Human Resources Specialists vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn $7,060 more per year than Training and Development Specialists professionals — that's 10.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Human Resources Specialists earns $126,540 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$126,540
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Specialists | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $45,440 | $37,510 | +$7,930 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,870 | $48,900 | +$6,970 |
| Median (50th) | $72,910 | $65,850 | +$7,060 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,270 | $91,550 | +$5,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,540 | $120,190 | +$6,350 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,730 | $73,760 | +$5,970 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
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: Human Resources Specialists or Training and Development Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $7,060 (10.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
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 Human Resources Specialists and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 917,460 Human Resources Specialists 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 Human Resources Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Specialists has a median salary of $72,910 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