Computer Programmers 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 $30,540 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 31.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $169,950 for Nurse Practitioners.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
$52,190$169,950
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Nurse Practitioners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $97,960 | $-45,770 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $109,940 | $-38,080 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $129,210 | $-30,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $149,570 | $-20,610 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $169,950 | $-7,860 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $132,000 | $-28,360 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Programmers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,560 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $122,580 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $122,000 |
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: Computer Programmers or Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $30,540 (31.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers salaries range from $52,190 (10th percentile) to $162,090 (90th percentile), with a median of $98,670.
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 Computer Programmers and Nurse Practitioners jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Nurse Practitioners to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 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