Cost Estimators vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $11,220 more per year than Training and Development Specialists professionals — that's 17.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $37,510 | +$8,820 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $48,900 | +$10,930 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $65,850 | +$11,220 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $91,550 | +$8,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $120,190 | +$8,450 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $73,760 | +$9,400 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
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: Cost Estimators or Training and Development Specialists?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $11,220 (17.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
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 Cost Estimators and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators 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 Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 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