Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Registered Nurse vs Veterinarian salary

In United States, a veterinarian earns about 28% more than a registered nurse $129,000 vs $101,000 per year.

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

Healthcare
Registered Nurse
$101,000/yr
Monthly
$8,400
Hourly
$49
Range
$73,700$134,300
10-yr outlook
+6%
Pays more
Healthcare
Veterinarian
$129,000/yr
Monthly
$10,800
Hourly
$62
Range
$90,700$175,800
10-yr outlook
+19%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileRegistered NurseVeterinarian
Entry (10th)$73,700$90,700
25th$87,400$109,800
Median$101,000$129,000
75th$117,700$152,400
Senior (90th)$134,300$175,800

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a registered nurse or veterinarian earn more in United States?
A veterinarian earns more, at about $129,000 per year vs $101,000 for a registered nurse — roughly 28% ($28,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A registered nurse typically earns $73,700–$134,300, while a veterinarian earns $90,700–$175,800 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a registered nurse averages about $8,400 and a veterinarian about $10,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a registered nurse earns about $73,700 while a veterinarian earns about $90,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a registered nurse earns about $134,300 while a veterinarian earns about $175,800 per year.
Are registered nurse and veterinarian 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.