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Salary comparison

Neurologists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?

Neurologistss out-earn Registered Nursess by $151K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Neurologistss land at $248,560 and Registered Nursess at $97,550. The education gap is real: neurologist programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Neurologistss is Vermont ($434,730); for Registered Nursess it's California ($140,270).

Neurologists
Registered Nurses
Median salary
$248,560
$97,550
Hourly rate
$119.5/hr
$46.9/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$83,370
$68,940
Senior level (90th %)
$450,780
$137,470
Education required
Doctoral or professional degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
10,590
3,379,720
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
4.9%
Category
Healthcare
Healthcare
Top-paying state
Vermont
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Neurologists median pay.

State
Neurologists
Registered Nurses
Vermont
$434,730
$97,460
Arizona
$409,610
$99,500
Minnesota
$381,670
$101,510
Texas
$360,640
$95,970
California
$357,080
$140,270
Colorado
$356,250
$100,260
Alaska
$354,760
$109,480
Wisconsin
$342,520
$95,530
District of Columbia
$332,000
$102,540
Washington
$327,140
$124,200
Connecticut
$320,680
$102,740
Maryland
$302,840
$99,790
Illinois
$237,080
$95,990
New Jersey
$222,120
$106,500
New York
$155,990
$109,440

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Neurologistss or Registered Nursess?

Neurologistss earn more nationally. The median is $248,560 for Neurologistss versus $97,550 for Registered Nursess, a difference of $151K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Neurologists 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, Neurologists or Registered Nurses?

Neurologists typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Neurologistss get paid the most?

Vermont is the top-paying state for Neurologistss at $434,730/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Neurologists vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Vermont, Neurologistss earn $434,730 vs. $97,460 for Registered Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Neurologists salary breakdownView →Full Registered Nurses salary breakdownView →Best cities for Neurologistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Registered Nursess by take-home payExplore →How to become a neurologistsGuide →How to become a registered nursesGuide →