Fast Food and Counter Workers vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Training and Development Specialists professionals earn $35,370 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 116.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $38,800 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$22,620$120,190
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,620 | $37,510 | $-14,890 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,150 | $48,900 | $-21,750 |
| Median (50th) | $30,480 | $65,850 | $-35,370 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,440 | $91,550 | $-56,110 |
| 90th Percentile | $38,800 | $120,190 | $-81,390 |
| Mean (Average) | $31,350 | $73,760 | $-42,410 |
Employment Numbers
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Fast Food and Counter Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $42,660 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $40,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $38,310 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $37,650 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $36,480 |
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: Fast Food and Counter Workers or Training and Development Specialists?
Training and Development Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $35,370 (116.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries range from $22,620 (10th percentile) to $38,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $30,480.
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 Fast Food and Counter Workers and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers 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 Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Fast Food and Counter Workers has a median salary of $30,480 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