Project Management Specialists vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $34,900 more per year than Training and Development Specialists professionals — that's 53.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Project Management Specialists earns $165,790 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Project Management Specialists | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $59,830 | $37,510 | +$22,320 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,950 | $48,900 | +$28,050 |
| Median (50th) | $100,750 | $65,850 | +$34,900 |
| 75th Percentile | $131,660 | $91,550 | +$40,110 |
| 90th Percentile | $165,790 | $120,190 | +$45,600 |
| Mean (Average) | $108,100 | $73,760 | +$34,340 |
Employment Numbers
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
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: Project Management Specialists or Training and Development Specialists?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $34,900 (53.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
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 Project Management Specialists and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists 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 Project Management Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Project Management Specialists has a median salary of $100,750 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