Data Scientists vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $18,990 more per year than Registered Nurses professionals — that's 20.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$63,650$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $66,030 | $-2,380 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $78,610 | +$4,020 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $93,600 | +$18,990 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $107,960 | +$47,850 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $135,320 | +$59,090 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $98,430 | +$26,160 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
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: Data Scientists or Registered Nurses?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $18,990 (20.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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