General Internal Medicine Physicians vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
General Internal Medicine Physicians out-earn Registered Nurses by $159K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. General Internal Medicine Physicians land at $256,560 and Registered Nurses at $97,550. The education gap is real: general internal medicine physician programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for General Internal Medicine Physicians is Georgia ($425,460); for Registered Nurses it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by General Internal Medicine Physicians median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, General Internal Medicine Physicians or Registered Nurses?
General Internal Medicine Physicians earn more nationally. The median is $256,560 for General Internal Medicine Physicians versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $159K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, General Internal Medicine Physicians or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses has the better 10-year outlook at 4.9% projected growth, compared to 3.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, General Internal Medicine Physicians or Registered Nurses?
General Internal Medicine Physicians typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do General Internal Medicine Physicians get paid the most?
Georgia is the top-paying state for General Internal Medicine Physicians at $425,460/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does General Internal Medicine Physicians vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Rhode Island, General Internal Medicine Physicians earn $379,490 vs. $100,640 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.