Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Nurse Practitioner vs Physical Therapist salary

In United States, a nurse practitioner earns about 42% more than a physical therapist $156,000 vs $110,000 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Healthcare
Nurse Practitioner
$156,000/yr
Monthly
$13,000
Hourly
$75
Range
$113,900$207,500
10-yr outlook
+45%
Healthcare
Physical Therapist
$110,000/yr
Monthly
$9,200
Hourly
$53
Range
$82,300$143,900
10-yr outlook
+15%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileNurse PractitionerPhysical Therapist
Entry (10th)$113,900$82,300
25th$134,900$96,100
Median$156,000$110,000
75th$181,700$126,900
Senior (90th)$207,500$143,900

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a nurse practitioner or physical therapist earn more in United States?
A nurse practitioner earns more, at about $156,000 per year vs $110,000 for a physical therapist — roughly 42% ($46,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A nurse practitioner typically earns $113,900–$207,500, while a physical therapist earns $82,300–$143,900 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a nurse practitioner averages about $13,000 and a physical therapist about $9,200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a nurse practitioner earns about $113,900 while a physical therapist earns about $82,300 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a nurse practitioner earns about $207,500 while a physical therapist earns about $143,900 per year.
Are nurse practitioner and physical therapist similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.