Nurse Practitioners vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn $52,920 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 69.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Nurse Practitioners earns $169,950 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$47,640$169,950
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Nurse Practitioners | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $97,960 | $47,640 | +$50,320 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,940 | $58,980 | +$50,960 |
| Median (50th) | $129,210 | $76,290 | +$52,920 |
| 75th Percentile | $149,570 | $97,190 | +$52,380 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,950 | $115,280 | +$54,670 |
| Mean (Average) | $132,000 | $79,320 | +$52,680 |
Employment Numbers
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $150,650 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $115,630 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $114,200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,630 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Nurse Practitioners or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $52,920 (69.4% 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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries range from $47,640 (10th percentile) to $115,280 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,290.
How many Nurse Practitioners and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions and 666,990 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers to Nurse Practitioners?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Nurse Practitioners has a median salary of $129,210 while Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $76,290. 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