Nurse Practitioner Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. Order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California CA | $170,514 | $81.98/hr | $116,551 | 23,960 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 146.3 |
| #2 | Oregon OR | $151,255 | $72.72/hr | $125,836 | 2,540 | Salem, OR | 120.2 |
| #3 | Alaska AK | $150,865 | $72.53/hr | $122,754 | 490 | Anchorage, AK | 122.9 |
| #4 | Hawaii HI | $149,890 | $72.07/hr | $92,183 | 460 | Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 162.6 |
| #5 | New Jersey NJ | $148,730 | $71.50/hr | $125,935 | 1,030 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 118.1 |
| #6 | Washington WA | $145,692 | $70.05/hr | $129,160 | 1,660 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 112.8 |
| #7 | Nevada NV | $140,710 | $67.65/hr | $126,310 | 1,810 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 111.4 |
| #8 | New York NY | $139,353 | $67.00/hr | $114,599 | 28,360 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 121.6 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or DNP, Board Certification (AANP/ANCC), State APRN license
Specialty board credentials (FNP, AGACNP, PMHNP), independent prescriptive authority
Departmental leadership, advanced clinical protocols, multidisciplinary clinical management
Executive clinical leadership, health system APRN governance, doctorate in nursing practice
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Nurse Practitioner: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Healthcare Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Healthcare occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Nurse Practitioner. Official 2026 economic data for Nurse Practitioner compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Nurse Practitioner range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Nurse Practitioner: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Nurse Practitioner is $132,300 per year ($63.61/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 383 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $103,700 in Gadsden, AL to $231,560 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Nurse Practitioner
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $231,560 | +75.0% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $219,080 | +65.6% |
| Vallejo, CA | $182,370 | +37.8% |
| Napa, CA | $176,270 | +33.2% |
| Modesto, CA | $173,380 | +31.1% |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $172,010 | +30.0% |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $169,920 | +28.4% |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $168,540 | +27.4% |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $167,190 | +26.4% |
| Chico, CA | $167,080 | +26.3% |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $167,040 | +26.3% |
| Fresno, CA | $166,570 | +25.9% |