Training and Development Specialist

O*NET: Training and Development Specialists·13-1151.00

The Verdict:Training specialists design programs and facilitate interactive sessions where human adaptation to group dynamics drives engagement and skill transfer. AI excels at content generation, needs assessment, and analytics. The role evolves toward hybrid delivery, with humans handling judgment-intensive facilitation, but core design tasks face growing automation pressure.

Resilience Score

/100

Moderate Risk

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: March 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$66k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+10.8%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 4 of 20 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

20%

Low exposure

Task Analysis

Most of this role rewards AI fluency.
55% of tasks (11 of 20) become more productive with AI tools — learning to use them is the highest-leverage career move.

4exposed

11AI leverage

5human-essential

View all 20 tasks

AI Can Handle This4 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Obtain, organize, or develop training procedure manuals, guides, or course materials, such as handouts or visual materials

Evaluate training materials prepared by instructors, such as outlines, text, or handouts

Monitor training costs and prepare budget reports to justify expenditures

Keep up with developments in area of expertise by reading current journals, books, or magazine articles

AI Leverage11 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Evaluate modes of training delivery, such as in-person or virtual, to optimize training effectiveness, training costs, or environmental impacts

Offer specific training programs to help workers maintain or improve job skills

Assess training needs through surveys, interviews with employees, focus groups, or consultation with managers, instructors, or customer representatives

Monitor, evaluate, or record training activities or program effectiveness

Design, plan, organize, or direct orientation and training programs for employees or customers

Develop alternative training methods if expected improvements are not seen

Devise programs to develop executive potential among employees in lower-level positions

Coordinate recruitment and placement of training program participants

Schedule classes based on availability of classrooms, equipment, or instructors

Refer trainees to employer relations representatives, to locations offering job placement assistance, or to appropriate social services agencies, if warranted

Develop or implement training programs related to efficiency, recycling, or other issues with environmental impacts

Human Advantage5 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Present information with a variety of instructional techniques or formats, such as role playing, simulations, team exercises, group discussions, videos, or lectures

Attend meetings or seminars to obtain information for use in training programs or to inform management of training program status

Select and assign instructors to conduct training

Negotiate contracts with clients for desired training outcomes, fees, or expenses

Supervise, evaluate, or refer instructors to skill development classes

Resilience Landscape

Training and Development Specialist lands in Stable, Lower Pay

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