Who salary is higher NP or PA?

[Beautiful_Beginnings, ASN, RN]

I have been Researching the NP and PA profession there are some distinct differences, but also many strong similarities. However, online the "average" salary of a NP and PA seem to be unanimous. However, many articles and blogs I have read from practicing NP state PA may be getting paid more. Do you believe that is true or not? If so then why do you think that is?

[Polly Peptide, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I do believe PAs are earning a bit more, for a couple of reasons. They tend to be more prevalent in some of the higher paid areas (like surgery and ER), but NPs can work in those areas just as easily...and when they do, all other things being equal, the pay is about the same.

I think the reason the AVERAGE is more for PAs is because there are more women in nursing. Women tend to be less aggressive about negotiating. Men are more likely to negotiate, increasing their average salary. This is mirroring a larger trend in employment in general. So if either an NP or a PA can fill the same job, and the NP is female and the PA is male...it's simply more likely that the male PA's salary would be higher. Because he negotiated.

Not trying to be inflammatory. We gotta do better ladies.

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

I think averages are misleading. You need to look at the pay of PA versus NP for the same type of job in the same type of setting. Averages also include people who work part time. The average pay of all PAs versus all NPs might be skewed because PAs are more likely to work in hospital settings, while NPs are more likely to work in primary care.

[Dodongo, APRN, NP]

All things being equal - specialty of medicine, years of experience, masters degree, etc - an NP and PA will make the same salary. Overall, depending on where you look, the "average" yearly salary for PAs and NPs is pretty much the same.

PAs own surgery which are high paying specialties. But NPs own neonatal and psych (and woman's health/OB really) for the most part which are higher paying. I would say in my area NPs own ICU as well. But for the most part NPs like outpatient care which is lower paying, while PAs choose inpatient care which pays more.

But you should always compare apples to apples. Don't compare a new grad primary care NP to a 20 year thoracic surgery PA salary because there will be a discrepancy.

[Dranger]

Too vague of a question really: you can't compare a primary care FNP job to ortho/neuro assist PA in terms of salary.