Specialist nurses vs Nurse practitioners: Salary Compared
A Nurse practitioners earns more — a median £46,069 vs £45,140 for a Specialist nurses. That is £929 more per year (2%). Real ONS ASHE figures, April 2025.
Quick answer
In the UK, a Nurse practitioners is paid more than a Specialist nurses: median gross pay of £46,069 versus £45,140 — a £929 (2%) gap. Source: ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3.
Pay compared, side by side
Gross annual pay for full-time UK employees, ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3.
| Measure | Specialist nurses | Nurse practitioners |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | £31,764 | £29,479 |
| 25th percentile | £39,340 | £38,107 |
| Median | £45,140 | £46,069 |
| 75th percentile | £52,644 | £53,210 |
| 90th percentile | — | — |
SOC 2020 codes: Specialist nurses = 2233; Nurse practitioners = 2234.
Regional pay gap
The pay gap is widest in East Midlands, where a Nurse practitioners earns a median £51,098 versus £41,152 for a Specialist nurses — a £9,946 difference. Regional medians are published by ONS where the sample is large enough.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a Specialist nurses or a Nurse practitioners earn more in the UK?
- A Nurse practitioners earns more. The median UK gross annual pay is £46,069 for a Nurse practitioners versus £45,140 for a Specialist nurses — a difference of £929 (2% more). Source: ONS ASHE, April 2025.
- What is the typical salary range for a Specialist nurses?
- Most Specialist nurses earn between £39,340–£52,644 (25th–75th percentile), with a median of £45,140. Top earners (90th percentile) reach higher.
- What is the typical salary range for a Nurse practitioners?
- Most Nurse practitioners earn between £38,107–£53,210 (25th–75th percentile), with a median of £46,069. Top earners (90th percentile) reach higher.
- Where do these pay figures come from?
- From the Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3) — gross annual pay for full-time employees by 4-digit SOC 2020 occupation, published under the Open Government Licence. These are medians, not guarantees: individual pay varies by employer, region and experience.
Related comparisons
Data: Office for National Statistics — Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3. Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures are medians for full-time employees and do not guarantee individual pay. A Gera Systems product.