Electrical Engineers 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 $17,300 more per year than Electrical Engineers professionals — that's 15.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electrical Engineers earns $175,460 compared to $169,950 for Nurse Practitioners.
Salary Range Comparison
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
$74,670$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Electrical Engineers | Nurse Practitioners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $74,670 | $97,960 | $-23,290 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,590 | $109,940 | $-22,350 |
| Median (50th) | $111,910 | $129,210 | $-17,300 |
| 75th Percentile | $141,630 | $149,570 | $-7,940 |
| 90th Percentile | $175,460 | $169,950 | +$5,510 |
| Mean (Average) | $120,980 | $132,000 | $-11,020 |
Employment Numbers
Electrical Engineers
188,790
employed nationwide
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
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: Electrical Engineers or Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $17,300 (15.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
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 Electrical Engineers and Nurse Practitioners jobs are there?
There are approximately 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions and 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Nurse Practitioners to Electrical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electrical Engineers has a median salary of $111,910 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