impact Practice (HIP) processes, including consulting with faculty on HIP incorporation into the curriculum and the coding and reporting of HIPs. Provide budget oversight for the Teaching & Learning Center and professional development initiatives. Responsible for assessing the effectiveness of professional development through participation metrics and institutional outcomes. Other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
Three years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Doctoral degree from an accredited institution.
Teaching or training experience. Experience in designing, leading, and assessing professional development in higher education or a comparable setting.
Demonstrated success in managing professional development programs and training initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong understanding of faculty and staff development needs in higher education.
Ability to design professional learning experiences grounded in adult learning theory.
Knowledge of instructional technology, innovation in pedagogy, and emerging workforce skills.
Strong organizational and recordkeeping skills for tracking training participation.
Ability to balance accountability with encouragement, building a culture of growth.
Excellent communication, facilitation, and leadership skills. Must be a willing advocate of the mission of the college and have a demonstrated commitment to public higher education.
Ability to design and facilitate faculty development opportunities on topics relevant to online teaching and learning.
Ability to use data to make informed analysis of and possible solutions that project consequences of proposed solutions and make recommendations in support of goals.
Ability to work independently and to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating priorities while demonstrating good judgment in all areas of responsibility, including the ability to maintain confidentiality.
Excellent customer service skills and ability to adapt to changing work environment, including the ability to be respectful under pressure.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

Pay Rate: $64,257 - $80,320 annual salary depending on experience

Volunteer State offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:

  • Insurance:  Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability (long and short term), FSA/HSA
  • Wellness Incentive Program (if enrolled in Health)
  • Educational Assistance:  Fee Waiver, Spouse/Dependent Discounts, Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Longevity Pay
  • Retirement Options:  State of TN Pension (TCRS), 401a, 401K with up to $50/month match, 403b, and 457
  • 14 Paid Holidays/Year
  • Annual Leave (if applicable)
  • Sick Leave
  • Sick Leave Bank
  • State Employee Discount Program with over 900 merchants

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the application process. Official transcripts will be required upon hire.

Applicants may be subject to a background check.