Side-by-side comparison of salary, skills, and career outlook for Registered Nurse and Medical Assistant positions in 2026.
Registered Nurses earn approximately $37,000 more per year on average.
Registered Nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients about health conditions, and offer emotional support to patients and their families. RNs work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, and home health settings across a wide range of specialties. Nursing offers exceptional job security with the BLS projecting 6% growth through 2032 and a persistent national shortage of qualified nurses.
Medical Assistants perform both clinical and administrative tasks in physicians' offices, hospitals, and outpatient clinics. They take vital signs, prepare patients for exams, administer medications, draw blood, and handle scheduling, billing, and medical records. The role is one of the fastest-growing occupations in healthcare, offering a quick entry path into the medical field with strong upward mobility.