Medical and Health Services Managers vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Medical and Health Services Managers professionals earn $24,360 more per year than Registered Nurses professionals — that's 26.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Medical and Health Services Managers earns $219,080 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Medical and Health Services Managers$69,680 – $219,080
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$66,030$219,080
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Medical and Health Services Managers | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $69,680 | $66,030 | +$3,650 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,560 | $78,610 | +$9,950 |
| Median (50th) | $117,960 | $93,600 | +$24,360 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,420 | $107,960 | +$54,460 |
| 90th Percentile | $219,080 | $135,320 | +$83,760 |
| Mean (Average) | $137,730 | $98,430 | +$39,300 |
Employment Numbers
Medical and Health Services Managers
565,840
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Medical and Health Services Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $168,750 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $167,460 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $160,640 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $157,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $153,910 |
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: Medical and Health Services Managers or Registered Nurses?
Medical and Health Services Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,360 (26.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Medical and Health Services Managers?
Medical and Health Services Managers salaries range from $69,680 (10th percentile) to $219,080 (90th percentile), with a median of $117,960.
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 Medical and Health Services Managers and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 565,840 Medical and Health Services Managers positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Medical and Health Services Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Medical and Health Services Managers has a median salary of $117,960 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