With a higher degree of training and more responsibilities, nurse practitioners, or NPs, can expect to earn around $132,000 a year.
In addition to a good salary, NPs may also enjoy a degree of job security, as the need for the profession continues to grow.
According to the most recent figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of NP jobs is expected to grow 35% over the next decade — faster than nearly every other occupation in the U.S.
Read on to better understand what it’s like to work as a nurse practitioner and what your earning potential may be.
Key Points
• Nurse practitioners earn a median annual salary of $132,000, with potential for higher earnings.
• Employment growth for nurse practitioners is projected at 35% over the next decade.
• Entry-level nurse practitioners typically earn less than $99,000 annually.
• Highest salaries are found in home health care, outpatient care centers, and hospitals.
• Full-time benefits include medical and dental insurance, paid vacation, and retirement contribution matching.
Table of Contents
- What Are Nurse Practitioners?
- How Much Do Starting Nurse Practitioners Make?
- What Is the Average Salary for a Nurse Practitioner?
- What Is the Average Nurse Practitioner Salary by State for 2025?
- Nurse Practitioner Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits
- Pros and Cons of Nurse Practitioner Salary
- The Takeaway
- FAQ
What Are Nurse Practitioners?
A nurse practitioner works with patients to help coordinate and execute their care.
The exact tasks an NP can take on depend on what is allowed in the state they are working in, but in many states, they can order medical tests, provide patient diagnoses, and even prescribe medications.
Some of the work nurse practitioners do will be independent, but usually their jobs involve a lot of patient interaction and collaboration with physicians and other medical professionals.
Because this role requires so much human interaction, it may not be a great fit for anyone who is an introvert.
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How Much Do Starting Nurse Practitioners Make?
How much money does a nurse practitioner make in the early days of their career? According to ZipRecruiter, the lowest 10% of earners in this field typically make less than $99,000, but it’s crucial to remember their entry-level salary can rise as they gain experience. The highest 10% of earners stand to make more than $180,000 a year.
As you move up in your career, so can your salary. A money tracker app can help keep tabs on your spending and make progress toward your financial goals.
What Is the Average Salary for a Nurse Practitioner?
How much does a nurse practitioner make an hour? The median hourly wage for nurse practitioners is $63.46. The actual amount someone stands to earn as a nurse practitioner can vary depending on what industry they work in.
Those looking to earn a more competitive wage can tailor their job search to a more lucrative field. For example, this is what the median annual wage looks like for nurse practitioners in a few different industries:
• Home health care services: $130,410
• Outpatient care centers: $143,600
• Hospitals: $138,340
• Offices of physicians: $139,070
• Offices of dentists: $137,170
Whatever your income, an online budget planner can give you insights on your budgeting and spending.
What Is the Average Nurse Practitioner Salary by State for 2025?
The state that nurse practitioners work in can also affect their earnings.
This table outlines the average nurse practitioner salary by state:
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $109,650 |
| Alaska | $142,340 |
| Arizona | $132,920 |
| Arkansas | $116,030 |
| California | $173,190 |
| Colorado | $127,610 |
| Connecticut | $141,140 |
| Delaware | $130,190 |
| District of Columbia | $137,600 |
| Florida | $128,340 |
| Georgia | $125,490 |
| Hawaii | $135,020 |
| Idaho | $131,380 |
| Illinois | $128,880 |
| Indiana | $126,520 |
| Iowa | $133,020 |
| Kansas | $127,900 |
| Kentucky | $116,930 |
| Louisiana | $124,850 |
| Maine | $127,750 |
| Maryland | $127,100 |
| Massachusetts | $145,140 |
| Michigan | $127,200 |
| Minnesota | $128,120 |
| Mississippi | $122,930 |
| Missouri | $124,600 |
| Montana | $131,560 |
| Nebraska | $127,950 |
| Nevada | n/a |
| New Hampshire | $133,360 |
| New Jersey | $140,470 |
| New Mexico | $136,620 |
| New York | $148,410 |
| North Carolina | $124,830 |
| North Dakota | $121,200 |
| Ohio | $121,250 |
| Oklahoma | $127,120 |
| Oregon | $148,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $126,730 |
| Rhode Island | $139,600 |
| South Carolina | $113,950 |
| South Dakota | $122,300 |
| Tennessee | $108,180 |
| Texas | $130,930 |
| Utah | $131,680 |
| Vermont | $130,580 |
| Virginia | $122,180 |
| Washington | $143,620 |
| West Virginia | $122,140 |
| Wisconsin | $130,490 |
| Wyoming | $126,060 |
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Nurse Practitioner Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits
Alongside earning a median annual wage of $132,000, many nurse practitioners qualify for valuable employee benefits like paid vacation, medical and dental insurance, and retirement contribution matching. It’s very common to work full time as a nurse practitioner, and many salaried roles come with benefits.
Increasingly, AI is being used to automate routine tasks, which can help NPs focus more on patient care. So those considering a career as a nurse practitioner may want to explore educational courses or certifications on AI in health care.
Pros and Cons of Nurse Practitioner Salary
Before rushing head first into a new career path, potential NPs will want to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of the profession.
Pros:
• High rate of employment growth (35% projected from 2024 to 2034)
• Large number of job openings (32,700 each year)
• Full-time roles with benefits available
• High earning potential
Cons:
• May need to work nights, weekends, or holidays
• Physically and emotionally demanding job
• Exposure to germs
• May need to be on call
• Need a master’s degree or better
• Requires a professional license
The Takeaway
If someone has a passion for practicing medicine and providing patient care, then they may find that working as a nurse practitioner is emotionally and fiscally rewarding. They can expect to earn a median annual salary of $132,000, but with time and more experience, they can see their salary increase.
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FAQ
What is the highest paying nurse practitioner job?
If someone is looking to earn the most as a nurse practitioner, they may want to apply for jobs at hospitals. Nurse practitioners who work at hospitals tend to earn more than those in other workplaces (a median salary of $132,000).
Do nurse practitioners make $100K a year?
It is very possible to earn a salary of $100,000 or more per year as a nurse practitioner. The lowest 25% of earners in this field make less than $108,000, per ZipRecruiter, but the median annual salary is $132,000. The top 10% of earners can make more than $180,000 a year.
The top 10% of earners can make more than $180,000 a year.
How much do Nurse Practitioners make starting out?
In the early days of their career, nurse practitioners can expect to earn a lower salary than some of their more experienced counterparts. The lowest 10% of earners make less than $99,000, but that salary will likely rise over the years.
About the author
Jacqueline DeMarco
Jacqueline DeMarco is a freelance writer who specializes in financial topics. Her first job out of college was in the financial industry, and it was there she gained a passion for helping others understand tricky financial topics. Read full bio.
Photo credit: iStock/SDI Productions
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