Compliance Officers vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Compliance Officers professionals earn $12,570 more per year than Training and Development Specialists professionals — that's 19.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Compliance Officers earns $130,030 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$130,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $37,510 | +$8,720 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $48,900 | +$10,230 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $65,850 | +$12,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $91,550 | +$13,250 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | $120,190 | +$9,840 |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $73,760 | +$11,220 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Compliance Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $118,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $104,000 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $102,500 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $98,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $96,280 |
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: Compliance Officers or Training and Development Specialists?
Compliance Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $12,570 (19.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Compliance Officers?
Compliance Officers salaries range from $46,230 (10th percentile) to $130,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $78,420.
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 Compliance Officers and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers 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 Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 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