Financial Analysts vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Analysts professionals earn $7,750 more per year than Registered Nurses professionals — that's 8.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Financial Analysts earns $180,550 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$62,410$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Financial Analysts | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,410 | $66,030 | $-3,620 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,300 | $78,610 | $-310 |
| Median (50th) | $101,350 | $93,600 | +$7,750 |
| 75th Percentile | $132,050 | $107,960 | +$24,090 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,550 | $135,320 | +$45,230 |
| Mean (Average) | $116,490 | $98,430 | +$18,060 |
Employment Numbers
Financial Analysts
340,580
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Financial Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $134,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $128,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $110,450 |
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: Financial Analysts or Registered Nurses?
Financial Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $7,750 (8.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts salaries range from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,350.
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 Financial Analysts and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 340,580 Financial Analysts positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Financial Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Financial Analysts has a median salary of $101,350 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