Family Medicine Physicians vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Family Medicine Physicians professionals earn $144,780 more per year than Registered Nurses professionals — that's 154.7% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Family Medicine Physicians$81,330 – N/A
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$66,030$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Family Medicine Physicians | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $81,330 | $66,030 | +$15,300 |
| 25th Percentile | $167,580 | $78,610 | +$88,970 |
| Median (50th) | $238,380 | $93,600 | +$144,780 |
| 75th Percentile | N/A | $107,960 | N/A |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $135,320 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $256,830 | $98,430 | +$158,400 |
Employment Numbers
Family Medicine Physicians
107,950
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Family Medicine Physicians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | $236,160 |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | $235,230 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $234,800 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $234,060 |
| Tucson, AZ | $225,970 |
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: Family Medicine Physicians or Registered Nurses?
Family Medicine Physicians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $144,780 (154.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Family Medicine Physicians?
Family Medicine Physicians salaries range from $81,330 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $238,380.
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 Family Medicine Physicians and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 107,950 Family Medicine Physicians positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Family Medicine Physicians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Family Medicine Physicians has a median salary of $238,380 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