Public Relations Specialists 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 $23,820 more per year than Public Relations Specialists professionals — that's 34.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Public Relations Specialists earns $129,480 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$40,750$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Public Relations Specialists | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $40,750 | $66,030 | $-25,280 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,970 | $78,610 | $-26,640 |
| Median (50th) | $69,780 | $93,600 | $-23,820 |
| 75th Percentile | $95,940 | $107,960 | $-12,020 |
| 90th Percentile | $129,480 | $135,320 | $-5,840 |
| Mean (Average) | $80,310 | $98,430 | $-18,120 |
Employment Numbers
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Public Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $98,460 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $95,370 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $93,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,060 |
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: Public Relations Specialists or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $23,820 (34.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Public Relations Specialists?
Public Relations Specialists salaries range from $40,750 (10th percentile) to $129,480 (90th percentile), with a median of $69,780.
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 Public Relations Specialists and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Public Relations Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Public Relations Specialists has a median salary of $69,780 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