Physicians, All Other vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Physicians, All Other out-earn Registered Nurses by $168K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Physicians, All Other land at $265,930 and Registered Nurses at $97,550. The education gap is real: physicians, all other programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Physicians, All Other is North Dakota ($454,550); for Registered Nurses it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Physicians, All Other median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Physicians, All Other or Registered Nurses?
Physicians, All Other earn more nationally. The median is $265,930 for Physicians, All Other versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $168K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Physicians, All Other or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses has the better 10-year outlook at 4.9% projected growth, compared to 2.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Physicians, All Other or Registered Nurses?
Physicians, All Other typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Physicians, All Other get paid the most?
North Dakota is the top-paying state for Physicians, All Other at $454,550/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Physicians, All Other vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Minnesota, Physicians, All Other earn $367,320 vs. $101,510 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.