Career comparison
Anesthesiologist vs. Registered Nurse
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Anesthesiologists earn more at the median ($391,490 vs. $97,550), while registered nurses usually get to work faster (2–4 years of training). Anesthesiologists keep patients safe and pain-free before, during and after surgery. Registered nurses assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Anesthesiologist | Registered Nurse | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $391,490 ($188.22/hr) | $97,550 ($46.90/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $101,460 – $557,130 | $68,940 – $137,470 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.6% (about as fast as average) | +5.6% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,100 | 180,800 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 12–14 years after high school | 2–4 years |
| Key credential | Board certification (ABA) | NCLEX-RN license |
| Work setting | Anesthesiologists work in operating rooms, labor and delivery, ICUs, surgery centers and pain clinics.. | About half of RNs work in hospitals; others work in physician offices, home health, nursing homes, outpatient and ambulatory surgery centers, schools, government and the military. |
What each job does
Anesthesiologist
- Evaluate patients before anesthesia
- Plan and give anesthesia
- Manage airways and breathing
- Monitor vital signs during surgery
- Manage pain after surgery
Registered Nurse
- Assess patients’ physical and emotional condition and record observations
- Administer medications, IV fluids and treatments as ordered
- Monitor patients, interpret vital signs and lab values and recognize deterioration
- Develop and update nursing care plans
- Coordinate care with physicians, therapists, case managers and families
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, high responsibility, hands-on work, and indoor work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose anesthesiologist if…
- I love physiology and pharmacology
- I stay calm in emergencies
- I want a top-paying career
Choose registered nurse if…
- I want a career where I make a real difference in people’s health
- I can stay calm and think clearly in emergencies
- I’m willing to complete two to four years of rigorous study
Still torn? Take the Anesthesiologist fit quiz and the Registered Nurse fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, anesthesiologist or registered nurse?
Anesthesiologists earn more at the median: $391,490 versus $97,550 for registered nurses, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Registered Nurses typically train faster (2–4 years) than anesthesiologists (12–14 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects registered nurses to grow +5.6% from 2025–35, compared with +3.6% for anesthesiologists.