Civil Engineers vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $5,990 more per year than Registered Nurses professionals — that's 6.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$65,920$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $66,030 | $-110 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $78,610 | +$180 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $93,600 | +$5,990 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $107,960 | +$20,330 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $135,320 | +$25,670 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $98,430 | +$8,620 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
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: Civil Engineers or Registered Nurses?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $5,990 (6.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
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 Civil Engineers and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 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