Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Nurse Practitioner vs Surgeon salary

In United States, a surgeon earns about 178% more than a nurse practitioner $433,000 vs $156,000 per year.

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

Healthcare
Nurse Practitioner
$156,000/yr
Monthly
$13,000
Hourly
$75
Range
$113,900$207,500
10-yr outlook
+45%
Pays more
Healthcare
Surgeon
$433,000/yr
Monthly
$36,100
Hourly
$208
Range
$277,100$623,500
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileNurse PractitionerSurgeon
Entry (10th)$113,900$277,100
25th$134,900$355,100
Median$156,000$433,000
75th$181,700$528,300
Senior (90th)$207,500$623,500

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 surgeon earn more in United States?
A surgeon earns more, at about $433,000 per year vs $156,000 for a nurse practitioner — roughly 178% ($277,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A nurse practitioner typically earns $113,900–$207,500, while a surgeon earns $277,100–$623,500 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 surgeon about $36,100.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a nurse practitioner earns about $113,900 while a surgeon earns about $277,100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a nurse practitioner earns about $207,500 while a surgeon earns about $623,500 per year.
Are nurse practitioner and surgeon 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.