Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant
Physician Assistants earn $4,400 more than nurse practitioners on average (3.6% higher). Compare salaries, skills, education, and career outlook side by side.
Nurse Practitioner
$121,610
median salary
Physician Assistant
$126,010
median salary
Salary Comparison
| Metric | Nurse Practitioner | Physician Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $121,610 | $126,010 |
| Mean Salary | $124,680 | $130,020 |
| Entry Level | $90,000 | $88,000 |
| Mid Level | $122,000 | $126,000 |
| Senior Level | $155,000 | $162,000 |
| 10th Percentile | $87,100 | $84,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,200 | $174,000 |
Career Details
Nurse Practitioner Healthcare
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and manage patient care independently or collaboratively with physicians.
Education Master's degree
Growth Rate 40% (much faster than average)
Total Employed 264,800
Key Skills
Advanced AssessmentPharmacologyDiagnosisPatient EducationEMR SystemsClinical Decision-Making
Typical Duties
- Diagnose acute and chronic medical conditions
- Prescribe medications and develop treatment plans
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests
- Counsel patients on preventive care and healthy lifestyles
- Collaborate with physicians and specialists on complex cases
Physician Assistant Healthcare
Physician assistants practice medicine under physician supervision, examining patients, diagnosing conditions, prescribing treatments, and assisting in surgical procedures.
Education Master's degree
Growth Rate 28% (much faster than average)
Total Employed 148,000
Key Skills
Clinical AssessmentPharmacologySurgical AssistingPatient CommunicationEMR SystemsDiagnosis
Typical Duties
- Conduct physical examinations and patient histories
- Diagnose and treat common illnesses and injuries
- Prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests
- Assist in surgical procedures and post-operative care
- Provide patient education and preventive health counseling
Top 5 Paying States
Summary: Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant
Physician Assistants earn a median salary of $126,010 compared to $121,610 for nurse practitioners — a difference of $4,400 (3.6%). However, nurse practitioner has stronger job growth at 40% vs 28%.