Human Resources Specialists 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 $56,300 more per year than Human Resources Specialists professionals — that's 77.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Human Resources Specialists earns $126,540 compared to $169,950 for Nurse Practitioners.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
$45,440$169,950
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Specialists | Nurse Practitioners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $45,440 | $97,960 | $-52,520 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,870 | $109,940 | $-54,070 |
| Median (50th) | $72,910 | $129,210 | $-56,300 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,270 | $149,570 | $-52,300 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,540 | $169,950 | $-43,410 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,730 | $132,000 | $-52,270 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
employed nationwide
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
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: Human Resources Specialists or Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $56,300 (77.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
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 Human Resources Specialists and Nurse Practitioners jobs are there?
There are approximately 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions and 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Nurse Practitioners to Human Resources Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Specialists has a median salary of $72,910 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