Nurse Practitioner vs Surgeon: 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.
Surgeon
Perform operative procedures to treat injuries, diseases, and deformities.
Surgeon earns more on average — the national median is $292,038/year (221%) 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 Surgeon — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Nurse Practitioner | Surgeon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $187,882 | $600,082 | Nurse $412,200 |
| New York, NY | $163,340 | $498,340 | Nurse $335,000 |
| Seattle, WA | $192,574 | $606,568 | Nurse $413,994 |
| Austin, TX | $143,940 | $487,767 | Nurse $343,827 |
| Chicago, IL | $139,454 | $464,470 | Nurse $325,016 |
| Boston, MA | $174,490 | $566,760 | Nurse $392,270 |
| London, UK | £104,229 | £236,648 | Nurse $132,419 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$171,863 | CA$419,646 | Nurse $247,783 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Nurse Practitioner or Surgeon earn more?+
A Surgeon earns more on average. The national median salary for a Nurse Practitioner is $132,300/year, compared to $424,338/year for a Surgeon — a difference of $292,038 (221%).
Which has better career growth — Nurse Practitioner or Surgeon?+
Nurse Practitioner roles are growing at 40% YoY while Surgeon demand is growing at 4% YoY. Nurse Practitioner has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Nurse Practitioner to Surgeon?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: analytical thinking, communication, and industry knowledge.
Which is harder to automate — Nurse Practitioner or Surgeon?+
Surgeon has a lower AI automation risk (8% vs 12%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.