Salaries/Registered Nurse vs Nurse Practitioner

Registered Nurse vs Nurse Practitioner Salary

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

Bottom line (mid-level, US median)

Nurse Practitioners earn $43,000 (35% more) than Registered Nurses on average.

Registered Nurse vs Nurse Practitioner by City

Location	Registered Nurse (Mid)	Nurse Practitioner (Mid)	Difference
New York	$109K	$166K	$-57K
Los Angeles	$98K	$150K	$-52K
Chicago	$89K	$137K	$-48K
Dallas	$85K	$130K	$-45K
Houston	$84K	$129K	$-45K
Washington D.C.	$102K	$156K	$-54K
Philadelphia	$87K	$133K	$-46K
Atlanta	$85K	$130K	$-45K

Healthcare

Provide direct patient care, administer treatments, and coordinate with healthcare teams.

Healthcare

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

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