Career comparison
Obstetrician-Gynecologist vs. Registered Nurse
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Obstetrician-gynecologists earn more at the median ($292,910 vs. $97,550), while registered nurses usually get to work faster (2–4 years of training). Obstetrician-gynecologists care for women’s reproductive health, pregnancy and childbirth. 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
| Obstetrician-Gynecologist | Registered Nurse | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $292,910 ($140.82/hr) | $97,550 ($46.90/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $94,680 – $437,300 | $68,940 – $137,470 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.7% (slower than average) | +5.6% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 500 | 180,800 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 12 years after high school | 2–4 years |
| Key credential | ABOG board certification | NCLEX-RN license |
| Work setting | OB-GYNs work in clinics, hospitals, labor and delivery units and operating rooms.. | 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
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
- Provide prenatal care
- Deliver babies and perform cesarean sections
- Manage high-risk pregnancies
- Perform gynecologic exams and screenings
- Treat reproductive conditions
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, helping others, hands-on work, and shift work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose obstetrician-gynecologist if…
- I want to care for women’s health
- I like both clinic and surgery
- I stay calm in emergencies
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 Obstetrician-Gynecologist fit quiz and the Registered Nurse fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, obstetrician-gynecologist or registered nurse?
Obstetrician-Gynecologists earn more at the median: $292,910 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 obstetrician-gynecologists (12 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects registered nurses to grow +5.6% from 2025–35, compared with +1.7% for obstetrician-gynecologists.