Nurse Practitioner Salaries in the U.S.: What Is the Average Income in Every State? [Updated 2024]
![Nurse Practitioner Salaries in the U.S.: What Is the Average Income in Every State? [Updated 2024]](/_resources/images/blog/nurse-practitioner-salaries-e1633359677670-vmedlarge.jpeg)
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice nurses who focus on managing people’s health conditions and preventing disease. They diagnose illnesses, treat conditions and serve as educators for the population.
Not only does their extensive training allow them to do it up to the highest standards, but also at significantly lower costs compared to physicians. Hence, NPs are increasingly becoming the go-to health care provider for more and more people, with over 1.06 billion visits to their offices every year. Moreover, research shows that turning to a Nurse Practitioner as a primary healthcare partner translates into fewer emergency room visits, shorter hospital stays, and lower medical costs.
Their essential role in healthcare and the immense responsibility lying on their shoulders makes Nurse Practitioners some of the highest-paid Registered Nurses. But is it worth it – from a financial standpoint – advancing your education, pursuing a BSN degree, and then an MSN to become a Nurse Practitioner? How much do NPs make in every state, and how promising is a career as a Nurse Practitioner?
Keep reading to find out.
Is There Demand for Nurse Practitioners?
The demand for Nurse Practitioners is growing exponentially especially as the baby boom population ages and the levels of required specialized care correspondingly increase. The high levels of retirement among nurses also lead to higher demand for specialists in this area.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of APRNs (Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives) will grow by 38% by 2032. Every year, there are about 29,200 openings for APRNs to supplement for the workers who transfer to different occupations, exit the workforce or retire.
The numbers don’t lie. With a stringent need for qualified Nurse Practitioners, the demand is on the rise. So if you’re considering becoming an NP, now’s the time to do it.
Nightingale College is ready to help you go after this goal. The first step towards getting your NP status is pursuing a BSN degree. If you already have an ADN diploma and are a working professional, the best course of action would be to enroll in our online RN-to-BSN program and get your BSN degree in as few as 12 months. This first step towards advancing your education will have a great impact on your professional future.
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Earn in 2024?
The very promising job prospects are by themselves a great reason to consider a career as a nurse practitioner. But excellent job security is only part of what this profession has to offer.
Generally, the more you advance your education, the higher your chances of securing a well-paying job. Therefore, being advanced practice nurses means NPs are compensated fairly well.
Subsequent to getting your BSN, you will most likely need to obtain your Master’s degree in order to become a Nurse Practitioner. An MSN usually takes around two years to complete. The extended time you spend studying is worth it in the long run, as the financial remuneration for this profession is significantly higher than other nurses’ salaries.
According to the latest data from the BLS, nurse practitioners’ mean annual salary is $128,490, or more than $34,000 more than what registered nurses make.
Read our nurse salary by state study to see how registered nurses compare to nurse practitioners compare in terms of remuneration.
An NPs salary depends on many factors, however: from years of experience to chosen specialization and place of employment, to the state in which they practice.
States with the Highest Nurse Practitioner Salaries
While nurse practitioners’ average salary is $128,490 , that value fluctuates depending on the state they are practicing in. California is the state with the highest average salaries for nurse practitioners, with an annual wage of $161,540 and an hourly wage of $77.66. Nevada is the second among top paying states with $148,670 per year on average, and Washington is a close third, with an average NP salary of $145,400 per year.
On the other side of the spectrum are Tennessee with an annual salary of $99,370, Alabama, where NPs earn on average $99,790, and Florida, where the median income is $101,060 – lower on the spectrum for NPs, but still a very respectable salary to draw.
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Earn in Every State?
If you are considering a career shift towards Nurse Practitioner and would like to know your earning potential based on where you live, we are here to help. Below you will find a list of all 50 states and how much you can expect to earn in each of them:
| State | Annual Nurse Practitioner Salary |
Hourly Nurse Practitioner Wage
|
| Alabama | $110,020 | $52.89 |
| Alaska | $126,170 | $60.66 |
| Arizona | $132,560 | $63.73 |
| Arkansas | $113,410 | $54.53 |
| California | $161,540 | $77.66 |
| Colorado | $121,990 | $58.65 |
| Connecticut | $136,980 | $65.86 |
| Delaware | $131,110 | $63.03 |
| District of Columbia | $134,850 | $64.83 |
| Florida | $119,710 | $57.55 |
| Georgia | $121,150 | $58.25 |
| Guam | $88,570 | $42.58 |
| Hawaii | $132,610 | $63.76 |
| Idaho | $124,550 | $59.88 |
| Illinois | $126,900 | $61.01 |
| Indiana | $123,320 | $59.29 |
| Iowa | $130,820 | $62.89 |
| Kansas | $119,270 | $57.34 |
| Kentucky | $110,370 | $53.06 |
| Louisiana | $118,670 | $57.06 |
| Maine | $122,940 | $59.11 |
| Maryland | $127,990 | $61.54 |
| Massachusetts | $144,010 | $69.24 |
| Michigan | $120,680 | $58.02 |
| Minnesota | $135,010 | $64.91 |
| Mississippi | $117,490 | $56.49 |
| Missouri | $116,680 | $56.10 |
| Montana | $124,640 | $59.92 |
| Nebraska | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Nevada | $148,670 | $71.48 |
| New Hampshire | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| New Jersey | $145,030 | $69.73 |
| New Mexico | $136,770 | $65.76 |
| New York | $142,830 | $68.67 |
| North Carolina | $121,590 | $58.46 |
| North Dakota | $127,760 | $61.42 |
| Ohio | $122,870 | $59.07 |
| Oklahoma | $124,330 | $59.77 |
| Oregon | $144,950 | $69.69 |
| Pennsylvania | $127,450 | $61.27 |
| Rhode Island | $133,460 | $64.16 |
| South Carolina | $116,940 | $56.22 |
| South Dakota | $120,980 | $58.17 |
| Tennessee | $103,720 | $49.86 |
| Texas | $130,010 | $62.51 |
| Utah | $127,820 | $61.45 |
| Vermont | $126,100 | $60.62 |
| Virginia | $120,870 | $58.11 |
| Washington | $145,400 | $69.90 |
| West Virginia | $113,450 | $54.54 |
| Wisconsin | $128,330 | $61.70 |
| Wyoming | $123,560 | $59.40 |
The salaries of certified nurse practitioners differ from those of other MSN-level nursing staff. You can read our dedicated presentations to assess the remuneration for other such roles:
Where Do Nurse Practitioners Work & How Does That Impact Their Salary?
Their extensive training allows NPs to give primary, acute, and specialty care to diverse populations, based on their specialization. Generally, Nurse Practitioners can find employment in a variety of settings from hospitals to universities. Nonetheless, according to the BLS, the industries with the highest levels of employment for NPs are:
- Physician’s offices. With over 137,030 employed nurse practitioners, physicians’ offices are the most popular place for NPs to find work. Here, they earn on average $122,780 yearly.
- General medical and surgical hospitals are responsible for the employment of around 61,740 NPs. The median salary of nurse practitioners working in hospitals is $135,610.
- Outpatient care centers employ 25,440 NPs who earn around $139,860.
- Offices of Other Health Practitioners. 11,400 Nurse Practitioners work in these settings and earn a median salary of $121,250.
- Home Health Care Services. Another 7,410 NPs work in home health care, earning $146,850 per year, on average.
A Nurse Practitioner’s duties range from examining medical histories and performing evaluations to actually ordering and performing different medical tests such as X-rays or lab work. They are also allowed to prescribe medication all over the United States and they hold the right to administer certain controlled medications in most states.
Nurse Practitioners can also choose a specialization and depending on their choice, the wages they earn will also vary. Some of the most popular areas of certification include:
- General Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
According to a survey conducted by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the most sought-after specialization for Nurse Practitioners was Family NP, with an interest rate of over 65%. Adult NP was the second most desired certification, with a 12.6 interest rate, followed by Adult-Gerontology – 7.8% and Pediatrics, with almost 4%.
Findings from the same survey showed that Nurse Practitioners who specialize in Business Support Services earn the highest median base salary – $180,570 and an hourly wage of $86.81.
What Does Getting Your MSN Mean for Your Earning Potential?
The great demand for nurses makes this field very competitive in terms of remuneration. Granted, the more you advance your education, the higher your salary. So, getting your Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN) is a great investment in your professional future and earning potential, as MSN-prepared nurses, like Nurse Practitioners, earn more than their BSN-trained counterparts. They also have access to more job opportunities, more flexible schedules, less stressful career options and a higher chance of securing management, research, or leadership positions.
Curious about the impact an MSN Degree can have on your career? Find out more about how getting your MSN can propel your career – and income – forward.
How Does the Nurse Practitioners’ Salary Compare to Others?
Being an advanced practice role, NPs generally earn very competitive salaries, with a median of $114,510. But how exactly does it measure up compared to similar positions? Here’s a quick rundown of how much other nurses earn to help you put things into perspective.
Registered Nurses – $94,480 per year
Nurse Anesthetists – $214,200 per year
Nurse Midwives – $131,570 per year
Nurse Educator – $86,530 per year
Can Nurse Practitioners Increase Their Salaries Even Further?
While a Master’s Degree is the minimum requirement for practicing as an NP, it doesn’t mean you have to stop there. If you want to increase your income, you can get certified in one of the more highly compensated areas, such as psychiatry. Pursuing additional certifications can definitely lead to an income boost.
As an NP you will likely have to complete continuing education courses every few years to ensure you stay at the top of your field. By fulfilling these continuous education courses you make sure you’re up to date with the latest practices and your level of expertise is always up to the highest standards of the healthcare industry. And that, consequently, increases your professional value and can lead to better income prospects.
Another sure way is to advance your education even further by getting a DNP, a Doctoral degree in Nursing Practice. The more advanced your education, the more desirable you are in the field.
Why Become a Nurse Practitioner?
The benefits of becoming a Nurse Practitioner are manifold and go far beyond the profession’s financial rewards. It’s a career track that allows for a great level of independence, as in many states NPs have a rather progressive scope of practice and don’t require a doctor’s supervision. It’s also a particularly meaningful nursing experience as NP care is directly linked to fewer emergency room visits, shorter hospital stays, and lower medical costs.
Pursuing a Nurse Practitioner career track is definitely fulfilling and rewarding – financially, personally, and professionally. Does this sound like the right career track for you?
The academic programs at Nightingale College include three options for aspiring learners who wish to advance to the position of a nurse practitioner:
- The MSN Ed Program is recommended to those who wish to become Nurse Educators and work in academic or instructional settings
- The MSN FNP Program is designed to prepare you to become a Family Nurse Practitioner and support the health and wellness of families and communities
- The MSN PMHNP Program is for learners that want to occupy roles in psychiatric and mental health units as Nursing Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners.