What is the salary difference between Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner?

Nationally, the median Registered Nurse salary is $93,600 and the median Nurse Practitioner salary is $129,210 — a difference of $35,610 per year.

Is Registered Nurse a better career than Nurse Practitioner?

Both are established careers. Registered Nurse has a median salary of $93,600 while Nurse Practitioner earns $129,210 nationally. The better choice depends on your interests, local job market, required education, and career growth goals — not salary alone.

Registered Nurse vs Nurse Practitioner Salary

Side-by-side salary comparison for Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner — national medians, pay ranges, and city-by-city data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Nurse Practitioners earn more nationally

$129,210 median vs $93,600 — a $35,610/yr difference (38% higher)

Registered Nurse →

Median Salary

$93,600

Salary Range

$66,030 – $135,320

10th–90th percentile

Nurse Practitioner →

Median Salary

$129,210

Salary Range

$97,960 – $169,950

10th–90th percentile

+38% difference

Registered Nurse vs Nurse Practitioner Salary by City

City	Registered Nurse	Nurse Practitioner	Difference
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$208,940	$225,730	+$16,790
Vallejo, CA	$192,470	$169,990	-$22,480
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$188,020	$220,330	+$32,310
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$178,900	$159,090	-$19,810
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$172,390	$164,630	-$7,760
Modesto, CA	$169,460	$164,790	-$4,670
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$169,210	$164,520	-$4,690
Yuba City, CA	$144,220	$158,280	+$14,060
Chico, CA	$141,720	$159,400	+$17,680
California	$140,330	$166,610	+$26,280
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$139,310	$140,890	+$1,580
Urban Honolulu, HI	$138,690	$130,940	-$7,750
Hawaii	$136,320	$130,940	-$5,380
Salinas, CA	$135,080	$168,270	+$33,190
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$134,620	$160,790	+$26,170
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$133,470	$171,150	+$37,680
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$133,470	$156,840	+$23,370
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$133,440	$164,510	+$31,070
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$133,090	$162,030	+$28,940
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$131,840	$161,010	+$29,170
Hanford-Corcoran, CA	$130,740	$158,400	+$27,660
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$130,680	$161,520	+$30,840
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$130,160	$162,470	+$32,310
Bend, OR	$130,150	$146,770	+$16,620

Green = higher-paying role in that city. Source: BLS OEWS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Registered Nurse or Nurse Practitioner pay more?▾

Nurse Practitioners earn more nationally, with a median salary of $129,210 versus $93,600 for Registered Nurse. That's a difference of about $35,610 per year.

What's the salary range for a Registered Nurse vs a Nurse Practitioner?▾

Registered Nurse salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile). Nurse Practitioner salaries range from $97,960 to $169,950.

Which career has more growth potential — Registered Nurse or Nurse Practitioner?▾

Salary growth depends on experience, specialization, location, and industry sector. Both roles show strong upper-quartile earnings. Check city-by-city data above — in some metros one role significantly outpaces the other, which often reflects local industry demand and competition.

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