How the national numbers differ
1Nurse Practitioner has the edge on projected growth
Nurse Practitioner is at 41% projected growth, compared with 5.2% projected growth for Pharmacist.
Nurse Practitioner has the edge on annual openings
Nurse Practitioner is at 29,400 annual openings, compared with 12,500 annual openings for Pharmacist.
Pharmacist has the edge on median pay
Pharmacist is at $140,910, compared with $132,300 for Nurse Practitioner.
79/ 100Nurse Practitioner
vs
Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.
Detailed evidence
Nurse Practitioner vs Pharmacist
| Dimension | Nurse Practitioner | Pharmacist |
|---|
| Median pay (2025) | $132,300 | $140,910 |
|---|
| Pay percentile | 92.4 percentile | 94.1 percentile |
|---|
| Projected growth (2025–2035) | 41% | 5.2% |
|---|
| Annual openings (2025–2035) | 29,400 | 12,500 |
|---|
| 2025 employment | 336,300 | 325,200 |
|---|
| How you qualify | Registered-nurse licensure, at least a master's degree in the specialty role, national certification, and state APRN licensure are required. Check each program's prerequisites and clinical placements. | A Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree and state licensure are required. Check prerequisite coursework, the full program cost, and whether your intended role calls for residency training. |
| O*NET preparation group | Job Zone 5 | Job Zone 5 |
| Related work experience | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. |
| On-the-job training | BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training. | BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training. |
| Schedules | Office roles often follow business hours; hospital roles may include nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call work. | Most work full time. Pharmacies and hospitals may require nights, weekends, and holiday coverage. |
| Physical work | Patient care can involve standing, walking, and moving patients. Physical demands vary across specialties and settings. | Much of the work is done standing. Ask about workload, interruptions, and breaks in the setting you are considering. |
The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.
