SalaryByCity

Computer and Information Research Scientists vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Computer and Information Research Scientists

$140,910

Median annual salary

38,480 employed nationally

Training and Development Specialists

$65,850

Median annual salary

436,610 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals earn $75,060 more per year than Training and Development Specialists professionals — that's 114.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer and Information Research Scientists earns $232,120 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.

Salary Range Comparison

Computer and Information Research Scientists$80,670 – $232,120
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$232,120

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileComputer and Information Research ScientistsTraining and Development SpecialistsDifference
10th Percentile$80,670$37,510+$43,160
25th Percentile$102,710$48,900+$53,810
Median (50th)$140,910$65,850+$75,060
75th Percentile$181,210$91,550+$89,660
90th Percentile$232,120$120,190+$111,930
Mean (Average)$152,310$73,760+$78,550

Employment Numbers

Computer and Information Research Scientists

38,480

employed nationwide

Training and Development Specialists

436,610

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Computer and Information Research Scientists

CityMedian
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$232,120
Richmond, VA$231,930
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$191,880
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$169,510
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$168,820

Best Cities for Training and Development Specialists

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$97,530
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$92,710
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$92,390
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$82,330
Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT$79,210

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Computer and Information Research Scientists or Training and Development Specialists?
Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $75,060 (114.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer and Information Research Scientists?
Computer and Information Research Scientists salaries range from $80,670 (10th percentile) to $232,120 (90th percentile), with a median of $140,910.
What is the salary range for Training and Development Specialists?
Training and Development Specialists salaries range from $37,510 (10th percentile) to $120,190 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,850.
How many Computer and Information Research Scientists and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 38,480 Computer and Information Research Scientists positions and 436,610 Training and Development Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Training and Development Specialists to Computer and Information Research Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer and Information Research Scientists has a median salary of $140,910 while Training and Development Specialists earns $65,850. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS