Career comparison
Pediatrician vs. Registered Nurse
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Pediatricians earn more at the median ($210,040 vs. $97,550), while registered nurses usually get to work faster (2–4 years of training). Pediatricians care for the health of babies, children and teens. 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
| Pediatrician | Registered Nurse | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $210,040 ($100.98/hr) | $97,550 ($46.90/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $91,470 – $338,500 | $68,940 – $137,470 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.5% (slower than average) | +5.6% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,000 | 180,800 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 11 years after high school | 2–4 years |
| Key credential | ABP board certification | NCLEX-RN license |
| Work setting | Pediatricians work in clinics, hospitals, nurseries and community health centers.. | 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
Pediatrician
- Examine newborns and children
- Track growth and development
- Give vaccines
- Diagnose and treat illnesses
- Manage chronic conditions like asthma
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 helping others, high-pay, working with people, and indoor work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose pediatrician if…
- I love working with kids
- I communicate well with parents
- I like prevention
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 Pediatrician fit quiz and the Registered Nurse fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, pediatrician or registered nurse?
Pediatricians earn more at the median: $210,040 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 pediatricians (11 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects registered nurses to grow +5.6% from 2025–35, compared with +1.5% for pediatricians.