Retail Salespersons 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 $31,270 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 90.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Retail Salespersons earns $47,930 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$25,600$120,190
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Retail Salespersons | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $25,600 | $37,510 | $-11,910 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,140 | $48,900 | $-19,760 |
| Median (50th) | $34,580 | $65,850 | $-31,270 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,850 | $91,550 | $-53,700 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,930 | $120,190 | $-72,260 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,150 | $73,760 | $-36,610 |
Employment Numbers
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
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: Retail Salespersons or Training and Development Specialists?
Training and Development Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $31,270 (90.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
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 Retail Salespersons and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons 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 Retail Salespersons?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Retail Salespersons has a median salary of $34,580 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