who makes more money nurse practitioner or lawyer

by Margie Douglas 8 min read

Full Answer

Do lawyers get paid more than nurses?

Pay for each profession varies significantly by work setting and location. On the whole, though, lawyers earn much more than the typical nurse. The average lawyer earned $130,880 as of May 2012, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By comparison, the average registered nurse earned $67,930. Lawyers made nearly twice as much as RNs.

Do physician assistants make more than nurse practitioners?

On average, physician assistants earn around $3.7K more than nurse practitioners annually. But salaries vary widely based on where you live, your specialty, and a number of other factors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for nurse practitioners was $111,680, in 2020.

How much does a nurse practitioner make a year?

General nurse practitioners earn a mean salary of $111,840 per year, according to the May 2019 BLS. General nurse practitioners typically work 40 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately $53.77. Career Outlook for Nurse Practitioners

Are nurse practitioners in demand in the US?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for nurse practitioners is expected to grow by 45% by 2029. This is much faster than the national average of other healthcare-related professions included Registered Nurses.

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What makes more nurse or lawyer?

Typical Pay By comparison, the average registered nurse earned $67,930. Lawyers made nearly twice as much as RNs. The average for lawyers providing basic legal services to criminal and civil clients was $137,180. The majority of RNs work in doctors' offices and hospitals, where average pay was $69,490.

Who makes more than a lawyer?

doctorsHowever, on average, the data shows that doctors make more than lawyers. To the surprise of some, the reality is that the discrepancy is not even close. Specifically, the average doctor makes $208,000 per year, while the average lawyer makes $118,160.

Who makes more than a nurse?

Doctors. While both nurse practitioners and doctors can enjoy the benefit of great incomes, doctors make almost twice as much as nurse practitioners. In fact, according to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, doctors typically earn an average annual salary of about $200,000 or more.

Can nurses be millionaires?

A common question aspiring nurses ask on their journey to becoming healthcare providers is, “can nurses become millionaires?” The good news is that nurses can and do become millionaires! However, it takes time, effort, planning, and pursuing the appropriate career route.

What type of lawyer is highest paid?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice areaTax attorney (tax law): $122,000.Corporate lawyer: $115,000.Employment lawyer: $87,000.Real Estate attorney: $86,000.Divorce attorney: $84,000.Immigration attorney: $84,000.Estate attorney: $83,000.Public Defender: $63,000.More items...•

Which degree is harder law or medicine?

it's definately a lot easier to get on a law degree than medicine. medicine is also a much longer degree and requires a more dedication (although to do well in law you obviously need to be really hardworking too).

Can nurse practitioners be rich?

As you can see from the chart below, nurse practitioners are rich compared to non-advanced practice nurses such as RNs and nurse instructors. With an average annual salary of $114,510, a nurse practitioner makes substantially more than a registered nurse who makes $80,010 on average per year.

What is the highest paid nurse practitioner?

1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist ($181,040) The highest paid profession for an NP seems to be that of the Nurse Anesthetist. As of May 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts their median hourly wage at $87, making it the top paid position for a nurse with an MSN.

What is the highest paid nursing job?

Highest Paid Nursing Jobs:Family Nurse – $113,000.Urgent Care Nurse – $113,000.Oncology Nurse – $113,000.Orthopedic Nurse – $115,000.Cardiac Nurse – $116,000.Emergency Room Nurse – $116,000.Neonatal Nurse – $127,000.Nurse Anesthetist – $189,000.More items...•

How can a NP make a lot of money?

There are several steps that highly skilled nurse practitioners can take to make the move toward this greater level of compensation.Pursue Continuing Education or Additional Certifications. ... Explore New Areas of Nursing. ... Gain Work Experience. ... Negotiate Better Nursing Contracts. ... Produce Medical Writing. ... Recommended Reading:More items...

Can nurses make 6 figures?

Can Nurses Make Six Figures? Yes, you can 100% make six figures as a nurse. The disclaimer is that working in some states may make this easier than working in other states. Geographic location is a huge indicator of starting salary and can be a reason why some of you are not as close to others when looking at raw data.

How can a nurse make 7 figures?

Here are some ways for nurses to make extra money:Work the night shift.Pull an occasional extra shift.Keep up with your certifications.Add additional certifications to your resume.Work in critical care areas (ER or ICU)Work as a travel nurse.Earn an advanced degree.Move into management.More items...•

Which nurses make the most money?

The highest-paid nursing specialty is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), averaging an annual salary of $183,580. However, travel nurs...

Can a nurse be a millionaire?

It is possible for a nurse to become a millionaire, but they would need to take on a high-level leadership position and/or other income streams, su...

How can a nurse make $100K?

An RN can make $100K in an advanced practitioner position, such as becoming a CRNA, NP, or CNM, becoming a nurse manager, travel nurse, or by takin...

What nurses are the happiest?

Advanced practice nurses, including nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and CRNAs, all report the highest levels of job satisfaction.

Who makes better wages, nurses or lawyers?

Who Makes Better Wages: Nurses or Lawyers? Nurses and lawyers are both highly paid professionals. Nurse s provide basic health care in a variety of medical settings, and lawyers defend clients, prosecute cases or represent clients in civil cases. Pay for each profession varies significantly by work setting and location.

What is the difference between a nurse and a lawyer?

Nurses and lawyers are both highly paid professionals. Nurses provide basic health care in a variety of medical settings, and lawyers defend clients, prosecute cases or represent clients in civil cases. Pay for each profession varies significantly by work setting and location. On the whole, though, lawyers earn much ...

How many years of college do lawyers need to become a nurse?

To become a nurse, you can complete a 1-year certificate program, a 2-year associate program or a 4-year bachelor's program in nursing.

How much does a lawyer make in California?

Lawyer pay in California was $153,480. In general, the highest-paying region for RNs is along the west coast, while the highest-paying region for lawyers is more along with the east coast, especially in the Northeast.

What is the highest paid nurse?

What is the highest-paid nurse? Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists! Earning $181,040 annually, CRNAs earn significantly more than any other type of nurse or nursing specialty. This highly skilled profession involves preparing and administering anesthesia to patients in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other qualified healthcare professionals, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.

How much will the number of nurse practitioners grow in 2029?

Nurse Practitioner jobs (which include general) are expected to grow 45 percent through 2029, per the BLS. Add to that the option to work independently, and the outlook for this specialty is robust.

What is the best career path for a nurse midwife?

For RNs who love obstetrics, labor and delivery, and prenatal care, becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife is the perfect career path. CNMs mostly work in OB/GYN offices, clinics, or hospital settings, but many open their own practices depending on their state of practice.

How much does a nurse anesthetist make?

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists earn a mean average salary of $181,040 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, making it the top paying nursing specialty. CRNAs typically work 40 hours per week, making the hourly wage average out to approximately $80.75 per hour.

What is a psychiatric nurse practitioner?

For nurses with an interest in mental health, working as a psychiatric nurse practitioner will give you the opportunity to work with psychiatric medical physicians and counsel patients regarding mental health disorders. Psychiatric nurse practitioners also work with patients that suffer from a combination of mental health disorders and substance abuse issues.

Why are clinical nurses considered specialists?

Because Clinical Nurse Specialists can offer specialized care at a lower cost than a physician, more and more hospitals and institutions will be seeking to add these professionals to their teams.

How much does a clinical nurse specialist make?

According to Salary.com, the average salary for clinical nurse specialists in the United States is $106,028. Clinical nurse specialists typically work 40 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately $50.98.

Median Salary Comparisons

According to the BLS, medical doctors which include both medical doctors (MDs) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) earned an annual median salary of $208,000 per year in 2016. Lawyers, according to the BLS, had an annual median salary of $118,160 in 2016, a significant difference between them of $89,840.

Highs and Lows

When you look at the highest and lowest earners, though, different comparisons emerge. The lowest paid physicians typically practice family medicine and in 2015 they earned a median salary of $230,456, according to the Medical Group Management Association.

Prestige and Geography

The more prestigious a law firm is, the more they pay their lawyers. In 2016, New-York-City-based law firm Cravath, Swaine and Moore made headlines by raising its first-year lawyers' salaries by $20,000 to $180,000. That's comparable to, or more than what many family practice physicians and pediatricians earn in various parts of the U.S.

Bases and Bonuses

At the same time that Cravath, Swaine and Moore announced the new first-year salary, they announced salary bumps throughout the firm. An eight-year associate received a base salary of $315,000 plus a year-end bonus which is on a par with many physicians.

What is the median salary of a nurse practitioner?

Salary Range. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, The median pay for nurse practitioners for 2018 was $107,030 with salary ranges from $85,880 to $143,480. The BLS reports that in May 2018 the highest paying states for nurse practitioners were: California: $133,780. Alaska: $122,880.

How much will the need for nurse practitioners increase in 2026?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for nurse practitioners is expected to grow by 31% by 2026. This is much faster than the national average of other healthcare-related professions included Registered Nurses.

What is the job outlook for physician assistants?

Job Outlook. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for physician assistants is expected to grow by 37% by 2026. U.S. World News & Report 2019 ranked PAs as #1 in best health care jobs, #3 in 100 best jobs, and #3 in best STEM jobs.

How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner?

Nurse Practitioner (NP): Individuals with a BSN should expect to spend 2-3 years to obtain their advanced practice nursing degree through a combination of didactic classroom learning and practicum hours.

Why is the role of a physician assistant confusing?

The role of a Physician Assistant is confusing because the scope of practice is often similar to that of a general doctor but there are some key differences. The main one is that PAs are required by law to practice under the supervision of a licensed physician or surgeon.

What states have full practice authority?

Full practice states include Oregon, Maine, Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, and Iowa.

How many hours do you need to be a NP?

NP recertification is every two years and requires a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours in your certified specialty and continuing education hours. PA recertification is two parts. Every two years, 100 continuing education hours are required and every ten years a recertification exam must be passed.

Telehealth

Some nurse practitioners work in clinics, hospitals, schools, and other settings. Many others provide care virtually from home. Telehealth is a great option for nurse practitioners who want more flexibility and control over their schedule.

Blogging and healthcare writing

When it comes to freelance writing, you can look to nursing schools, healthcare associations, medical centers, caregiver groups, and medical centers as potential publishers. These are just some of the many organizations that publish digital and physical feature stories, news bulletins, blogs, and patient education pamphlets.

Health coach

Clients with chronic conditions and those who want to improve their overall health often recruit nurse practitioners as health coaches. Health coaches work for different healthcare facilities, but they can also be independent contractors.

First aid course instructor

The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association are just two organizations seeking healthcare professionals to teach first aid and CPR. Nurse practitioners should be fully qualified but check with the organizations to see if you need any other credentials or certifications to work with them.

Administer immunizations

Now that more people are aware of the need for flu shots and other immunizations, there are a wealth of opportunities to administer immunization doses at clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. These people assess the patient, review pertinent medical records and vital measurements, and administer the vaccines or medications.

Medical transcriptionist

Just about anyone who types quickly and accurately can review and transcribe dictated reports, but it takes particular expertise and training to transcribe for the medical field. People in this role need a solid understanding of medical terminology and healthcare protocols to take audio reports and accurately turn them into text.

Part-time in-home care jobs

As Baby Boomers age, the demand for in-home health care professionals continues to grow. Home health care NPs typically assess, diagnose, and treat chronically ill patients while maintaining close communication with caregivers. Leading Age and Visiting Nurse Association of America provides detailed information about money-making opportunities.

What is the career of a nurse lawyer?

Some go into academia, working at colleges and universities as professors. This career usually involves contributing to law journals and publishing research. Still other nurse lawyers might prefer to go into government, professional associations, or lobbying groups, focusing on medical regulations and policy.

What is a nurse attorney?

The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TANAA) defines nurse attorneys as professionals "licensed to practice both nursing and law.". Johnson & Johnson provides another definition: "A nurse attorney represents medical professionals in court, or works to change policies within the healthcare system.". Nurse attorneys take on the important role ...

How long does it take to become a nurse attorney?

Nurse attorneys need a juris doctor (JD) in law, which usually takes three years to earn. Registered nurses with an associate degree cannot enroll in JD programs; instead, they need to complete an RN-to-BSN or RN-to-MSN program first.

How do I become a nurse?

The nurse needs to first obtain a bachelor's degree, then take the LSAT (law school admission test), apply to law school, be admitted, successfully graduate, and then pass the bar exam to become licensed.

Can nurse attorneys be witnesses?

Patients or other entities sometimes serve healthcare professionals with malpractice suits, and nurse attorneys may attend these professionals in court. Additionally, nurse attorneys might use their knowledge and experience to serve as expert witnesses during trials.

Do I need a license to be a nurse attorney?

Nurse attorneys need both RN licensure and a law license to practice. They must take the NCLEX nursing exam and the LSAT law exam after completing their respective degrees to obtain these credentials. Requirements for licensure vary by state, as do licensure renewal requirements.

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Typical Pay

  • The average lawyer earned $130,880 as of May 2012, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By comparison, the average registered nurse earned $67,930. Lawyers made nearly twice as much as RNs. The average for lawyers providing basic legal services to criminal and civil clients was $137,180. The majority of RNs work in doctors' offices and hosp...
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Top-End Earnings

  • The top-end earning potential for lawyers shows an even greater earning discrepancy relative to nurses. Pay at the 90th percentile level was $187,199, as of May 2012. This means 10 percent of lawyers earned at or above this amount. By comparison, the top 10 percent of nurse earners made at or higher than $94,720. The differential of $92,479 reveals again that top-end pay is approxim…
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Geographic Variance

  • Pay varies across the country for both lawyers and nurses based on relative levels of supply and demand. In some states, the differential between lawyers and RNs is somewhat lower because of a higher supply of lawyers relative to demand and a lower supply of nurses. California has the highest concentration of nurses, but average pay was $94,120. Lawyer pay in California was $15…
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Background Requirements

  • One of the reasons that lawyers make significantly more than nurses is the more stringent educational requirements. To become a nurse, you can complete a 1-year certificate program, a 2-year associate program or a 4-year bachelor's program in nursing. You then have to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and get a state nursing certificate or license. A lawyer must earn a bachelor's d…
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