Dentists, All Other Specialists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Dentists, All Other Specialists out-earn Registered Nurses by $127K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Dentists, All Other Specialists land at $224,990 and Registered Nurses 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 Specialists is Texas ($286,510); for Registered Nurses 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 Specialists or Registered Nurses?
Dentists, All Other Specialists earn more nationally. The median is $224,990 for Dentists, All Other Specialists versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $127K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Dentists, All Other Specialists or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses has the better 10-year outlook at 4.9% projected growth, compared to 0.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
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 Specialists get paid the most?
Texas is the top-paying state for Dentists, All Other Specialists 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 Specialists earn $286,510 vs. $95,970 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.