Nurse Practitioners vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn $85,750 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 197.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Nurse Practitioners earns $169,950 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$35,100$169,950
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Nurse Practitioners | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $97,960 | $35,100 | +$62,860 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,940 | $36,920 | +$73,020 |
| Median (50th) | $129,210 | $43,460 | +$85,750 |
| 75th Percentile | $149,570 | $48,580 | +$100,990 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,950 | $59,450 | +$110,500 |
| Mean (Average) | $132,000 | $44,800 | +$87,200 |
Employment Numbers
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Pharmacy Technicians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $70,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $61,990 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,960 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $55,810 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $54,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Nurse Practitioners or Pharmacy Technicians?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $85,750 (197.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians salaries range from $35,100 (10th percentile) to $59,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,460.
How many Nurse Practitioners and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Nurse Practitioners?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Nurse Practitioners has a median salary of $129,210 while Pharmacy Technicians earns $43,460. 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