With a median salary of $75,000, learning and development (L&D) professionals are paid relatively well compared to other HR professionals and the general workforce, but pay levels have not increased, on average, in the last four years. Also unchanged is the gender salary gap - men continue to earn more than women in the L&D profession. These are among many findings in the just-released Salary and Compensation Report from ASTD and the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp).

The report is the most comprehensive analysis of salary and compensation for L&D professionals and includes detailed analysis of practitioner demographics across industry, tenure, and gender. Based on responses from 1,997 U.S. employees, it includes findings from 40 compensation and benefit data points. ASTD's last salary survey was conducted in 2007, before the onset of the global economic recession.

The ASTD Learning and Development Industry Salary & Compensation Report, 2011 contains these key findings

• The median salary for L&D professionals is $75,000, exceeding the average U.S. income of $46,000

• 65 percent of L&D practitioners had a pay raise in 2010; 4 percent experienced a pay cut

• 88 percent have a bachelors degree or higher

• Differences in experience, education, and L&D specialty drive differences in salaries

• Investment in professional certification can yield a pay premium

• Employees with 10 years of experience see a noticeable salary bump and the biggest salary leap comes after 20 years in the profession

• Gender salary gap findings:

• • Median salary for men is $80,000-$90,000; for women it is $70,000-$80,000

  • The proportion of men earning $120,000 or more is twice that of women

  • Women are not as well represented in higher paying categories of L&D. There is a dearth of women in executive ranks and higher compensated specialties, possessing advanced degrees, or having 20 or more years of experience.

The ASTD Learning and Development Industry Salary & Compensation Report, 2011 is the definitive salary and compensation report for the L&D industry. A whitepaper about the research is free to ASTD members. The full report can be purchased from the ASTD Store.