Psychiatrists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Psychiatrists out-earn Registered Nurses by $184K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Psychiatrists land at $281,870 and Registered Nurses at $97,550. The education gap is real: psychiatrist programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Psychiatrists is California ($353,500); for Registered Nurses it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Psychiatrists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Psychiatrists or Registered Nurses?
Psychiatrists earn more nationally. The median is $281,870 for Psychiatrists versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $184K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Psychiatrists or Registered Nurses?
Psychiatrists has the better 10-year outlook at 6.1% projected growth, compared to 4.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Psychiatrists or Registered Nurses?
Psychiatrists typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Psychiatrists get paid the most?
California is the top-paying state for Psychiatrists at $353,500/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Psychiatrists vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Psychiatrists earn $353,500 vs. $140,270 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.