Paramedic vs Registered Nurse
How Paramedic and Registered Nurse compare on pay, training, study load, shifts and demand.
| Compare | Paramedic | Registered Nurse |
|---|---|---|
| Band | Band 5–6 | Band 5 |
| Salary | £32,073–£48,117 | £32,073–£39,043 |
| Time to reach | 3 years (degree) | 3–4 years (degree or apprenticeship) |
| Study intensity | High | High |
| Shift work | High | High |
| Competition | Medium | Medium |
| Long-term progression | High | High |
| Demand | High demand | Growing |
Which is right for you?
Paramedic or Registered Nurse — which pays more?
Paramedic sits on Band 5–6 (£32,073–£48,117); Registered Nurse on Band 5 (£32,073–£39,043).
See what each route would pay you
Build your personalised forecast and skills plan — free to start.
Create my career map →Dig deeper
Indicative — England 2026/27 Agenda for Change basic pay, excludes High Cost Area Supplements, unsocial-hours and overtime. Typical timings are national averages, not guarantees. Not financial advice. See data sources.