Cost Estimators vs Nurse Practitioners: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn $52,140 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 67.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $169,950 for Nurse Practitioners.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
$46,330$169,950
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Nurse Practitioners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $97,960 | $-51,630 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $109,940 | $-50,110 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $129,210 | $-52,140 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $149,570 | $-49,940 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $169,950 | $-41,310 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $132,000 | $-48,840 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
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: Cost Estimators or Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $52,140 (67.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
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 Cost Estimators and Nurse Practitioners jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Nurse Practitioners to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 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