We conducted a comprehensive study of the non-equilibrium dynamics of Cooper pair breaking, quasiparticle (QP) generation, and relaxation in niobium (Nb) cut from superconducting radio-frequency cavities, as well as various Nb resonator films from transomon qubits. Using ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy in the regime of minimal condensate depletion, we were able to isolate the superconducting coherence and pair-breaking responses. Our results reveal both similarities and notable differences in the temperature- and magnetic field-dependent dynamics of the various Nb samples. Particularly, femtosecond-resolved QP generation and relaxation under an applied magnetic field reveals a clear correlation between non-equilibrium QPs and the quality factor of resonators fabricated by using different deposition methods such as DC sputtering and high-power impulse magnetron sputtering. These findings highlight the pivotal influence of fabrication techniques on the coherence and performance of Nb-based quantum devices, which are vital for applications in superconducting qubits and high-energy superconducting radio frequency applications.