Nurse Practitioners vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $3,870 more per year than Nurse Practitioners professionals — that's 3.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Nurse Practitioners earns $169,950 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$79,850$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Nurse Practitioners | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $97,960 | $79,850 | +$18,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,940 | $103,050 | +$6,890 |
| Median (50th) | $129,210 | $133,080 | $-3,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $149,570 | $169,000 | $-19,430 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,950 | $211,450 | $-41,500 |
| Mean (Average) | $132,000 | $144,570 | $-12,570 |
Employment Numbers
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Nurse Practitioners or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,870 (3.0% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Nurse Practitioners and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Nurse Practitioners?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Nurse Practitioners has a median salary of $129,210 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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