Nurse Practitioners vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn $28,460 more per year than Project Management Specialists professionals — that's 28.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Nurse Practitioners earns $169,950 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$59,830$169,950
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Nurse Practitioners | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $97,960 | $59,830 | +$38,130 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,940 | $76,950 | +$32,990 |
| Median (50th) | $129,210 | $100,750 | +$28,460 |
| 75th Percentile | $149,570 | $131,660 | +$17,910 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,950 | $165,790 | +$4,160 |
| Mean (Average) | $132,000 | $108,100 | +$23,900 |
Employment Numbers
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
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 Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Nurse Practitioners or Project Management Specialists?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $28,460 (28.2% 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 Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Nurse Practitioners and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Nurse Practitioners?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Nurse Practitioners has a median salary of $129,210 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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