Industrial 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?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $35,290 more per year than Training and Development Specialists professionals — that's 53.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Industrial Engineers earns $157,140 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Industrial Engineers | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $37,510 | +$32,490 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,910 | $48,900 | +$33,010 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $65,850 | +$35,290 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,480 | $91,550 | +$35,930 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,140 | $120,190 | +$36,950 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,900 | $73,760 | +$34,140 |
Employment Numbers
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Industrial Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $139,130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,790 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $126,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,310 |
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: Industrial Engineers or Training and Development Specialists?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $35,290 (53.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers salaries range from $70,000 (10th percentile) to $157,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,140.
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 Industrial Engineers and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 350,230 Industrial 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 Industrial Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Industrial Engineers has a median salary of $101,140 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