Between 2021 and 2031, nurse practitioner jobs are expected to have increased by 46 percent, while physician assistant positions are projected to jump 28 percent, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report.
Nurse practitioner was ranked the second-best job in healthcare and physician assistant followed closely, ranking fourth, according to a U.S. News & World Report list. Physician dropped to the sixth spot in the latest rankings.
The average annual salary of a nurse practitioner is $118,000 and the average among physician assistants is $129,000, according to data from Medscape’s APRN and Physician Assistant Compensation reports.
Here is the average yearly salary of nurse practitioners and physician assistants with varying years of experience:
|
Nurse practitioner |
|
|
Years of experience |
Average annual salary |
|
<5 |
|
|
6-10 |
$123,000 |
|
11-20 |
$135,000 |
|
21+ |
$135,000 |
|
Physician assistant |
|
|
Years of experience |
Average annual salary |
|
<5 |
$116,000 |
|
6-10 |
$132,000 |
|
11-20 |
$137,000 |
|
21+ |
$138,000 |
*Data from nurse.org
The surveys found that 48 percent of nurse practitioners feel satisfied with their income, whereas 56 percent of physician assistants responded that they feel fairly compensated.
