Skip to content

RN vs NP Nursing License

Average Salary
$81,220
RN
vs
$121,610
NP
Job Growth
6%
RN
vs
45%
NP
Workforce
3.1M+
RN
vs
355K+
NP

Side-by-Side Comparison

Category RN NP
Average Salary $81,220 $121,610
Workforce Size
Larger workforce = more job opportunities
3.1M+ 355K+
Job Growth Rate 6% 45%
Certification Exam NCLEX-RN NP Certification Exam
Multi-State Compact Yes Yes

Key Differences

Salary

NPs earn $40,390 more per year on average than RNs.

Winner: NP

Job Growth

NP is growing at 45%, indicating stronger demand.

Winner: NP

Category Winners

Higher Salary
NP $121,610
vs RN ($81,220)
Faster Growth
NP 45%
vs RN (6%)
Larger Workforce
RN 3.1M+
vs NP (355K+)

Registered Nurse

Registered Nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients about health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support.

View RN state requirements →

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary and specialty healthcare services, including diagnosing conditions, prescribing medications, and managing patient care.

View NP state requirements →

Explore More Comparisons

Compare specific state requirements for each profession.

All Nursing License Comparisons