Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant Salary 2026
Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant Salary 2026
As the healthcare industry continues to evolve in 2026, both Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) remain in high demand across the United States. Understanding the salary differences between these two advanced practice roles is crucial for healthcare professionals considering their career paths. While both positions require significant education and training, they differ in their educational backgrounds, licensing requirements, and compensation packages. This comprehensive guide examines current salary data, regional variations, and specialty-specific compensation trends for both roles in 2026.
Average Salaries by Role
| Role |
Average Annual Salary (2026) |
Hourly Rate |
Median Salary |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) |
$135,480 |
$65.13 |
$132,650 |
| Physician Assistant (PA) |
$142,890 |
$68.70 |
$140,220 |
Salary by Geographic Region
| Region |
Nurse Practitioner Average Salary |
Physician Assistant Average Salary |
Difference |
| Northeast |
$148,220 |
$156,480 |
+$8,260 (PA) |
| Midwest |
$124,560 |
$131,890 |
+$7,330 (PA) |
| South |
$130,340 |
$138,750 |
+$8,410 (PA) |
| Southwest |
$132,870 |
$140,560 |
+$7,690 (PA) |
| West |
$146,890 |
$155,420 |
+$8,530 (PA) |
Highest Paying States
| State |
Nurse Practitioner Salary |
Physician Assistant Salary |
| California |
$158,900 |
$168,450 |
| Massachusetts |
$152,340 |
$162,780 |
| New York |
$151,670 |
$161,230 |
| New Jersey |
$149,560 |
$159,890 |
| Connecticut |
$148,990 |
$158,340 |
| Washington |
$147,340 |
$157,680 |
Salary by Specialty
| Specialty |
Nurse Practitioner Average Salary |
Physician Assistant Average Salary |
| Cardiology |
$148,560 |
$158,900 |
| Orthopedic Surgery |
$151,230 |
$162,450 |
| Dermatology |
$146,890 |
$156,780 |
| Emergency Medicine |
$142,340 |
$152,670 |
| Family Medicine |
$128,450 |
$136,890 |
| Psychiatry |
$135,670 |
$145,230 |
| Oncology |
$147,890 |
$158,340 |
| Primary Care/Internal Medicine |
$125,340 |
$133,560 |
Experience Level Comparison
| Experience Level |
Nurse Practitioner Salary |
Physician Assistant Salary |
| Entry Level (0-2 years) |
$115,680 |
$122,450 |
| Mid-Career (3-7 years) |
$135,200 |
$143,670 |
| Experienced (8-15 years) |
$148,900 |
$158,340 |
| Senior (15+ years) |
$158,670 |
$169,230 |
Employment Settings and Salaries
| Employment Setting |
Nurse Practitioner Average Salary |
Physician Assistant Average Salary |
| Hospital/Medical Center |
$138,450 |
$146,890 |
| Private Practice |
$139,670 |
$148,560 |
| Urgent Care Clinic |
$126,340 |
$134,780 |
| Specialized Medical Clinic |
$142,560 |
$151,890 |
| Federally Qualified Health Center |
$119,450 |
$127,340 |
| Telehealth/Remote |
$122,340 |
$130,670 |
Projected Salary Growth (2026-2031)
