Based on salary data as of May 2024, registered nurses (RNs) have an average annual salary of approximately $93,600, which is slightly higher than the average salary for registered diagnostic medical sonographers (RDMS), at around $89,340. While the salaries are comparable, RNs tend to earn more on average, partly due to their broader scope of practice and responsibilities across various healthcare settings. Additionally, both professions are experiencing positive job growth, with sonographers projected to grow by 15% and nurses by 6% through 2033. Ultimately, salary differences can vary depending on geographic location, experience, and specialization, but generally, nurses tend to have a higher average salary than cardiac sonographers.