Salaries/Physician Assistant vs Nurse Practitioner

Physician Assistant vs Nurse Practitioner Salary

Side-by-side 2026 salary comparison across entry-level, mid-level, and senior pay for Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner roles in the US.

Bottom line (mid-level, US median)

Nurse Practitioners earn $12,000 (10% more) than Physician Assistants on average.

Physician Assistant vs Nurse Practitioner by City

LocationPhysician Assistant (Mid)Nurse Practitioner (Mid)Difference
New York$151K$166K$-15K
Los Angeles$136K$150K$-14K
Chicago$124K$137K$-13K
Dallas$118K$130K$-12K
Houston$117K$129K$-12K
Washington D.C.$142K$156K$-14K
Philadelphia$120K$133K$-13K
Atlanta$118K$130K$-12K

Healthcare

Physician Assistant

Diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and assist physicians in patient care across specialties.

See Physician Assistant salaries in all cities →

Healthcare

Nurse Practitioner

Diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medications, and lead primary or specialty care visits.

See Nurse Practitioner salaries in all cities →
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