Nurse Practitioners vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Nurse Practitioners out-earn Registered Nurses by $35K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Nurse Practitioners land at $132,300 and Registered Nurses at $97,550. The education gap is real: nurse practitioner programs typically require master's degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Nurse Practitioners is California ($168,520); for Registered Nurses it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Nurse Practitioners median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Nurse Practitioners or Registered Nurses?
Nurse Practitioners earn more nationally. The median is $132,300 for Nurse Practitioners versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $35K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Nurse Practitioners or Registered Nurses?
Nurse Practitioners has the better 10-year outlook at 40.1% projected growth, compared to 4.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Nurse Practitioners or Registered Nurses?
Nurse Practitioners typically requires master's degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Nurse Practitioners get paid the most?
California is the top-paying state for Nurse Practitioners at $168,520/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Nurse Practitioners vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Nurse Practitioners earn $168,520 vs. $140,270 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.