Software Developers vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $67,230 more per year than Training and Development Specialists professionals — that's 102.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Software Developers earns $211,450 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Software Developers | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $79,850 | $37,510 | +$42,340 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,050 | $48,900 | +$54,150 |
| Median (50th) | $133,080 | $65,850 | +$67,230 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,000 | $91,550 | +$77,450 |
| 90th Percentile | $211,450 | $120,190 | +$91,260 |
| Mean (Average) | $144,570 | $73,760 | +$70,810 |
Employment Numbers
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
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: Software Developers or Training and Development Specialists?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $67,230 (102.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
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 Software Developers and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,654,440 Software Developers 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 Software Developers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Software Developers has a median salary of $133,080 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