Registered Nurses vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $59,020 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 170.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Registered Nurses earns $135,320 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Registered Nurses | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,030 | $25,600 | +$40,430 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,610 | $29,140 | +$49,470 |
| Median (50th) | $93,600 | $34,580 | +$59,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,960 | $37,850 | +$70,110 |
| 90th Percentile | $135,320 | $47,930 | +$87,390 |
| Mean (Average) | $98,430 | $37,150 | +$61,280 |
Employment Numbers
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Registered Nurses or Retail Salespersons?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $59,020 (170.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Registered Nurses and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Registered Nurses?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Registered Nurses has a median salary of $93,600 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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