Registered Nurse vs Physician (General Practice): Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Registered Nurse
Provide patient care, administer medications, and support physicians.
Physician (General Practice)
Diagnose and treat a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions.
Physician (General Practice) earns more on average — the national median is $146,630/year (150%) higher than a Registered Nurse. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Registered Nurse vs Physician (General Practice) — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Registered Nurse | Physician (General Practice) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $138,630 | $363,590 | Registered $224,960 |
| New York, NY | $115,773 | $294,372 | Registered $178,599 |
| Seattle, WA | $138,867 | $353,641 | Registered $214,774 |
| Austin, TX | $107,039 | $272,440 | Registered $165,401 |
| Chicago, IL | $102,780 | $255,595 | Registered $152,815 |
| Boston, MA | $129,765 | $311,219 | Registered $181,454 |
| London, UK | £52,037 | £101,944 | Registered $49,907 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$94,614 | CA$294,137 | Registered $199,523 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Registered Nurse or Physician (General Practice) earn more?+
A Physician (General Practice) earns more on average. The national median salary for a Registered Nurse is $97,550/year, compared to $244,180/year for a Physician (General Practice) — a difference of $146,630 (150%).
Which has better career growth — Registered Nurse or Physician (General Practice)?+
Registered Nurse roles are growing at 6% YoY while Physician (General Practice) demand is growing at 5% YoY. Registered Nurse has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Registered Nurse to Physician (General Practice)?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Patient Care, EMR.
Which is harder to automate — Registered Nurse or Physician (General Practice)?+
Physician (General Practice) has a lower AI automation risk (10% vs 15%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.