Podiatrists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Podiatrists out-earn Registered Nurses by $63K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Podiatrists land at $160,300 and Registered Nurses at $97,550. The education gap is real: podiatrist programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Podiatrists is District of Columbia ($265,740); for Registered Nurses it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Podiatrists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Podiatrists or Registered Nurses?
Podiatrists earn more nationally. The median is $160,300 for Podiatrists versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $63K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Podiatrists or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses has the better 10-year outlook at 4.9% projected growth, compared to 1.8% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Podiatrists or Registered Nurses?
Podiatrists typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Podiatrists get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Podiatrists at $265,740/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Podiatrists vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Podiatrists earn $265,740 vs. $102,540 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.