Lawyers vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $85,310 more per year than Training and Development Specialists professionals — that's 129.6% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$120,190
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $37,510 | +$35,270 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $48,900 | +$50,860 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $65,850 | +$85,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $91,550 | +$123,870 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $120,190 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $73,760 | +$109,000 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Lawyers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $215,090 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $205,900 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $203,450 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $194,740 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $191,880 |
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: Lawyers or Training and Development Specialists?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $85,310 (129.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Lawyers?
Lawyers salaries range from $72,780 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $151,160.
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 Lawyers and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers 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 Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 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