Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Nurse Practitioner
Provide advanced nursing care including diagnosing and treating conditions.
Physician Assistant
Diagnose and treat patients under physician supervision.
Physician Assistant earns more on average — the national median is $3,580/year (3%) higher than a Nurse Practitioner. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Nurse Practitioner | Physician Assistant | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $187,882 | $194,171 | Nurse $6,289 |
| New York, NY | $163,340 | $161,633 | Nurse +$1,707 |
| Seattle, WA | $192,574 | $167,290 | Nurse +$25,284 |
| Austin, TX | $143,940 | $149,404 | Nurse $5,464 |
| Chicago, IL | $139,454 | $144,066 | Nurse $4,612 |
| Boston, MA | $174,490 | $176,632 | Nurse $2,142 |
| London, UK | £104,229 | £107,878 | Nurse $3,649 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$171,863 | CA$182,745 | Nurse $10,882 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant earn more?+
A Physician Assistant earns more on average. The national median salary for a Nurse Practitioner is $132,300/year, compared to $135,880/year for a Physician Assistant — a difference of $3,580 (3%).
Which has better career growth — Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant?+
Nurse Practitioner roles are growing at 40% YoY while Physician Assistant demand is growing at 28% YoY. Nurse Practitioner has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Nurse Practitioner to Physician Assistant?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Diagnosis, EMR, Clinical Assessment.
Which is harder to automate — Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant?+
Nurse Practitioner has a lower AI automation risk (12% vs 14%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.