The 10 highest-paid specialties for NPs, PAs

A 2024 survey conducted by consulting firm SullivanCotter highlights the variation in compensation for physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

The report is based on data from nearly 850 health systems, hospitals and physician group practices representing more than 134,000 individual advanced practice providers and over 4,700 APP leaders. 

Here are the highest-paid specialties for NPs and PAs, based on median total cash compensation, which is equal to base salaries plus annual incentive awards.

Note: The lists do not include additional premium-based compensation.

Physician assistants

1. Cardiothoracic surgery: $165,198
2. Cardiovascular surgery : $158,113
3. Pediatrics – neonatal-perinatal medicine: $154,623
4. Orthopedic surgery – medical: $154,321
5. Cardiology – electrophysiology: $153,351
6. Anesthesiology – pain medicine: $151,825
7. OB-GYN – gynecologic oncology: $150,932
8. Urgent care: $147,646
9. Dermatology: $147,158
10. Radiology – interventional: $145,908

Nurse practitioners

1. Anesthesiology – pain medicine: $152,697
2. Radiology – diagnostic: $149,981
3. Psychiatry – outpatient: $148,650
4. Emergency medicine: $148,506
5. Psychiatry – inpatient: $148,474
6. Pediatrics – neonatal-perinatal medicine: $147,680
7. Psychiatry – general: $147,138
8. Orthopedic surgery – medical: $146,571
9. General surgery: $143,478
10. Oncology – hematology and oncology: $142,720

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