Anesthesiologists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Anesthesiologistss out-earn Registered Nursess by $294K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Anesthesiologistss land at $391,490 and Registered Nursess at $97,550. The education gap is real: anesthesiologist programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Anesthesiologistss is Washington ($499,990); for Registered Nursess it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Anesthesiologists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Anesthesiologistss or Registered Nursess?
Anesthesiologistss earn more nationally. The median is $391,490 for Anesthesiologistss versus $97,550 for Registered Nursess, a difference of $294K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Anesthesiologists or Registered Nurses?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Anesthesiologists or Registered Nurses?
Anesthesiologists typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Anesthesiologistss get paid the most?
Washington is the top-paying state for Anesthesiologistss at $499,990/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Anesthesiologists vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Anesthesiologistss earn $499,990 vs. $124,200 for Registered Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.