Construction Managers vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Construction Managers professionals earn $13,380 more per year than Registered Nurses professionals — that's 14.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Construction Managers earns $176,990 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Construction Managers$65,160 – $176,990
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$65,160$176,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Construction Managers | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,160 | $66,030 | $-870 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,480 | $78,610 | +$4,870 |
| Median (50th) | $106,980 | $93,600 | +$13,380 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,330 | $107,960 | +$31,370 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,990 | $135,320 | +$41,670 |
| Mean (Average) | $119,660 | $98,430 | +$21,230 |
Employment Numbers
Construction Managers
348,330
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Construction Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $151,980 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,000 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $136,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,730 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $128,190 |
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: Construction Managers or Registered Nurses?
Construction Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $13,380 (14.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Construction Managers?
Construction Managers salaries range from $65,160 (10th percentile) to $176,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,980.
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 Construction Managers and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 348,330 Construction Managers positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Construction Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Construction Managers has a median salary of $106,980 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