Nurse Practitioner Salary in 2026
Nurse practitioners diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and manage patient care independently or collaboratively. They serve as primary and specialty care providers.
Median Salary
$132,300
$11,025/mo
Entry Level
$99,800
starting pay
Senior Level
$156,200
experienced
Job Growth
+40%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Nurse Practitioners (SOC 29-1171) at a national median of $132,300 per year (mean $137,300), or $63.61 per hour, with 323,040 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Nurse Practitioner Overview
Nurse practitioners diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and manage patient care independently or collaboratively. They serve as primary and specialty care providers.
Education
Master's Degree (MSN)
Experience
3-5 years
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
323K
5-Year Growth
+19%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$63.61/hr
Monthly Pay
$11,025
Nurse Practitioner Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Nurse Practitioner salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Nurse Practitioner Salary
$137,000
$11,417/month · $5,269/biweekly · $65.87/hr
Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Nurse Practitioner field.
Entry-level Nurse Practitioners earn around $99,800, while the top 10% earn $167,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Nurse Practitioners
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $156,000 | +$23,700 |
| New York | $152,000 | +$19,700 |
| Massachusetts | $148,000 | +$15,700 |
| Texas | $130,000 | $-2,300 |
| Florida | $130,000 | $-2,300 |
Top Paying Cities for Nurse Practitioners
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New YorkBLS metro | $163,340 | +$31,040 |
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $161,470 | +$29,170 |
| BostonBLS metro | $147,480 | +$15,180 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $134,560 | +$2,260 |
| ChicagoBLS metro | $131,740 | $-560 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Nurse Practitioners in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Nurse Practitioner Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Nurse Practitioner from entry level to expert.
$99,800
0-2 years
$128,000
3-7 years
$156,200
8-14 years
$177,800
15+ years
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Nurse Practitioner Salary FAQ
How much does a Nurse Practitioner make in 2026?
The median salary for a Nurse Practitioner in the United States is $132,300 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Nurse Practitioners (SOC 29-1171); the mean is $137,300. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $99,800, senior professionals around $156,200, and top earners at $177,800 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Nurse Practitioner?
A Nurse Practitioner typically requires a Master's Degree (MSN) with 3-5 years of experience. Key skills include Diagnosis, Prescribing, Patient Assessment. Relevant certifications such as AANP Certification or ANCC Certification can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Nurse Practitioners?
The job market for Nurse Practitioners is projected to grow by 40% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 323K Nurse Practitioner positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 19%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Nurse Practitioners the most?
The highest-paying states for Nurse Practitioners include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $156,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Nurse Practitioner salary?
To increase your Nurse Practitioner salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Diagnosis and Prescribing. Pursue certifications such as AANP Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 3-5 years of experience, you can progress from $99,800 to $156,200 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Nurse Practitioner Salary
How we calculate Nurse Practitioner salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Nurse Practitioners (SOC 29-1171), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $132,300, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Nurse Practitioners; BLS mean $137,300; BLS hourly median $63.61.
- Entry-level ($99,800) and senior-level ($156,200) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +40% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 323,040 Nurse Practitioners jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 19% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Healthcare sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Master's Degree (MSN), per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $132,300; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Nurse Practitioner compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Practitioner job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Nurse Practitioner salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Diagnosis, Prescribing, Patient Assessment), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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