Career comparison
Physician Assistant vs. Registered Nurse
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Physician assistants earn more at the median ($135,880 vs. $97,550), while registered nurses usually get to work faster (2–4 years of training). Physician assistants examine, diagnose and treat patients as part of a physician-led team. 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
| Physician Assistant | Registered Nurse | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $135,880 ($65.33/hr) | $97,550 ($46.90/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $99,380 – $190,280 | $68,940 – $137,470 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +21.1% (much faster than average) | +5.6% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 11,500 | 180,800 |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | About 6–7 years after high school | 2–4 years |
| Key credential | PA-C (NCCPA certification) | NCLEX-RN license |
| Work setting | PAs work in clinics, hospitals, emergency departments 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
Physician Assistant
- Take medical histories and examine patients
- Order and interpret tests
- Diagnose illnesses and injuries
- Prescribe medications
- Perform procedures and assist in 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 helping others, high-pay, in-demand, and high responsibility. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose physician assistant if…
- I want to diagnose and treat patients
- I love science
- I want a faster path than medical school
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 Physician Assistant fit quiz and the Registered Nurse fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, physician assistant or registered nurse?
Physician Assistants earn more at the median: $135,880 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 physician assistants (About 6–7 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects physician assistants to grow +21.1% from 2025–35, compared with +5.6% for registered nurses.