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

LocationRegistered 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

Registered Nurse

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

See Registered Nurse 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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