Registered Nurses vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $27,750 more per year than Training and Development Specialists professionals — that's 42.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Registered Nurses earns $135,320 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Registered Nurses | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,030 | $37,510 | +$28,520 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,610 | $48,900 | +$29,710 |
| Median (50th) | $93,600 | $65,850 | +$27,750 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,960 | $91,550 | +$16,410 |
| 90th Percentile | $135,320 | $120,190 | +$15,130 |
| Mean (Average) | $98,430 | $73,760 | +$24,670 |
Employment Numbers
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
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: Registered Nurses or Training and Development Specialists?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $27,750 (42.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
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 Registered Nurses and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,282,010 Registered Nurses 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 Registered Nurses?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Registered Nurses has a median salary of $93,600 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