FNP Salary Guide: How Much Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Make per State? 2025 US Estimates

If you are considering becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), you should first assess current earnings, both nationally and in the state or area where you will be working. We will help you with a complete guide to the Family Nurse Practitioner salary estimates across the US, depending on your current experience, work setting, and other relevant factors.

Family Nurse Practitioners are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who play a pivotal role in primary care, providing comprehensive healthcare services to patients of all ages. Among the many benefits of the FNP role, salary is among the most attractive.

Below, you will find the current FNP salary estimates, the earning potential for each state, and much more information that will help you guide your career in the best direction.

Key Takeaways for FNP Salary Estimates in 2025

• The average Family Nurse Practitioner salary in 2025 is $129,976 per year (about $62.49/hour), with the cost-of-living-adjusted average being $125,459^[1].
• Geography drives pay: Highest salaries by state include Washington ($144,945), DC ($144,616), New York ($140,010); lowest include Florida ($95,635), West Virginia ($99,075), Arkansas ($105,824)^[2].
• NPs working in urban areas, in general, earn around $6,000 more than in rural areas and around $2,500 more than in suburban areas^[1].
• Top nominal city salaries for FNPs include Nome, Alaska; Berkeley, California; and Berlin Corners, Vermont^[2]. However, cost-of-living adjustments bring high-earning metros back toward the national adjusted average.
• Experience strongly correlates with income: FNPs with over 16 years of experience earn, on average, $20,000 more annually than those with under five years. The median salary rises from $113,000 (entry-level) to $130,000 (most experienced)^[1].
• The top 10% of veteran FNPs earn up to $167,000^[1], underscoring the earning potential that comes with seniority and advanced practice autonomy.
• By work setting: Compensation is typically higher in hospitals and outpatient care centers than in physicians’ offices or community clinics^[1].
• FNPs represent 68.7% of the NP workforce^[3], so variability within FNP salaries can be larger than differences between NP specialties.
• FNP pay sits mid-pack among MSN-level NP specialties. However, it is slightly higher than the overall NP figure cited and offers substantial autonomy and advancement opportunities.

Average Family Nurse Practitioner Salary in 2025

In the nursing world, it’s no secret that FNPs are well-compensated for their advanced skills and responsibilities. According to the most recent data from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the average salary for Family Nurse Practitioners is $129,976 per year or $62.49 per hour. Based on the national cost-of-living index in the United States, the adjusted salary for FNPs is $125,459 per year.

Family Nurse Practitioner Salary in Comparison

From both the salary and scope-of-practice perspectives, becoming a Family Nursing Practitioner represents a decisive step up the career ladder for most professionals in the field.

We will analyze how the FNP salary compares to other nursing roles, as well as other NP specialties.

FNP Salary vs. Other Nursing Roles

Below, you can compare at a glance the salaries of other popular non-MSN nursing professions and the FNP salary:

When compared to other nursing professionals, Family Nurse Practitioners earn considerably more, mainly thanks to their advanced education and longer clinical experience. Data from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) indicates that NPs in general typically complete six or more years of undergraduate and graduate academic and clinical education, compared to the three-to-four-year requirement for learners to access jobs that require a BSN degree.

To consult a more comprehensive comparison of the wages of different occupations in the nursing field, read our nurse salary by state and specialty report.

Thus, if you are considering advancing your career to ensure maximum workplace independence and develop leadership skills, studying to become a Family Nurse Practitioner is highly recommended. Nightingale College offers the MSN FNP Program, a flexible, hybrid learning option that blends online instruction with in-person seminars and preceptorship classes across one of the numerous SOFE Areas, delivering high-quality, certified nursing education in the most accessible way possible. 

Advance your education and career – enroll in the MSN FNP Program today!

Overall, the FNP salary is slightly higher than the most recent BLS estimate for Nurse Practitioner salaries, with FNPs earning $766 more per year than NPs. Additionally, compared to other popular NP specialties, Family Nurse Practitioners earn higher wages, both overall and by location.

FNP Salary vs. NP and APRN Careers

Below, you can see how the Family Nurse Practitioner salary stacks up against other nursing roles and NP specialties, according to the most recent data from the AANP, as well as the education required for each:

 

Among the most popular specialties for MSN-level nurses, FNPs rank somewhere in the middle in earnings. It is worth noting that, beyond salary benefits, Family Nurse Practitioners also have, on average, a better job outlook, more workplace autonomy, and advancement opportunities, particularly toward leadership and management positions.

To consult a comprehensive comparison of wages for MSN-level nurses in the US, read our dedicated MSN salary guide. You can also find out more about Certified Nurse-Midwife salaries, Psychiatric Mental Health NP salaries, or Nurse Educator salaries.

Family Nurse Practitioner Salary by Experience Level

Given that Family Nurse Practitioners make up the largest percentage of the NP workforce (68.7%, according to the AANP), the variation in earnings can be higher within the FNP pool rather than between FNPs and other specialties or nursing roles.

Here is the variation in income, based on percentiles for Family Nurse Practitioners:

If entry-level or newly certified Family Nurse Practitioners can expect to earn only slightly above the pay grade of a Registered Nurse (despite the comparatively higher level of certification and more time spent in school), the FNP role allows for quickly increasing your earning potential by accumulating experience in the field and possibly changing scopes of practice or work settings.

Family Nurse Practitioner Salary by Work Setting

The compensation for Family Nurse Practitioners tends to run higher in hospitals and outpatient care centers than in physicians’ offices or community clinics. These environments typically support broader scope, higher patient throughput, and more opportunities for differentials or premium pay.

Physicians’ offices and community clinics typically pay less on base, but may balance that with predictable schedules and mission-driven work. 

Regardless of the work setting, the total income usually outpaces base pay. Current figures show a mean base of $122,587 for FNPs versus a mean total revenue of $129,765, equivalent to a $7,178 lift driven by bonuses, productivity pay, overtime, and other add-ons.

Family Nurse Practitioner Salary by State

The salaries of Family Nurse Practitioners vary widely based on the area in which you will be practicing. Below, you can consult a list of the states with the highest and lowest FNP salary estimates, as well as a table with wage estimates for each state.

States with the Highest FNP Salary

According to ZipRecruiter, the three states with the highest Family Nurse Practitioner Salary Estimates are Washington ($144,945), the District of Columbia ($144,616), and New York ($140,010). Here is a complete list of the top 10 US states with the highest earning potential for FNPs:

• Washington – $144,945
• District of Columbia (DC) – $144,616
• New York – $140,010
• Massachusetts – $139,765
• Alaska – $137,823
• Vermont – $136,070
• North Dakota – $135,409
• Oregon – $135,307
• Colorado – $134,569
• Hawaii – $132,961

States with the Lowest FNP Salary

According to ZipRecruiter, the states with the lowest Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) salary estimates are Florida ($95,635), West Virginia ($99,075), and Arkansas ($105,824). Although these states report lower average annual salaries for FNPs, it’s important to note that the cost of living in these regions is generally lower, meaning practitioners may still enjoy a comfortable standard of living.

Here’s a complete list of the 10 U.S. states with the lowest Family Nurse Practitioner salaries:

1. Florida – $95,635
2. West Virginia – $99,075
3. Arkansas – $105,824
4. Georgia – $108,060
5. Louisiana – $109,435
6. Kentucky – $111,150
7. Michigan – $111,543
8. Kansas – $114,135
9. Alabama – $115,996
10. Tennessee – $116,153

While salaries in these states are lower than national averages, FNPs practicing in these regions may find their income stretches further due to affordable housing, lower taxes, and lower overall expenses. Additionally, many of these states offer loan-forgiveness programs or incentives to attract nurse practitioners to underserved or rural areas, thereby significantly improving total compensation. 

FNP Salary by State & Territory

Below, you can find a complete list of Family Nurse Practitioner salary estimates, along with the wage values adjusted to the cost-of-living index:

All values presented have been sourced from the updated wage estimates published by ZipRecruiter. The quality-of-life index values were provided by World Population Review.

Family Nurse Practitioner Salary by City

The earning potential of Family Nurse Practitioners is also polarized based on the area in which you will practice, with large urban or metropolitan areas showcasing more competitive salaries (and more extra-salary benefits) than rural regions. However, some places with a comparatively higher cost of living can offer a higher net earning potential for FNPs to offset other expenses. 

Below, you can consult the 10 highest-paying cities in the US for FNPs, along with the salary adjusted to the cost-of-living index in the respective regions:

Although California did not make the top 10 list of states with the highest Family Nurse Practitioner salary estimates, key metropolitan areas in the state have higher earning potential than those in high-ranking states. 

However, when the cost of living is taken into account, all high-ranking metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas fall within the national adjusted Family Nurse Practitioner salary.

In general, Nurse Practitioners earn over $6,000 more in urban areas ($134,786) than in rural areas ($128,593), and over $2,500 more than in suburban areas ($132,192). There are also considerable differences in earnings based on regions, with the Midwest showcasing the lowest earning potential and the West of the country having the highest salaries, according to the AANP:

How to Increase Your Salary as an FNP

Although you cannot have an impact on the national averages directly, you can make the right choices and land on a better point on the pay curve. The role of a Family Nurse Practitioner enables you to actively advance your career and increase your pay grade. Here are the main practical levers to reliably move compensation upward as an FNP:

• Choose higher-paying settings –  Across the US, NPs employed by hospitals and outpatient care centers tend to earn more than those in physicians’ offices or community clinics.
• Leverage geography – Pair your state/city research with practice-authority rules: full practice authority states allow NPs to evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, and manage treatment independently, expanding role scope, productivity, and negotiating power. If relocation is feasible, target full-practice states.
• Build experience and specialty depth – Experience bands correlate strongly with higher pay in compensation surveys. Moving from entry level to 6–15 years of practice typically yields a notable bump, with another step-up at 16+ years.
• Negotiate the structure, not just the base salary – Total income for FNPs often includes productivity pay, bonuses, and overtime, which can increase your overall earnings well beyond base pay. For instance, the mean base FNP salary is around $122,587, but the total income is $129,765 — over $7,000 more — solely due to extra pay over the base. Ask about RVU thresholds, quality incentives, weekend/holiday differentials, and call pay when evaluating offers.
• Optimize credentials used in practice – Ensure your FNP certification is fully leveraged and add role-relevant trainings, such as suturing, joint injections, and women’s health procedures. Employers in higher-acuity or procedure-heavy environments often pay premiums relative to pure primary care.
• Stack repayment or loan forgiveness programs on top of salary – In nursing shortage areas, relief schemes like HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment can pay up to 85% of qualifying nursing educational debt, which can be a powerful boost to total compensation.
• Track role progression – Becoming an FNP opens new avenues for leadership and administrative roles, such as lead NP, clinical manager, or service-line coordinator, which often include administrative stipends or salary bands above those of staff roles. Pair this with measurable outcomes when you negotiate.

The bottom line is that choosing the right setting, scope of practice, and salary structure can yield the most significant gains in earnings. If you can pair a higher-paying work setting with broader practice authority and a good compensation plan, your total annual income as an FNP will come to reflect it. Do not forget that net total earnings do not equal purchasing power — you should pay attention to the cost of living in the region in which you practice and consult adjusted salaries where possible.

However, one thing remains clear. Becoming an FNP will definitely be an upgrade to your career and salary. If you want to study to become a Family Nurse Practitioner without sacrificing your current career outlook, responsibilities (both professional and personal), and spare time, consider enrolling in Nightingale College’s MSN FNP Program — a hybrid learning option that seamlessly integrates online instruction with in-person seminars and preceptorship experiences (in one of our SOFE Areas) to deliver top-quality, certified nursing education in the most accessible way possible.

Because we understand the importance of Family Nurse Practitioners in responding to growing healthcare demands, shortages, and patient outcomes, Nightingale College also ensures that aspiring FNPs can access financial aid through scholarships, such as the FNP Scholarship Fund awarded by the Nightingale Foundation. 

Learn more about the MSN FNP Program at Nightingale College and enroll today!

Family Nurse Practitioner Salary FAQs

What Is the Salary of an FNP in the US?

According to data from the AANP, the average Family Nurse Practitioner salary is $129,976 per year or $62.49 per hour. However, the wages of FNPs can vary considerably based on level of experience, with the top 10% of FNPs earning up to $167,000 per year. State, region, area, and work setting also impact your earning potential as an FNP.

Where Do FNPs Make the Most Money?

The US states with the highest salaries for FNPs are Washington ($144,945), DC ($144,616), and New York ($140,010). On a regional basis, FNPs earn the highest salaries in the West and the Northeast. Usually, professionals working in urban areas earn marginally higher wages than those in suburban areas, and much higher than in rural areas. The city with the highest reported FNP salary is Nome, Alaska ($158,753), followed by Berkley, California ($156,698), and Berlin Corners, Vermont ($156,413). However, many high-earning states also have a higher cost of living, and adjusted salaries reflect this.

Finally, when considering work settings, compensation typically runs higher in hospitals and outpatient care centers than in physician offices or community clinics.

Is an FNP Better-Off than an NP from a Salary Perspective?

When comparing the earning potential of Family Nurse Practitioners with that of the broader nursing pool of Nurse Practitioners, the average FNP salary is higher by $1,486. However, it is worth noting that Family Nurse Practitioners make up the largest share of the NP workforce (68.7%), and their earning potential reflects this. Particularly, the salary of FNPs is much closer to that of NPs in general than that of other APRNs or NP specialties.

How Can an FNP Make the Most Money?

The key ways for an FNP to increase their salary are to pick the right working environment, target full-practice states or employers, negotiate total compensation (as opposed to only the base salary), leverage loan repayment or forgiveness schemes, accrue experience and document their impact in various clinical settings, and balance projected net earnings with the cost of living when choosing a place to practice.

Reference List

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2025, February). Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care: Infographic. AANP. https://storage.aanp.org/www/documents/NP_Infographic_111122.pdf 
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2024). National Nurse Practitioner Compensation Report 2024. AANP Research Department. https://storage.aanp.org/www/documents/no-index/research/1.Comp.NP-Report24.pdf 
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. (2024, September). Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners: Occupational Outlook Handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm 
• ZipRecruiter. (2025). Average Family Nurse Practitioner Salary by State (2025 Estimates). https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/What-Is-the-Average-Family-Nurse-Practitioner-Salary-by-State 
• ZipRecruiter. (2025, October). Family Nurse Practitioner Salary: United States. https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Family-Nurse-Practitioner-Salary 
• World Population Review. (2025). Cost of Living Index by State 2025. https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/cost-of-living-index-by-state