2024 Nurse Practitioner Salary: Facts, Figures, Salaries by State

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who are extensively trained to offer primary and preventive care. They can diagnose and treat patients, as well as prescribe medication according to state guidelines and order diagnostic tests. There are approximately 266,300 nurse practitioners working today, and it’s the fastest-growing occupation in the United States. And a nurse practitioner salary is among the highest in all of nursing.

How much does a nurse practitioner make a year on average? What can you do to make more money as an NP? What does the job demand for NPs look like in the next decade? We’ll answer all your questions and then some.

What Is a Nurse Practitioner Salary on Average?

The average NP salary is $128,490 per year in the United States, or $61.78 per hour. Your education level, years in practice, the type of facility that employs you, your NP specialty type, and your geographic location can affect nurse practitioner pay rates.

Average Nurse Practitioner Salary by State

Learn how much you can make as an NP in different parts of the country. This list provides the average nurse practitioner salaries and hourly rates by state according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). If you’ve been considering a new job, click the links to see the latest nurse practitioner jobs in each state.

Best-Paying States for NPs 2024

Two main questions you’re likely to ask yourself are, “What is a nurse practitioner salary in the best-paying states?” and “Where can a NP earn the most money?” The fact is, the answers to those questions are subject to change from year to year, though you can more or less bet that the average annual salary for nurse practitioners will be in the six figures. According to the most recent data, these are the highest-paying locations for NPs:

• California
• Nevada
• Washington
• New Jersey
• Oregon

How Your Degree Can Affect Your Nurse Practitioner Salary

If you compare a nurse practitioner salary vs. registered nurse salary ($94,480), the difference is $34,010 per year on average. Why the bigger payout for NPs? The answer has to do with the amount of formal training and licensing involved between NP vs RN.

In general, it takes between two and four years to become an RN. But in order to become a nurse practitioner, you’re looking at around six years of education. Not only will you have to fulfill the requirements to become an RN, you’ll also need to complete an approved graduate program — either a master of science in nursing (MSN) or doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) — and pass a separate licensing exam. Check with your state board of nursing for specific requirements.

You can also specialize in different areas of nursing, including:

• Cardiac Care NP
• Family NP (FNP)
• Emergency NP
• Pediatric NP (PNP)
• Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP)
• Women’s Health NP (WHNP)

Nurse Practitioner Salaries: FAQ

Do different healthcare settings pay NPs different salaries?

Yes. In addition to your location, education, and experience, your NP pay rate can be affected by the type of workplace that hires you. For example, home health care services tend to pay nurse practitioners more money than physicians’ offices do. Here’s a look at the average annual salaries in facility settings:

• Offices of other health practitioners: $121,250
• Physicians’ offices: $122,780
• General medical and surgical hospitals: $135,610 per year
• Outpatient care centers: $139,860
• Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals: $141,260
• Home health care: $146,850

What is the job outlook for NPs?

Per the BLS, the employment of nurse practitioners is expected to grow by 45% over the next decade, which is as fast as the average for all other jobs. That’s an additional 29,200 jobs created every year for the next 10 years. This is to make up for retiring NPs and those who find a new career path. Plus, the aging population will boost the need for NPs.

What are some ways to increase my nurse practitioner salary?

• Negotiate all offers: Given the extreme demand for NPs, see if you can negotiate your base salary when you get a job offer. For leverage, do some research to learn what the NP pay rate is in your area.
• Change your schedule: Maybe the facility that employs you can offer shift differentials for evening, night, weekend, and holiday hours.
• Earn certifications: By pursuing certain certifications, you may be able to make the case for a higher salary. For instance, you might want to obtain an FNP-C or FNP-BC credential.
• Work per diem: If your schedule permits, picking up a handful of per diem shifts here and there can really add up.
• Explore new jobs: Job offers can introduce the possibility of negotiating your NP salary. Why not see what’s available?

Increase Your Nurse Practitioner Salary

Need some help exploring your career options? Take a look at the latest NP jobs to find one that fits your needs.