Physicians, Pathologists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Physicians, Pathologistss out-earn Registered Nursess by $215K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Physicians, Pathologistss land at $312,400 and Registered Nursess at $97,550. The education gap is real: physicians, pathologist programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Physicians, Pathologistss is Pennsylvania ($413,370); for Registered Nursess it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Physicians, Pathologists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Physicians, Pathologistss or Registered Nursess?
Physicians, Pathologistss earn more nationally. The median is $312,400 for Physicians, Pathologistss versus $97,550 for Registered Nursess, a difference of $215K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Physicians, Pathologists 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, Physicians, Pathologists or Registered Nurses?
Physicians, Pathologists typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Physicians, Pathologistss get paid the most?
Pennsylvania is the top-paying state for Physicians, Pathologistss at $413,370/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Physicians, Pathologists vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Pennsylvania, Physicians, Pathologistss earn $413,370 vs. $96,430 for Registered Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.