Finding the Right Training Team to Employee Ratio in Multifamily
Employee turnover in Multifamily is no secret. Depending on the study, it runs anywhere from 30% to more than 50% annually for onsite teams. Maintenance techs alone churn at close to 40% a year. That means property management companies are constantly hiring, onboarding, and retraining just to keep up with the pace of business.
With so much movement in and out of our communities, one question becomes critical:
How many training professionals do you really need to support your team?
The Industry Benchmark
Across industries, the Association for Talent Development (ATD) reports the average ratio of training staff to employees is 1:212. Put another way, for every 212 employees, there’s typically one full-time training professional keeping them engaged, compliant, and growing.
That ratio works in industries with more stable workforces and slower turnover. But Multifamily isn’t average.
Why Multifamily Is Different
High turnover creates a never-ending cycle of onboarding and skill refreshers.
Frontline-heavy roles mean that new hires often represent the customer experience on day one. Training can’t be optional.
Regulatory and compliance requirements are strict and constantly evolving.
Market growth adds new properties, new markets, and new systems—all requiring training support.
Because of these realities, Multifamily needs a more generous training ratio than other industries.
The Multifamily Sweet Spot
Here’s where the research and practical experience converge:
1:150–1:180
Best for companies growing quickly, battling high turnover, or rolling out new systems. The closer you get to 1:150, the more agile your training team will be in handling onboarding surges.1:200
A strong “steady-state” ratio for most operators once onboarding is stable and processes are consistent.1:250+
Possible only if training is highly centralized, technology-driven, or if you outsource content development and delivery. This can work in very large companies but risks leaving frontline associates under-supported.
Beyond the Ratio: Team Design Matters
A ratio gives you a starting point, but the composition of your training team matters just as much:
Field Trainers/Facilitators to ride along with leasing teams and certify onsite skills.
Instructional Designers or Content Managers to keep compliance, systems, and job aids up to date.
L&D Operations support for scheduling, reporting, and LMS administration.
Even a lean team benefits from this balance. Without it, trainers get buried in logistics and can’t focus on coaching.
Why It Matters
Getting the ratio wrong can look “efficient” on paper, but the hidden costs show up fast:
Missed leases from under-trained leasing consultants.
Lower resident satisfaction when new hires aren’t service-ready.
Higher employee churn when onboarding feels chaotic and unsupported.
In short, investing in the right training team size isn’t overhead—it’s a performance driver.
A Final Thought
If you’re a Multifamily operator wrestling with turnover, growth, or resident experience challenges, take a hard look at your training ratio. One training professional for every 150–200 employees isn’t just a benchmark—it’s a lifeline for consistency, culture, and customer experience.
The real question is this:
Are you staffed to simply keep up with turnover, or are you staffed to create stability, growth, and a culture where employees want to stay?