Nurse practitioner salary in the US. Advanced practice nurses such as nurse practitioners get some of the highest incomes in the nursing industry. The terms ARNP (advanced registered nurse practitioner) and APRN are sometimes used to refer to nurse practitioners (advanced practice registered nurse).
In full-practice states, nurse practitioners can start their own independent practices and work side by side with doctors. Others collaborate with doctors in clinics and hospitals where they independently diagnose and treat patients. Nurse practitioners typically make a basic income of $122,360, or $90.90.
A nurse practitioner’s annual salary in the USA typically ranges between $100,000 and $120,000 [1]. This salary depends on the nurse practitioner’s experience, skills, location, and other factors. In reality, nurse practitioners are among the nurses with the highest salaries. In addition, the salary of a nurse practitioner is anticipated to increase in 2023 due to the strong demand and lack of qualified candidates. Understanding the pay scale in their area is essential for working nurses and NP candidates.
Average starting salary of a nurse practitioner | $ 118,040 annually [2] |
Median annual NP salary | $ 120,680 annually [2] |
Average NP salary with Master of Science in Nursing | $111,260 annually [3] |
Average NP salary with Doctor of Nursing Practice | $120,660 annually [3] |
NP salary growth projection | *Average annual incomes increasing almost 35% [4] |
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Nurse Practitioner job
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with training in a variety of healthcare services, such as the diagnosis and treatment of medical illnesses, the prescription of medications, and the management of chronic conditions, are known as nurse practitioners (NPs). NPs can pursue specializations in fields including primary care, acute care, or gerontology and work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
A nurse practitioner who has obtained advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) certification can pursue specialization in a number of fields, including pediatrics, acute care pediatrics, and family nurse practitioners.
The median NP salary in the US
The average NP salary in the United States is $107,480 annually, or $51.68 per hour, $2,067 per week, and $8,957 per month. It should be noted that these values are a reflection of the extensive education and training that NPs have, making them some of the highest-paid nurses in the nation.
We contrast the average US employee wage (across all industries) and the US nurse practitioner income in the following table:
Hourly Salary | Weekly Salary | Monthly Salary | Annual Salary | |
Avg. Salary of NP in the US | $51.68 | $2,067 | $8,957 | $107,480 |
Avg. Salary in the US (taking all professions) |
$24.34 | $973 | $4,218 | $50,620 |
Nurse Practitioners’ salary by state
The location of the nurse practitioner also significantly affects pay. The average wage for NPs in the Western US is $127,120, followed by that of NPs in the Northeast at $114,560, and that of NPs in the South and Midwest at about $108,370 [4].
At the state level, compensation differs as well. Two of the top-paying states are in the West and three are in the Northeast, following regional norms.
State | Median Salary | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
Alabama | $99,750 | $128,460 | $76,290 |
Alaska | $123,140 | $164,840 | $48,670 |
Arizona | $121,070 | $162,820 | $95,850 |
Arkansas | $99,910 | $130,770 | $77,770 |
California | $149,910 | N/A | $103,910 |
Colorado | $102,370 | $131,970 | $78,230 |
Connecticut | $125,360 | $163,710 | $79,470 |
Delaware | $121,470 | $152,130 | $90,280 |
District of Columbia | $121,470 | $164,900 | $96,420 |
Florida | $101,110 | $130,630 | $61,990 |
Georgia | $101,690 | $141,880 | $77,660 |
Hawaii | $131,000 | $167,750 | $80,130 |
Idaho | $102,060 | $152,710 | $47,490 |
Illinois | $122,960 | $141,200 | $97,950 |
Indiana | $104,020 | $131,000 | $96,040 |
Iowa | $121,470 | $163,080 | $94,590 |
Kansas | $100,590 | $128,550 | $78,480 |
Kentucky | $100,260 | $130,630 | $78,380 |
Louisiana | $103,610 | $152,960 | $77,940 |
Maine | $119,550 | $135,150 | $96,040 |
Maryland | $104,550 | $141,140 | $95,710 |
Massachusetts | $128,160 | $167,980 | $98,860 |
Michigan | $102,060 | $130,630 | $94,430 |
Minnesota | $127,690 | $163,360 | $92,710 |
Mississippi | $101,840 | $154,130 | $77,940 |
Missouri | $101,180 | $129,510 | $61,820 |
Montana | $122,100 | $130,630 | $96,040 |
Nebraska | $103,340 | $133,840 | $93,020 |
Nevada | $127,620 | $164,070 | $95,530 |
New Hampshire | $121,070 | $153,070 | $96,040 |
New Jersey | $129,240 | $163,420 | $100,660 |
New Mexico | $121,070 | $159,790 | $78,660 |
New York | $128,220 | $167,750 | $96,420 |
North Carolina | $102,370 | $133,790 | $95,460 |
North Dakota | $103,550 | $129,970 | $95,970 |
Ohio | $103,310 | $135,180 | $95,280 |
Oklahoma | $109,660 | $152,130 | $80,280 |
Oregon | $127,690 | $165,520 | $96,040 |
Pennsylvania | $106,700 | $165,900 | $84,940 |
Rhode Island | $125,540 | $167,750 | $96,550 |
South Carolina | $100,020 | $130,200 | $76,490 |
South Dakota | $102,060 | $129,270 | $80,650 |
Tennessee | $99,630 | $129,510 | $48,060 |
Texas | $121,010 | $154,080 | $81,160 |
Utah | $105,220 | $163,350 | $60,280 |
Vermont | $101,790 | $152,920 | $78,690 |
Virginia | $102,860 | $152,130 | $78,660 |
Washington | $128,980 | $164,900 | $98,500 |
West Virginia | $100,020 | $129,480 | $77,720 |
Wisconsin | $121,310 | $131,100 | $97,090 |
Wyoming | $102,370 | $148,870 | $93,720 |
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2021 median salary
States with the highest salaries for nurse practitioners
California has the highest average yearly salary for nurse practitioners at $151,830. The average hourly wage is at $72.99. About 17,400 NPs are employed by the state. The top 5 states that pay the most money to NPs are as follows:
STATE | AVERAGE ANNUAL NP SALARY |
California | $151,830 |
New Jersey | $137,010 |
New York | $133,940 |
Washington | $130,840 |
Massachusetts | $129,540 |
States with the lowest pay for nurse practitioners
The state with the lowest average yearly compensation for nurse practitioners in the USA is Tennessee. In Tennessee, an NP makes an average salary of $95,120 per year. The average hourly wage is currently $45.73. About 11,360 NPs are employed by the state.
The following states have the lowest NP salaries:
STATE | AVERAGE ANNUAL NP SALARY |
Tennessee | $102,410 |
Alabama | $137,010 |
South Carolina | $102,850 |
Missouri | $103,490 |
West Virginia | $104,750 |
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Looking at the tables above, it may be tempting to choose to relocate to the state with the greatest NP salary, but bear in mind that when thinking about moving to another place as a travel nurse, one should take the cost of living into account. Higher cost of living in some places might have an impact on overall income.
For instance, the cost of living in California would be higher than in Alabama. This may explain some of the wage differences, but it is important to remember that there are still ways to increase your income by working in different places.
Highest-paying cities for Nurse Practitioners
Prospective NPs should also take into account how salaries range between various metropolitan locations. Some of the highest NP wages are found in Northern California’s major cities, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area. Additionally, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are many options for NPs to find employment in some urban regions.
The most lucrative cities for nurse practitioners are:
HIGHEST-PAYING CITIES | AVERAGE SALARY |
San Jose — Sunnyvale — Santa Clara, CA | $197,870 |
Napa, CA | $184,700 |
Vallejo — Fairfield, CA | $180,380 |
San Francisco — Oakland — Hayward, CA | $177,160 |
Yuba City, CA | $159,260 |
Nurse Practitioner salaries by specialization
The pay of a nurse practitioner may also vary according to their certification area. The highest typical salary for NPs are in the field of psychiatry, which pays about $40,000 more annually than pediatric nursing practice. NP Salaries by specialism are listed below in decreasing order of annual base salary:
NP SPECIALIZATION | ANNUAL BASE SALARY |
Psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner | $131,500 |
Primary care nurse practitioner | $115,000 |
Urgent care nurse practitioner | $120,000 |
Oncology/hematology nurse practitioner | $120,000 |
Geriatric nurse practitioner | $118,000 |
Internal medicine nurse practitioner | $120,000 |
Cardiovascular nurse practitioner | $120,000 |
Pediatrics nurse practitioner | $110,000 |
Family nurse practitioner | $110,000 |
Women’s health nurse practitioner | $105,000 |
Do keep in mind that the AANP Compensation Surveys are the basis for these NP wages. Therefore, based on your experience, education, location, and other criteria, your compensation may vary within your speciality.
Highest paying industries for Nurse Practitioners
The NP’s pay is based on the sector of the economy they work in. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are essential in a wide range of businesses as healthcare needs change, not just in hospitals but also in an increasing number of community and outpatient care settings. By acting as a liaison between medical professionals and nursing personnel and by working autonomously, NPs are playing a critical role.
NP job seekers may wish to think about investigating the following fields to make top dollar:
INDUSTRY/WORKPLACE | AVERAGE SALARY |
Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services | $148,980 |
Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations | $133,800 |
Home Health Care Services | $133,170 |
Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals | $131,830 |
Outpatient Care Centers | $129,190 |
Evaluating the pay of nurse practitioners
NPs make much more money than clinical nurse specialists and registered nurses (RNs), with a mean annual income of $118,040. (CNSs). Salary comparisons for RNs, CNSs, APRNs, nurse administrators, anesthetists, and midwives are included in the graph below.
CAREER | MEDIAN ANNUAL SALARY |
Nurse Practitioners | $120,680 |
Registered Nurses | $77,600 |
Nurse Midwives | $112,830 |
Physician Assistants | $121,530 |
Nurse Anesthetists | $195,610 |
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How to get more money as an NP
NPs can anticipate a typical income range of $79,470 for the lowest 10% and up to $163,350 for the best 10%, according to BLS statistics. However, there are several variables that affect NP compensation levels within this range, including certifications, school level, years of experience or experience type, and practice setting. Key strategies for NPs to increase their pay include:
1. Obtain more education or certifications
The minimal prerequisite for becoming an NP is an MSN degree, however many NPs prefer to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree instead. Additionally, state licensing bodies mandate that NPs acquire
2. Write medical content
NPs with writing skills might use their medical expertise to write about medicine and get extra money. Writing research papers, news pieces on medicine, webpage copy for the healthcare industry, journal abstracts, and other types of writing fall under this category.
3. Look into administrative positions
In hospitals, healthcare facilities, and physician group practices, nurse administrators often hold leadership and managerial positions and make an average annual salary of $119,840. They frequently apply for accreditation as nurse executives while pursuing dual degrees in MSN/MBA or MSN/Master of Health Administration.
4. Change to a profitable specialization
Family nurse practice, pediatrics, primary care, and obstetrics/gynecology are among the most popular specialities for NPs, but they aren’t usually the highest-paying ones. When selecting a speciality, NPs may take into account fields including psychiatry, urgent care, acute care, and adult medicine to optimize revenue.
FAQS on Nurse practitioner salary in the US
What is a nurse practitioner salary USA?
The average nurse practitioner salary is $123,780 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2021
How long is nurse practitioner school in USA?
It can take anywhere from 18 months to four years to complete depending on prior experience and credentials. Ultimately, whether you decide to enter an MSN or DNP program will depend on your own professional goals and life circumstances. Either degree, though, qualifies you to become a nurse practitioner.
What is nurse practitioner is called in USA?
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a nurse with a graduate degree in advanced practice nursing. This type of provider may also be referred to as an ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner) or APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse).
Are nurse practitioners in demand in the US?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for nurse practitioners is more than 44% higher than all of the remaining occupations in the United States.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that nurses and teachers are both professions that are commonly taken for granted in the United States, the data shows otherwise. Working as a nurse offers a lot of flexibility, stability, and earning opportunity.
More than clinical practitioners, technologists, and even administrators combined, nurses make up the majority of healthcare professionals in the nation. But even so, it’s insufficient. Through 2030, there will likely be an even greater shortage of nurses in the United States.
It’s a good time to be a nurse, but keep in mind that earnings might vary greatly based on the state in which you practice and the job you hold. The information reveals which states are most and least profitable for nurses to work in.
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