NP Salary by State 2026
Nurse practitioner compensation varies dramatically based on where you practice, your specialty, and how you negotiate. While national averages provide a baseline, understanding the full picture helps you maximize your earning potential.
National NP Salary Overview
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data:
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $126,260 |
| 10th percentile | $94,480 |
| 90th percentile | $168,210 |
| Mean hourly wage | $60.70 |
These figures represent all NP specialties combined. Your actual earning potential depends heavily on specialty and location.
NP Salary by State: The Full Picture
Highest Paying States for Nurse Practitioners
| Rank | State | Mean Annual Salary | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $158,130 | 142 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $143,250 | 115 |
| 3 | Washington | $142,890 | 108 |
| 4 | New York | $140,540 | 123 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $138,780 | 130 |
| 6 | Nevada | $136,450 | 104 |
| 7 | Oregon | $135,920 | 113 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $135,200 | 111 |
| 9 | Alaska | $134,870 | 128 |
| 10 | Maryland | $131,890 | 118 |
California leads, but when adjusted for cost of living, Nevada and Washington offer better purchasing power.
Lowest Paying States for Nurse Practitioners
| Rank | State | Mean Annual Salary | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee | $102,410 | 90 |
| 2 | Alabama | $104,230 | 89 |
| 3 | Arkansas | $105,840 | 87 |
| 4 | Mississippi | $106,120 | 84 |
| 5 | Kentucky | $107,670 | 90 |
Lower nominal salaries don’t tell the whole story. Mississippi’s $106,000 salary with an 84 cost of living index yields similar purchasing power to $126,000 in an average-cost area.
All 50 States: NP Salary Data
| State | Mean Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $104,230 | $50.11 |
| Alaska | $134,870 | $64.84 |
| Arizona | $123,450 | $59.35 |
| Arkansas | $105,840 | $50.88 |
| California | $158,130 | $76.02 |
| Colorado | $125,670 | $60.42 |
| Connecticut | $135,200 | $65.00 |
| Delaware | $124,890 | $60.04 |
| Florida | $115,340 | $55.45 |
| Georgia | $116,780 | $56.14 |
| Hawaii | $129,450 | $62.24 |
| Idaho | $118,340 | $56.89 |
| Illinois | $121,560 | $58.44 |
| Indiana | $114,890 | $55.24 |
| Iowa | $117,230 | $56.36 |
| Kansas | $116,120 | $55.83 |
| Kentucky | $107,670 | $51.76 |
| Louisiana | $112,450 | $54.06 |
| Maine | $119,780 | $57.59 |
| Maryland | $131,890 | $63.41 |
| Massachusetts | $138,780 | $66.72 |
| Michigan | $118,450 | $56.95 |
| Minnesota | $127,340 | $61.22 |
| Mississippi | $106,120 | $51.02 |
| Missouri | $113,890 | $54.76 |
| Montana | $121,450 | $58.39 |
| Nebraska | $118,670 | $57.05 |
| Nevada | $136,450 | $65.60 |
| New Hampshire | $127,890 | $61.49 |
| New Jersey | $143,250 | $68.87 |
| New Mexico | $120,340 | $57.86 |
| New York | $140,540 | $67.57 |
| North Carolina | $117,450 | $56.47 |
| North Dakota | $123,670 | $59.46 |
| Ohio | $115,230 | $55.40 |
| Oklahoma | $111,890 | $53.79 |
| Oregon | $135,920 | $65.35 |
| Pennsylvania | $119,450 | $57.43 |
| Rhode Island | $128,670 | $61.86 |
| South Carolina | $113,450 | $54.54 |
| South Dakota | $114,780 | $55.18 |
| Tennessee | $102,410 | $49.24 |
| Texas | $123,890 | $59.56 |
| Utah | $119,230 | $57.32 |
| Vermont | $122,450 | $58.87 |
| Virginia | $121,670 | $58.50 |
| Washington | $142,890 | $68.70 |
| West Virginia | $108,450 | $52.14 |
| Wisconsin | $120,780 | $58.07 |
| Wyoming | $121,340 | $58.34 |
NP Salary by Specialty
Specialty dramatically impacts earnings. Here’s how different NP roles compare:
Highest Paying NP Specialties
| Specialty | Median Salary | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP) | $145,000 | $180,000+ |
| Acute Care NP (ACNP) | $135,000 | $165,000+ |
| Neonatal NP (NNP) | $132,000 | $160,000+ |
| Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP | $130,000 | $155,000+ |
| Emergency NP (ENP) | $128,000 | $155,000+ |
Other NP Specialties
| Specialty | Median Salary | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) | $118,000 | $145,000+ |
| Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP | $116,000 | $140,000+ |
| Pediatric NP (PNP) | $115,000 | $140,000+ |
| Women’s Health NP (WHNP) | $112,000 | $138,000+ |
Why PMHNPs Earn More
The mental health shortage drives PMHNP salaries:
- Severe psychiatrist shortage nationwide
- Telehealth expansion increased demand
- Minimal overhead for psychiatric practice
- High patient volume potential
- Insurance reimbursement rates favor psych
If salary is a primary concern, PMHNP certification offers the strongest ROI for most NP students.
Factors That Affect NP Salary
1. Geographic Location
Beyond state-level differences, urban vs. rural matters:
Urban/Suburban:
- Higher nominal salaries
- More competition for positions
- Higher cost of living
- More specialty positions available
Rural:
- Often lower base salaries
- Loan repayment programs available ($50,000-$100,000+)
- Housing costs dramatically lower
- May have sign-on bonuses due to shortage
- Broader scope of practice by necessity
A rural NP earning $105,000 with a $50,000 loan repayment bonus and $800/month housing may be financially better off than an urban NP earning $135,000 with $2,500/month rent.
2. Practice Setting
| Setting | Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital employed | $110,000-$160,000 | Benefits package adds 20-30% |
| Private physician group | $105,000-$145,000 | Often productivity-based |
| Urgent care | $100,000-$130,000 | May include per-visit bonuses |
| Retail clinic | $95,000-$120,000 | Predictable hours |
| Federally qualified health center | $100,000-$130,000 | Loan repayment eligible |
| Independent practice | $120,000-$200,000+ | Highly variable |
| Telehealth | $110,000-$150,000 | Growing sector |
3. Experience Level
| Years of Experience | Typical Salary Range |
|---|---|
| New graduate | $95,000-$115,000 |
| 2-5 years | $110,000-$130,000 |
| 5-10 years | $125,000-$150,000 |
| 10+ years | $140,000-$175,000+ |
Experience premiums are real but plateau around year 10. After that, specialty, location, and negotiation matter more than additional years.
4. Certifications and Credentials
Additional certifications can boost earning potential:
- DEA registration (required for prescribing controlled substances)
- Specialty certifications (diabetes educator, HIV specialist, etc.)
- Procedure competencies (suturing, joint injections, skin biopsies)
- DNP degree (minimal salary impact but may help with leadership roles)
5. Full Practice Authority Status
Full practice authority states don’t necessarily pay more, but they offer:
- Ability to open independent practices
- No physician oversight requirements
- Potential for higher income through business ownership
- More flexibility in employment negotiations
Negotiating Your NP Salary
Know Your Worth
Before negotiating, research:
- Salary surveys for your specialty and region (AANP, AAPA)
- Cost of living in the specific area
- What competing employers offer
- Benefits value (health insurance alone can be worth $15,000-$25,000)
Total Compensation Matters
Base salary is one piece. Consider:
| Benefit | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Health/dental/vision insurance | $8,000-$18,000/year |
| Retirement match (3-6%) | $3,000-$8,000/year |
| CME allowance | $2,000-$5,000/year |
| License/certification fees | $500-$1,500/year |
| Malpractice insurance | $3,000-$10,000/year |
| Paid time off | 3-5 weeks |
| Loan repayment programs | $10,000-$50,000/year |
A $120,000 salary with comprehensive benefits may exceed a $135,000 salary with minimal benefits.
Negotiation Strategies
-
Never accept the first offer. Employers expect negotiation.
-
Negotiate after receiving written offer. Get specifics before countering.
-
Ask about the salary range. If offered $115,000 and range goes to $135,000, there’s room.
-
Counter with data. “Based on AANP salary survey data for this specialty and region, I’d expect $125,000-$130,000.”
-
Negotiate beyond salary. If base salary is firm, negotiate:
- Sign-on bonus
- Relocation assistance
- Extra PTO
- CME budget
- Flexible scheduling
- Loan repayment
-
Get everything in writing. Verbal promises aren’t enforceable.
Career Moves That Increase NP Income
Short-Term Strategies
- Pick up PRN shifts at hospitals, urgent cares, or telehealth
- Add speciality certifications that enable procedures or populations
- Negotiate during annual reviews with documentation of value
Long-Term Strategies
- Switch specialties (FNP to PMHNP pays off within 2-3 years)
- Move to higher-paying market (relocating from Alabama to California = $50,000+ boost)
- Start independent practice in FPA states
- Move into administration (chief NP, clinical director roles)
- Add consulting or expert witness work
The Bottom Line
NP salaries have increased significantly over the past decade, reflecting demand and expanded scope of practice. The median $126,000 salary exceeds most healthcare professions and offers substantial growth potential.
To maximize your earning potential:
- Choose high-demand specialties (psych, acute care) if financially motivated
- Consider total compensation including benefits and loan repayment
- Evaluate cost of living alongside nominal salary
- Negotiate every offer and annual review
- Build specialized skills that differentiate you
Whether you earn $100,000 in a low-cost rural area or $160,000 in an expensive metro, NP careers offer financial stability and growth that few professions match.
Interested in becoming an NP? See our guide on how to become a nurse practitioner or explore NP requirements by state.
About the Author
License Guide Team
Clinical Editorial Team
Our editorial team includes licensed nurses and healthcare professionals dedicated to providing accurate, up-to-date nursing licensure information sourced directly from state boards of nursing.