Data Scientists 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 $16,620 more per year than Data Scientists professionals — that's 14.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $169,950 for Nurse Practitioners.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
$63,650$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Nurse Practitioners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $97,960 | $-34,310 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $109,940 | $-27,310 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $129,210 | $-16,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $149,570 | +$6,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $169,950 | +$24,460 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $132,000 | $-7,410 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
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: Data Scientists or Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $16,620 (14.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Nurse Practitioners jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Nurse Practitioners to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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