Computer Hardware Engineers vs Nurse Practitioners: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $25,810 more per year than Nurse Practitioners professionals — that's 20.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $169,950 for Nurse Practitioners.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
$85,430$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Nurse Practitioners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $97,960 | $-12,530 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $109,940 | +$5,560 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $129,210 | +$25,810 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $149,570 | +$35,810 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $169,950 | +$53,870 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $132,000 | +$24,770 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Hardware Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $197,090 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $174,070 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $172,920 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $170,570 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $169,230 |
Best Cities for Nurse Practitioners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $225,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $220,330 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $164,520 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $164,510 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $162,470 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Nurse Practitioners?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $25,810 (20.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Hardware Engineers?
Computer Hardware Engineers salaries range from $85,430 (10th percentile) to $223,820 (90th percentile), with a median of $155,020.
What is the salary range for Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners salaries range from $97,960 (10th percentile) to $169,950 (90th percentile), with a median of $129,210.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Nurse Practitioners jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Nurse Practitioners to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Nurse Practitioners earns $129,210. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS