Accountants and Auditors vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $11,920 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 14.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$52,780$141,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $66,030 | $-13,250 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $78,610 | $-13,950 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $93,600 | $-11,920 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $107,960 | $-1,510 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $135,320 | +$6,100 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $98,430 | $-4,910 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $11,920 (14.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS