Budget Analysts 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 $5,670 more per year than Budget Analysts professionals — that's 6.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$60,510$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Budget Analysts | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,510 | $66,030 | $-5,520 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,240 | $78,610 | $-6,370 |
| Median (50th) | $87,930 | $93,600 | $-5,670 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,380 | $107,960 | +$2,420 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,640 | $135,320 | $-680 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,920 | $98,430 | $-4,510 |
Employment Numbers
Budget Analysts
47,170
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Budget Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $141,590 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $125,170 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $121,890 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $103,960 |
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: Budget Analysts or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $5,670 (6.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Budget Analysts?
Budget Analysts salaries range from $60,510 (10th percentile) to $134,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $87,930.
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 Budget Analysts and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 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