Dentists, All Other Specialists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Dentists, All Other Specialistss out-earn Registered Nursess by $127K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Dentists, All Other Specialistss land at $224,990 and Registered Nursess at $97,550. The education gap is real: dentists, all other specialist programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Dentists, All Other Specialistss is Texas ($286,510); for Registered Nursess it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Dentists, All Other Specialists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Dentists, All Other Specialistss or Registered Nursess?
Dentists, All Other Specialistss earn more nationally. The median is $224,990 for Dentists, All Other Specialistss versus $97,550 for Registered Nursess, a difference of $127K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Dentists, All Other Specialists 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, Dentists, All Other Specialists or Registered Nurses?
Dentists, All Other Specialists typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Dentists, All Other Specialistss get paid the most?
Texas is the top-paying state for Dentists, All Other Specialistss at $286,510/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Dentists, All Other Specialists vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Texas, Dentists, All Other Specialistss earn $286,510 vs. $95,970 for Registered Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.