Obstetricians and Gynecologists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Obstetricians and Gynecologists out-earn Registered Nurses by $195K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Obstetricians and Gynecologists land at $292,910 and Registered Nurses at $97,550. The education gap is real: obstetricians and gynecologist programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Obstetricians and Gynecologists is Utah ($437,170); for Registered Nurses it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Obstetricians and Gynecologists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Obstetricians and Gynecologists or Registered Nurses?
Obstetricians and Gynecologists earn more nationally. The median is $292,910 for Obstetricians and Gynecologists versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $195K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Obstetricians and Gynecologists or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses has the better 10-year outlook at 4.9% projected growth, compared to 1.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Obstetricians and Gynecologists or Registered Nurses?
Obstetricians and Gynecologists typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Obstetricians and Gynecologists get paid the most?
Utah is the top-paying state for Obstetricians and Gynecologists at $437,170/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Obstetricians and Gynecologists vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Obstetricians and Gynecologists earn $421,450 vs. $109,480 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.