So you're a Nurse Practitioner (NP). You've got the credentials and the experience. You've seen your patients and their families through tough times and know what it takes to help them get better. You're not just a doctor—you're also a counsellor and a friend.
But how much do you make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for an NP is around $111,680 per year. That's not bad at all! But what if I told you that there are some NPs out there who make more than twice that amount? What if there were NPs who made three times as much or even more?
Well, guess what: there are. And in this article, we'll tell you how they did it—so that maybe someday soon, YOU can be one of those high-earning NPs!
Average Starting Salary for Nurse Practitioners
The average starting salary for a nurse practitioner is $104,000. That's according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)'s 2019 Nurse Practitioner Compensation Survey.
The good news is that some factors can increase your income as an NP — especially if you're willing to work hard and specialise in a certain care area.
Salary Range for Nurse Practitioners
The salary range for nurse practitioners varies by state and location. The average annual salary for a Nurse Practitioner ranges from $84,120 at the lowest end to $190,900 at the highest level.
Salaries vary widely based on geographic location, work setting and years of experience. Nurse practitioners earn higher salaries in urban areas than in rural areas because they may have more opportunities for advancement there.
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Nurse Practitioner Salary by Years of Experience
Nurse practitioners is highly trained medical professionals who work closely with doctors to provide primary care. According to Payscale.com, the average annual salary for a nurse practitioner is $99,591 or $52.82 per hour. However, according to their experience, they can earn better:
- Less than 1 year of experience: $92,487
- 1 to 4 years: $97,951
- 5 to 9 years: $103,800
- 10 to 19 years: $109,436
- 20+ years: $111,005
Nurse Practitioner Salaries by Role
Nurse practitioners are among the most highly sought-after healthcare professionals in the United States. According to a recent American Association of Nurse Practitioners survey, as many as 90 per cent of nurse practitioners say they're satisfied with their jobs, and more than half feel their work has significant meaning and impact on patients' lives.
However, there are many different types of nurse practitioners, each with different roles and responsibilities. These differences have a significant impact on nurse practitioner salaries.
We've broken down nurse practitioner salaries by role to help you determine which type might be right for you:
Psychiatric/mental health (adult) nurse practitioner: $125,000
- Neonatal nurse practitioner: $122,500
- Acute care nurse practitioner: $120,000
- Psychiatric/mental health (family) nurse practitioner: $119,000
- Oncology nurse practitioner: $119,000
- Gerontology nurse practitioner: $118,000
- Hospice and palliative care nurse practitioner: $116,000
- Adult nurse practitioner: $115,000
- Adult (gerontology and acute care) nurse practitioner: $112,000
- Diabetes management (advanced) nurse practitioner: $110,000
- Pediatrics nurse practitioner: $108,500
- Family nurse practitioner: $107,000
- Adult (gerontology and primary care) nurse practitioner: $107,000
- Women’s health nurse practitioner: $105,000
Nurse Practitioner Salaries by State
The average salary for nurse practitioners (NPs) is $111,680. However, this number can be misleading as many factors determine how much you make.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the salaries in states in America for NPs:
State | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
Alabama | $99,790 |
Alaska | $110,270 |
Arizona | $117,480 |
Arkansas | $106,210 |
California | $145,970 |
Colorado | $109,760 |
Connecticut | $116,780 |
Delaware | $112,230 |
District of Columbia | $116150 |
Florida | $101,060 |
Georgia | $106,220 |
Hawaii | $118,780 |
Idaho | $113,890 |
Illinois | $112,060 |
Indiana | $109,940 |
Iowa | $107,910 |
Kansas | $104,530 |
Kentucky | $102,460 |
Louisiana | $111,880 |
Maine | $111,580 |
Maryland | $115,240 |
Massachusetts | $126,050 |
Michigan | $109,150 |
Minnesota | $118,900 |
Mississippi | $109,550 |
Missouri | $106,870 |
Montana | $114,370 |
Nebraska | $107,330 |
Nevada | $119,890 |
New Hampshire | $112,460 |
New Jersey | $130,890 |
New Mexico | $117,050 |
New York | $126,440 |
North Carolina | $108,370 |
North Dakota | $111,070 |
Ohio | $105,630 |
Oklahoma | $112,750 |
Oregon | $118,600 |
Pennsylvania | $111,560 |
Highest-Paying States for Nurse Practitioners
The highest-paying states for nurse practitioners are:
Highest-Paying Workplaces for Nurse Practitioners
Many employers offer NPs flexible schedules and other perks that make them valuable to any team. While salaries vary depending on location, experience level and type of employer, here are some of the highest-paying workplaces for NPs:
Highest-Paying Metropolitan Areas for Nurse Practitioners
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these are the top 10 highest-paying metropolitan areas for nurse practitioners:
Highest-Paying nonmetropolitan areas for Nurse Practitioners
The highest-paying nonmetropolitan areas for nurse practitioners are:
How Do Nurse Practitioner Salaries Compare to Other Nurses?
The mean annual wage for nurse practitioners is $118,040, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That's higher than all occupations' overall mean yearly wage, which is $48,340.
But how do NP salaries compare to those of other nurses? The chart below compares RN, CNS and APRN salaries.
What Kind of Salary Growth Can I Expect?
The salary growth for a new grad can be broken down into two categories:
1. Salary growth you get from promotions and raises
2. Salary growth that comes with moving to a new job
The first one is much easier to predict, as it’s primarily dependent on your performance. The second one is more complicated because it depends on the market conditions when you change jobs and how well you negotiate your salary.
The average salary increase for an entry-level employee is 5-10% per year, according to research by Indeed and PayScale.
The number varies depending on industry, location and experience level. Still, as long as you’re performing well, you should expect at least this amount of increase every year until you reach the management level (and possibly beyond).
How Competitive is the Job Market for NPs?
The National Board of NPs recently reported that more than 355,000 nurse practitioners are in the United States.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that the number of jobs for Nurse Practitioners will grow by 28 per cent by 2028, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
The good news is that it's not as competitive as you might think. In fact, some nurses who have been laid off from hospitals or clinics have found jobs easily once they become certified as nurse practitioners (NPs). Nurse practitioners can work in various settings, including hospitals, private practices and nursing homes.
Many employers prefer hiring certified NPs because they are trained to provide more comprehensive patient care than their non-certified counterparts. Some employers also pay extra salaries to certified NPs because of their additional training and experience.
What Kind of Institutions Hire Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse practitioners work in many different types of settings:
1. Hospitals
Nurse practitioners can work in hospitals as part of a team that includes doctors and other health care professionals. Nurse practitioners may also work in outpatient clinics that provide preventive care, diagnosis and treatment for common medical conditions.
2. Corporate Health Centers
Many large companies offer on-site health services, including nurse practitioners who can assess employees' health needs and provide care on-site.
3. Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)
Nurse practitioners often work in SNFs, where they oversee the care given by other nurses and physicians.
They may also provide direct patient care, especially if they have special training or experience treating older adults or people with chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart disease.
3 Ways to Increase Your Salary as a Nurse Practitioner
As a nurse practitioner, you have the power to increase your salary. You may wonder how you can make more money as a nurse practitioner.
The good news is that there are several ways to increase your salary as a nurse practitioner. Here are three tips to help you increase your pay:
1. Find a higher-paying position
You can also try to find a position with a higher pay scale. You may need to look at positions requiring more experience or education to make more money. Some areas of the country pay more for nurses than others, so if you want to make more money, consider moving to a region where wages are higher.
2. Get certified
Certification is an essential step if you want to become a nurse practitioner or advance in your current role.
Certification shows that you have attained certain levels of education and training, which gives employers confidence in their ability to manage medical care for patients under their care.
3. Increase your experience
As with many professions, experience is vital when earning higher paychecks. The BLS reports that the median pay for Nurse Practitioners with less than one year of experience is $92,487 per year, while those with three or more years make $103,800 annually on average.
It’s A Wrap!
Nurse practitioners are a valuable part of the healthcare team. They are highly trained, certified professionals who provide care and treatment to patients in various settings.
As you can see, nurse practitioners make excellent salaries, but this is only one aspect of the profession. Many other benefits come with being a nurse practitioner.
FAQs
How much do most nurse practitioners make?
Nurse practitioners are some of the most in-demand healthcare professionals in the country. They're also some of the highest-paid, with average salaries starting at around $92,000 per year.
How much do NPs make in Canada?
The average annual wage for a nurse practitioner in Canada is $105,494 per year or $54.10 per hour.
The nurse practitioner's salary can vary depending on many factors such as the location of practice, the type of employer (public vs. private), experience level and certifications the nurse practitioner holds.
What is the lowest salary for a nurse practitioner?
The lowest salary for a nurse practitioner is $75,000 annually or less. This is the minimum amount of money that you can earn as a nurse practitioner.
Where does NP get paid the most?
The best place to make money as a nurse practitioner is California, where the average salary is $133,780.
The second-best pay is in Alaska at $122,880 and Massachusetts at $122,740. New Jersey offers the fourth-highest pay at $122,100, and New York rounds out the top five with an average annual salary of $120,970.
How many years does it take to become a nurse practitioner?
It takes six to eight years to become a nurse practitioner. You can earn your degree online, at a community college, or at a four-year university.
You'll need to complete clinical internships during this time. Your clinical internships will give you hands-on experience working with patients in a variety of settings and will help you develop the skills needed to become an NP.
Once you've graduated from college, you'll need to pass the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX-PN) before you can start practising as an NP. In most states, this exam is administered by Pearson VUE.
It costs $200 to take the exam and requires that you submit proof of completion of all nursing education requirements before taking it.
