Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who are extensively trained to offer primary and preventive care. Here are a few facts about nurse practitioners:
- They can diagnose and treat patients, as well as prescribe medication according to state guidelines and order diagnostic tests.
- There are approximately 307,390 nurse practitioners working today.
- Nurse practitioner is the fastest-growing occupation in the United States.
- A nurse practitioner salary is among the highest in all of nursing.
So, 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?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the average NP salary is $132,000 per year in the United States, or $63.46 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. *Note: Due to BLS's concerns regarding Colorado's data quality, the pay shown for that state is from the previous BLS data update.
| State | Average Annual NP Salary | Average Hourly NP Salary | NP Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $109,650 | $52.72 | NP jobs in Alabama |
| Alaska | $142,340 | $68.43 | NP jobs in Alaska |
| Arizona | $132,920 | $63.90 | NP jobs in Arizona |
| Arkansas | $116,030 | $55.79 | NP jobs in Arkansas |
| California | $173,190 | $83.26 | NP jobs in California |
| Colorado | $121,990 | $58.65 | NP jobs in Colorado |
| Connecticut | $141,140 | $67.85 | NP jobs in Connecticut |
| Delaware | $130,190 | $62.59 | NP jobs in Delaware |
| Florida | $128,340 | $61.70 | NP jobs in Florida |
| Georgia | $125,490 | $60.33 | NP jobs in Georgia |
| Hawaii | $135,020 | $64.91 | NP jobs in Hawaii |
| Idaho | $131,380 | $63.16 | NP jobs in Idaho |
| Illinois | $128,880 | $61.96 | NP jobs in Illinois |
| Indiana | $126,620 | $60.83 | NP jobs in Indiana |
| Iowa | $133,020 | $63.95 | NP jobs in Iowa |
| Kansas | $127,900 | $61.49 | NP jobs in Kansas |
| Kentucky | $116,930 | $56.22 | NP jobs in Kentucky |
| Louisiana | $124,850 | $60.02 | NP jobs in Louisiana |
| Maine | $127,750 | $61.42 | NP jobs in Maine |
| Maryland | $127,100 | $61.11 | NP jobs in Maryland |
| Massachusetts | $145,140 | $69.78 | NP jobs in Massachusetts |
| Michigan | $127,200 | $61.15 | NP jobs in Michigan |
| Minnesota | $128,120 | $61.60 | NP jobs in Minnesota |
| Mississippi | $122,930 | $59.10 | NP jobs in Mississippi |
| Missouri | $124,600 | $59.90 | NP jobs in Missouri |
| Montana | $131,560 | $63.25 | NP jobs in Montana |
| Nebraska | $127,950 | $61.51 | NP jobs in Nebraska |
| Nevada | $148,670 | $71.48 | NP jobs in Nevada |
| New Hampshire | $133,660 | $64.26 | NP jobs in New Hampshire |
| New Jersey | $140,470 | $67.54 | NP jobs in New Jersey |
| New Mexico | $136,620 | $65.68 | NP jobs in New Mexico |
| New York | $148,410 | $71.35 | NP jobs in New York |
| North Carolina | $124,830 | $60.01 | NP jobs in North Carolina |
| North Dakota | $121,200 | $58.27 | NP jobs in North Dakota |
| Ohio | $121,250 | $58.29 | NP jobs in Ohio |
| Oklahoma | $127,120 | $61.12 | NP jobs in Oklahoma |
| Oregon | $148,030 | $71.17 | NP jobs in Oregon |
| Pennsylvania | $126,730 | $60.93 | NP jobs in Pennsylvania |
| Rhode Island | $139,600 | $67.11 | NP jobs in Rhode Island |
| South Carolina | $113,950 | $54.79 | NP jobs in South Carolina |
| South Dakota | $122,300 | $58.80 | NP jobs in South Dakota |
| Tennessee | $108,180 | $52.01 | NP jobs in Tennessee |
| Texas | $130,930 | $62.95 | NP jobs in Texas |
| Utah | $131,680 | $63.31 | NP jobs in Utah |
| Vermont | $130,580 | $62.78 | NP jobs in Vermont |
| Virginia | $122,180 | $58.74 | NP jobs in Virginia |
| Washington | $143,620 | $69.05 | NP jobs in Washington |
| West Virginia | $122,140 | $58.72 | NP jobs in West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | $130,490 | $62.74 | NP jobs in Wisconsin |
| Wyoming | $126,060 | $60.60 | NP jobs in Wyoming |
| Washington DC | $137,600 | $66.15 | NP jobs in Washington DC |
| Puerto Rico | n/a | n/a | NP jobs in Puerto Rico |
Best-Paying States for NPs 2025–2026
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
- New York
- Oregon
- Massachusetts
- Washington
How Your Degree Can Affect Your Nurse Practitioner Salary
If you compare a nurse practitioner salary vs. registered nurse salary ($98,430), the difference is $33,570 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 the following:
- 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 a range of NP workplace settings:
- Residential intellectual and developmental disability, mental health, and substance abuse facilities: $163,000
- Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals: $144,860
- Other ambulatory healthcare services: $144,240
- Specialty hospitals (except psychiatric and substance abuse): $142,270
- Outpatient care centers: $143,600
- General medical and surgical hospitals: $138,340
- Home health care: $130,410
What is the job outlook for NPs?
Per the BLS, the employment of nurse practitioners is expected to grow by 40% over the next decade, which is much faster than the the average for all other jobs. That's an additional 128,400 jobs created over 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. It also looks great on your nurse practitioner resume.
- 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.