SalaryByCity

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

$102,610

Median annual salary

199,800 employed nationally

Training and Development Specialists

$65,850

Median annual salary

436,610 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn $36,760 more per year than Training and Development Specialists professionals — that's 55.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earns $166,960 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.

Salary Range Comparison

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$60,690 – $166,960
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$166,960

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersTraining and Development SpecialistsDifference
10th Percentile$60,690$37,510+$23,180
25th Percentile$79,520$48,900+$30,620
Median (50th)$102,610$65,850+$36,760
75th Percentile$131,870$91,550+$40,320
90th Percentile$166,960$120,190+$46,770
Mean (Average)$110,260$73,760+$36,500

Employment Numbers

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

199,800

employed nationwide

Training and Development Specialists

436,610

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$165,700
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$139,580
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$131,640
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$127,940
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$126,430

Best Cities for Training and Development Specialists

CityMedian
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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers or Training and Development Specialists?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $36,760 (55.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salaries range from $60,690 (10th percentile) to $166,960 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,610.
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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 199,800 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers 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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers has a median salary of $102,610 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