Human Resources Managers vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn $46,430 more per year than Registered Nurses professionals — that's 49.6% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Managers$83,790 – N/A
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$66,030$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Managers | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $83,790 | $66,030 | +$17,760 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,590 | $78,610 | +$26,980 |
| Median (50th) | $140,030 | $93,600 | +$46,430 |
| 75th Percentile | $189,960 | $107,960 | +$82,000 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $135,320 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $160,480 | $98,430 | +$62,050 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Managers
215,520
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $176,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $172,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $155,390 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $147,070 |
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: Human Resources Managers or Registered Nurses?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $46,430 (49.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers salaries range from $83,790 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $140,030.
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 Human Resources Managers and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 215,520 Human Resources Managers positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Human Resources Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Managers has a median salary of $140,030 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