RN vs. NP vs. PA pay in 2025: 7 comparisons to know

Nurse practitioners out-earned their registered nurse and physician assistant counterparts when it came to base pay in 2024, according to annual compensation reports from Medscape. 

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Here are seven comparisons on RN, NP and PA compensation from 2024: 

Average base salary

RNs: $91,000

NPs: $132,000

PAs: $131,000

Total compensation (including bonuses, etc.) 

RNs: $95,000

NPs: $135,000

PAs: $142,000

Percent of practitioners who saw pay increases in 2024

RNs: 67%

NPs: 66%

PAs: 59%

Percent of practitioners who feel fairly paid 

RNs: 52%

NPs: 52%

PAs: 53%

Highest earning practice setting: 

RNs: Hospital inpatient care

NPs: Hospital inpatient care

PAs: Operating rooms

Highest earning region: 

RNs: Pacific region 

NPs: Pacific region 

PAs: Pacific region 

Average gender pay gaps for practitioners 

RNs: Women earn -$10,000

NPs: Women earn -$12,000

PAs: Women earn -$15,000

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