Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 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 $17,310 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 22.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $115,280 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$47,640$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $47,640 | $66,030 | $-18,390 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,980 | $78,610 | $-19,630 |
| Median (50th) | $76,290 | $93,600 | $-17,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,190 | $107,960 | $-10,770 |
| 90th Percentile | $115,280 | $135,320 | $-20,040 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,320 | $98,430 | $-19,110 |
Employment Numbers
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $150,650 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $115,630 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $114,200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,630 |
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: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $17,310 (22.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries range from $47,640 (10th percentile) to $115,280 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,290.
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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 666,990 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers has a median salary of $76,290 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