Civil 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?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $33,740 more per year than Training and Development Specialists professionals — that's 51.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $37,510 | +$28,410 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $48,900 | +$29,890 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $65,850 | +$33,740 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $91,550 | +$36,740 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $120,190 | +$40,800 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $73,760 | +$33,290 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
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: Civil Engineers or Training and Development Specialists?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $33,740 (51.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
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 Civil Engineers and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil 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 Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 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