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Salary Reality
September 24, 2008
Salary Survey respondents talk about their training salary and career progressions, plus offer tips to help you get a raise.
By Lorri Freifeld
Training magazine's recent Annual Salary Survey (check for the results at www.trainingmag.com in October) of 751 respondents found average salaries for training professionals increased nearly $5,000 to $86,450 in 2008. On average, respondents reported, the last salary increase they received was 4.27 percent in the last 12 months (not including a promotion or change of employer). Statistics such as these are great, but we wanted to make the survey results a little more personal. So we asked a few respondents to talk about their training salary and career progressions. Here are their stories, plus their tips on how to ensure YOU get a raise next year:
Cheri Swales
Director of HR
MO Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
Years in the training profession: 18
Training-related mentor when you first began: Yes
Percentage or dollars salary increased or decreased OVERALL since starting in the training profession: $20,000 increase
Average ANNUAL percentage increase or decrease in salary since starting in the training profession: Don't know
Length of time before getting first promotion in the training field: I started my own training company.
Training career beginning: I was working in production control, and the company implemented total quality management. After going through Quality College, I then completed a Dale Carnegie Leadership Course, and the trainer asked me to become a trainer for them. I did.
Career progression in training: My company, trainer, director of HR
Regrets for training-related career moves you've made: None
Title striving for at the pinnacle of your training career: VP of Organizational Development
Most difficult training career-related decision: To start my own company
Tips for other training professionals who seek salary increases:
• Show how good you are.
• Join the company golf league and get to know the executives.
Mark Trahan, CSHO, CET, CIT
Operations Manager
Safety Management Systems
Years in the training profession: 12 (six years as an EMS educator and six years as a safety trainer/manager)
Training-related mentor when you first began: Yes, two of them. Ricky Eskind got me started in EMS training, and Gene Barfield assisted me with my switch to safety.
Percentage salary increased or decreased OVERALL since starting in the training profession: 100 percent increase
Average ANNUAL percentage increase or decrease in salary since starting in the training profession: eight percent increase
Length of time before getting first promotion in the training field: I moved into my company's education department as an education coordinator. I was in that role for two years, then moved to the safety division as a manager.
Training career beginning: I started as a paramedic in 1992, then got into training later in my career.
Regrets for training-related career moves you've made: None. I love developing, delivering, or managing training programs.
Title striving for at the pinnacle of your training career: VP of SMS Training Academy
Most difficult training career-related decision: To leave my comfort zone on the EMS side of training and move over to safety
Tips for other training professionals who seek salary increases:
• Professional certifications. I have obtained Certified Safety and Health Official (CSHO), Certified Environmental Trainer (CET), and Certified Instructional Technologist (CIT). I feel these credentials have helped me separate myself from other trainers.
 Jonathan Klane, M.S.Ed., CIH, CHMM, CET
Owner/Founder
Klane's Education Information Training Hub
Years in the training profession: 20
Training-related mentor when you first began: No
Percentage salary increased or decreased OVERALL since starting in the training profession: 50 percent greater than 20 years ago
Average ANNUAL percentage increase or decrease in salary since starting in the training profession: 2.5 percent average increase per year
Length of time before getting first promotion in the training field: Six years, and it was due to taking a different position at another employer.
Training career beginning: I taught swimming lessons to adults when I was barely one. Several years later after college, I worked as a consultant/industrial hygienist (IH) and started doing training in asbestos. I then was asked to teach a college course as a adjunct instructor. From there, it took off.
Career progression in training:
• Lifeguard/head guard/swim instructor for local town rec department—I taught swim lessons to tots through adults.
• Field IH for small consulting company—I did one-on-one on-the-job training (OJT) of new hires.
• Field operations manager for the consulting company—I oversaw all operations, including training of new hires/PT Trainer for Training Provider.
• Taught modules in asbestos courses/adjunct instructor for Tech College. Taught Intro to Occupational Health/IH.
• College instructor/training director for same college—Taught wide variety of OHS courses.
• Training manager/IH manager for large consulting company—Taught a variety of courses in and out of house.
• Safety & quality director for small chemical handling company—Trained employees in health/safety/quality.
• Owner/founder/trainer/IH of my own sole proprietorship (now LLC)—Teach a variety of courses, including train-the-trainer.
• Adjunct Faculty for College Grad School program (PT)—Teach classroom and online courses in health, safety and security, environmental risk assessment and management, wellness and health education, and train-the-trainer.
Regrets for training-related career moves you've made: None
Title striving for at the pinnacle of your training career: Professional speaker and author
Most difficult training career-related decision: Probably to go out on my own 10 years ago. Absolutely no regrets—best thing I could've done.
Tips for other training professionals who seek salary increases:
• Do your job to the best of your ability.
• Beyond that, here are my "15 Rules to
Market By" that address professional development, which is clearly and directly tied to salary.
1. Never go anywhere without your business cards.
2. Every contact or meeting is an opportunity.
3. Get your degree/pursue professional credentials.
4. Network, network, network.
5. Be versatile, be adaptable.
6. Be a life-long learner.
7. Join professional associations.
8. Take on new challenges and projects.
9. Present or train at every opportunity—even for free.
10. Excel at what you do (best).
11. Develop a (great) reputation; be well-respected.
12. Be a generalist with multiple specialties.
13. Prove yourself.
14. Develop professional relationships.
15. Above all, make sure it makes you happy.
Martin G. Mazur
Director of Learning & Development
SallieMae
Years in the training profession: Eighteen years of progressive training and management experience in corporate training and leadership development for Fortune 300 companies
Training-related mentor when you first began: When I first started in training, I was on my own and had to become a quick learner and strategist. After receiving my first promotion, I began to look at my immediate manager as an informal mentor. I learned a lot by watching him and taking the initiative to tap into his vast expertise with training and facilitation technique. He was a big-picture thinker who was adept at orchestrating an engaging and stimulating learning environment. I have carried these experiential learning lessons throughout my career. I also learned to never underestimate the positive influence a training manager can have upon his or her direct reports.
Percentage salary increased or decreased OVERALL since starting in the training profession: I have quadrupled my salary since I first started in the training profession (includes promotional and merit increases).
Average ANNUAL percentage increase or decrease in salary since starting in the training profession: Average of 4 to 5 percent annual merit increase, plus promotional raises ranging from 10 to 25 percent
Length of time before getting first promotion in the training field: Three years
Training career beginning: I was progressing in my career as an operations line manager when senior management selected me to establish a formal training department for a rapidly growing division of 500-plus employees. At that time, I had never really envisioned myself in a training capacity. I was told that my ability to achieve strong performance results and develop top performers was instrumental in senior management approaching me about the position. I originally thought I would find myself back in an operations management role after my initial assignment in training, but I discovered I have a passion for developing people and I am motivated by the positive impact training can have on achieving organizational results. As a result, I have furthered my formal education and pursued a career path in training and organizational development.
Career progression in training:
• Senior training officer—Selected to start up a training department for a major division; built curriculum and eventually led a team of trainers that delivered technical and communication skills training across multiple lines of business.
• Assistant vice president, Corporate Management Training & Development—Joined corporate training and managed the design, facilitation, and evaluation of supervisory skills; advanced management; leadership;quality improvement; service excellence; and personal skills training programs.
• Vice president and manager, Corporate Management Training & Development—Promoted to manage a geographically diverse team responsible for the management development needs of 3,500 managers; 16,000 employees; and 500 branch offices in New York, Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Canada.
• Vice president and manager, Leadership
& Organizational Development—Responsible for driving corporate leadership initiatives in implementing new business strategies, and building high-quality leadership bench strength and capabilities throughout the North American organization.
• Director of Learning & Development—Recruited to spearhead a start-up initiative for learning and development. Successfully built and managed the department during a period of explosive growth from three sites to seven major sites and 1,400 employees within two years. Responsible for technical skills operational training and leadership development.
• Director of Training & Performance Development—Currently manage a team of 32 multi-disciplined training and development professionals across 10 sites, six states, and several lines of business. Responsible for technical skills training, leadership development, quality assurance/compliance call monitoring, and talent management.
Regrets for training-related career moves you've made: No regrets—each transition has brought greater job challenges, increased team accomplishment, and deeper personal learning.
Title striving for at the pinnacle of your training career: Chief Learning Officer/Senior Training Executive
Most difficult training career-related decision: Making the choice to leave a successful corporate training management position with one of the world's leading banking organizations to take a start-up director of Learning & Development role with a much smaller organization. I desired an opportunity to utilize my experience and knowledge to take on the broader challenge of heading up an entire Learning & Development function, and to add value in a position that transcends every facet of an organization. The move was rewarding as after two years in the position our company was named to the 2007 Training Top 125 list (No. 103 Pioneer Credit, a division of SallieMae).
Tips for other training professionals who seek salary increases:
• Become a trusted advisor to business partners and strive to deliver products and services where the value and tangible business impact of your efforts is clearly evident.
• Possess a strong belief in your own unique skills and abilities.
• Be a team player, demonstrate adaptability and a willingness to take on new challenges.
• Most importantly, invest in your own self-development (by virtue of the vocation that we are in, learning is a continual process).
 Rachel Dathe
Senior Associate, Area Training
KPMG, LLP
Years in the training profession: 1.5 years
Training-related mentor when you first began: Yes. I work closely with the business unit training partner.
Percentage salary increased or decreased OVERALL since starting in the training profession: 38 percent increase (not including benefits)
Average ANNUAL percentage increase or decrease in salary since starting in the training profession: This was a new position I filled. It is hard to say since I have only been in this role for a year-and-a-half.
Length of time before getting first promotion in the training field: Six months
Training career beginning: I was in resource management at the same company for almost 3.5 years. This entailed scheduling resources in the field as needed, among other things.
Career progression in training: In my previous department, I worked closely with four other people. I am now a "one-person department" responsible for all local and national training within our business unit. I support more than 500 individuals throughout the year. This includes answering questions on a daily basis, resolving any training discrepancies, processing CPE, maintaining the training budget, etc.
Regrets for training-related career moves you've made: None at all.
Title striving for at the pinnacle of your training career: My long-term goal is unknown at this time; my short-term goal would be "manager."
Most difficult training career-related decision: Going for my current position. This specific position was new to our business unit, so essentially it was created for me. The uncertainty of whether or not it would happen was stressful.
Tips for other training professionals who seek salary increases:
• Go for it!
• Be as helpful as possible,
• Take on additional responsibilities.
• Go out of your way. Your actions will be rewarded.
• Be proactive and ask what you need to do to get the salary you want. It is up to you to maintain those goals.
 Dave Kannianen
Safety Coordinator
Temple Inland Inc.
Years in the training profession: I've been involved in training for approximately 15 years. Training isn't my primary role, but is a significant part of it (50 percent).
Training-related mentor when you first began: No
Percentage salary increased or decreased OVERALL since starting in the training profession: When I changed employers 13 years ago, I took about a 12 percent cut but have had annual increases of 3 to 4 percent since.
Length of time before getting first promotion in the training field: I have not had promotions but have had lateral moves to other positions such as maintenance manager—safety coordinator (EHS Officer).
Training career beginning: Part of my role as a maintenance manager was to train my crews, so I guess it has always been a part of my career path. It really began as early as my stint in the Navy where I trained new officers on anti-submarine warfare tactics.
Career progression in training: My title/role has never been exclusively "training"; it has more been part of duties:
• Navy: Operations Specialist
• Manufacturing: Maintenance Manager, Environmental Manager, Compliance Officer, Safety Coordinator
Regrets for training-related career moves you've made: Yes, I regret returning to an industry/company I knew would not provide much opportunity for advancement but would provide me with "job security."
Title striving for at the pinnacle of your training career: "Retired"; actually, at this point I'm looking at escaping from the corporate world and starting my own business.
Most difficult training career-related decision: Changing careers after 17 years in one field into a completely different one. It also proved to be the most exciting move.
Tips for other training professionals who seek salary increases:
• Stick to your principles and get involved in every developmental project you can. Continuous self-improvement is key.
 Jennifer Schwartzberg
Training & Development Manager
AVI-SPL
Years in the training profession: Three
Training-related mentor when you first began: No
Percentage salary increased or decreased OVERALL since starting in the training profession: Increased 24 percent
Average ANNUAL percentage increase or decrease in salary since starting in the training profession:Twelve percent increase
Length of time before getting first promotion in the training field: One year
Training career beginning: I started out as an engineer and then moved into training.
Career progression in training: I started out as a training coordinator with my current company. The scope of the position originally entailed IT training, new employee orientation, and some other internal training. After one year with the company, I was promoted to Training & Development manager. Our training program has grown to entail a company-wide Learning Management System (LMS), professional development programs, and detailed career tracks for our technical staff. The things we have accomplished in just three years are amazing. We’re proud of how far we've come. We're the only company in our industry to have a training program certified by InfoComm, our industry's top professional association.
Regrets for training-related career moves you've made: None. Moving into training was the best career move I've made.
Title striving for at the pinnacle of your training career: Chief Learning Officer
Most difficult training career-related decision: To move away from engineering and into training
Tips for other training professionals who seek salary increases:
• Don't be afraid to ask for it. Make sure to have things such as your accomplishments and industry standards to back you up, but you can never get what you don't ask for.
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