Data Scientists vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $46,740 more per year than Training and Development Specialists professionals — that's 71.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $37,510 | +$26,140 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $48,900 | +$33,730 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $65,850 | +$46,740 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $91,550 | +$64,260 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $120,190 | +$74,220 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $73,760 | +$50,830 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Best Cities for Training and Development Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| 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: Data Scientists or Training and Development Specialists?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $46,740 (71.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data 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 Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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