As stated by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly salary for Nurse Practitioners is $118,040, compared to $119,460 for Physician Assistants. This shows that these two roles earn similar salaries.
Nevertheless, it's worth noting that factors such as location, experience, and the specific workplace can affect salary. For example, Nurse Practitioners in California may have higher earnings (averaging $151,830 per year) compared to those in Tennessee ($95,120). As another example, the average wage of Physician Assistants in Connecticut is 98% higher than those in Arkansas.
Nurse Practitioners vs Physician Assistants overview
Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants are fundamental to the Health Care Services industry. There is a general interest in understanding the differences between these job titles, including the average salary for each of them.
Nurse Practitioner job description
Nurse Practitioners diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.
Nurse Practitioner education and experience
Most Nurse Practitioners (65%) have a Master's Degree. But additionally, among employees with this job title, there are also some with a Doctoral Degree (26%). With regard to experience, about a third of Nurse Practitioner occupations require a 1 to 2 years of previous work-related experience. A smaller portion of roles (35%) require a previous experience of 2 to 4 years.
Nurse Practitioner average salary
As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, the number of Nurse Practitioners employed in the United States was 234,690, and they earned an average of $118,040 per year. The bottom 10 percent had a salary of $79,470 or less, and the top 10 percent had a salary of $163,350 or more. The average salary has grown by 3.1% in comparison to the previous year.
Do Nurse Practitioners make good money?
Nurse Practitioners are typically paid well, since their mean salary is 103% above the average pay in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they make 68% more than the mean salary of the Health Care Services industry ($70,360).
Nurse Practitioners are typically paid well, since their mean salary is 103% above the average pay in the United States ($58,260).
Nurse Practitioners job growth
Nurse Practitioners have seen growth in employment over the past two years. In 2021, there have been 23,410 more job opportunities than the previous year across the nation, and that shows an increase of 11.1%. Over the past 3 years, job growth has averaged 9.4%.
Physician Assistant job description
Physician Assistants provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
Physician Assistant education and experience
Becoming a Physician Assistant typically involves completing a Master's Degree. However, among employees in this occupation, there are also some with a First Professional Degree (14%) and a Bachelor's Degree (5%). In terms of experience, 35% of Physician Assistant jobs require no previous experience. A smaller percentage of jobs (22%) require a previous experience of 6 months to 1 year.
Physician Assistant average salary
According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States had a workforce of 132,940 Physician Assistants in 2021 and the mean income they earned annually was $119,460. The lowest earning 10 percent made $77,940 or less, and the highest earning 10 percent made $164,620 or more per year. Compared to the previous year, the average salary has grown by 2.9%.
Do Physician Assistants make good money?
Physician Assistants usually receive good salaries, as their average salary is 105% higher than the average wage in the United States ($58,260). Furthermore, they earn 70% more than the average wage of the Health Care Services industry ($70,360).
Physician Assistants usually receive good salaries, as their average salary is 105% higher than the average wage in the United States ($58,260).
Physician Assistants job growth
The employment of Physician Assistants has increased over the past two years. In 2021, there have been 7,660 more positions than the previous year nationwide, which marks a rise of 6.1%. The average job growth over the past 3 years has been 5%.
FAQ
Do Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants make more?
These two professions have salaries that are similar. The average annual pay for Nurse Practitioners is $118,040, compared to $119,460 for Physician Assistants.
How long does it take to become a Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant?
Both Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant jobs usually require a Master's Degree. A Master's Degree itself usually takes between 2 years and 3 years to obtain. And, given that a Bachelor's Degree is a prerequisite, it could take around 7 years to complete the full educational process.
Is it harder to become a Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant?
The education requirements for both job titles are similar, making the difficulty of achieving either one equal.
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