Mechanical Engineers vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $36,470 more per year than Training and Development Specialists professionals — that's 55.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Mechanical Engineers earns $161,240 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Mechanical Engineers | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $68,740 | $37,510 | +$31,230 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,800 | $48,900 | +$32,900 |
| Median (50th) | $102,320 | $65,850 | +$36,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,290 | $91,550 | +$38,740 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,240 | $120,190 | +$41,050 |
| Mean (Average) | $110,080 | $73,760 | +$36,320 |
Employment Numbers
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Mechanical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $147,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $145,640 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,660 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $126,870 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $124,160 |
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: Mechanical Engineers or Training and Development Specialists?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $36,470 (55.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers salaries range from $68,740 (10th percentile) to $161,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,320.
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 Mechanical Engineers and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 286,760 Mechanical Engineers 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 Mechanical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Mechanical Engineers has a median salary of $102,320 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