Pay by Role
Germany · Salary comparison

Registered Nurse vs Surgeon salary

In Germany, a surgeon earns about 468% more than a registered nurse $449,366 vs $79,152 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is EUR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Healthcare
Registered Nurse
$79,152/yr
Monthly
$6,615
Hourly
$38
Range
$57,825$105,270
10-yr outlook
+6%
Pays more
Healthcare
Surgeon
$449,366/yr
Monthly
$37,409
Hourly
$216
Range
$287,640$647,133
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileRegistered NurseSurgeon
Entry (10th)$57,825$287,640
25th$68,431$368,503
Median$79,152$449,366
75th$92,268$548,250
Senior (90th)$105,270$647,133

National Germany figures in EUR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a registered nurse or surgeon earn more in Germany?
A surgeon earns more, at about 394.000 € per year vs 69.400 € for a registered nurse — roughly 468% (324.600 €) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Germany?
A registered nurse typically earns 50.700 €–92.300 €, while a surgeon earns 252.200 €–567.400 € per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Germany?
On a monthly basis before tax, a registered nurse averages about 5.800 € and a surgeon about 32.800 €.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Germany, a registered nurse earns about 50.700 € while a surgeon earns about 252.200 € per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Germany, a registered nurse earns about 92.300 € while a surgeon earns about 567.400 € per year.
Are registered nurse and surgeon similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.