Career comparison
Cardiologist vs. Registered Nurse
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Cardiologists earn more at the median ($496,010 vs. $97,550), while registered nurses usually get to work faster (2–4 years of training). Cardiologists diagnose and treat diseases of the heart and blood vessels. 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
| Cardiologist | Registered Nurse | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $496,010 ($238.47/hr) | $97,550 ($46.90/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $107,190 – $712,130 | $68,940 – $137,470 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.8% (about as fast as average) | +5.6% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 500 | 180,800 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 14+ years after high school | 2–4 years |
| Key credential | ABIM cardiovascular disease certification | NCLEX-RN license |
| Work setting | Cardiologists work in hospitals, catheterization labs and outpatient 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
Cardiologist
- Evaluate heart symptoms
- Read EKGs and imaging
- Manage heart failure and hypertension
- Treat arrhythmias
- Perform catheterizations and stents
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, helping others, and indoor work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose cardiologist if…
- I’m fascinated by the heart
- I want to do life-saving procedures
- I handle emergencies well
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 Cardiologist fit quiz and the Registered Nurse fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, cardiologist or registered nurse?
Cardiologists earn more at the median: $496,010 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 cardiologists (14+ years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects registered nurses to grow +5.6% from 2025–35, compared with +4.8% for cardiologists.