Dentists, General vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Dentists, Generals out-earn Registered Nursess by $73K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Dentists, Generals land at $170,950 and Registered Nursess at $97,550. The education gap is real: dentists, general programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Dentists, Generals is Alaska ($230,990); for Registered Nursess it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Dentists, General median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Dentists, Generals or Registered Nursess?
Dentists, Generals earn more nationally. The median is $170,950 for Dentists, Generals versus $97,550 for Registered Nursess, a difference of $73K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Dentists, General or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses has the better 10-year outlook at 4.9% projected growth, compared to 1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Dentists, General or Registered Nurses?
Dentists, General typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Dentists, Generals get paid the most?
Alaska is the top-paying state for Dentists, Generals at $230,990/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Dentists, General vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Dentists, Generals earn $230,990 vs. $109,480 for Registered Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.