Whether you’re a seasoned nurse practitioner (NP) evaluating your next move or a healthcare professional exploring a new path, understanding the current nurse practitioner salary landscape is essential. The right data empowers you to negotiate more confidently, compare job offers, and plan for long-term financial security.
The average nurse practitioner salary in the U.S. is $129,210 per year, with an average hourly rate of $62.12, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, salaries can vary widely depending on your state, specialization, and healthcare setting.
In this guide, we’ll explore how nurse practitioner salaries differ across states and healthcare environments, what factors influence pay, and how to use this data to inform your career decisions.
Location is one of the most important factors when it comes to determining a nurse practitioner’s salary. Some states offer significantly higher pay due to high demand, a higher cost of living, and access to healthcare.
The national average salaries listed below are sourced from the BLS, except for Colorado and Nevada, which are based on data from salary.com
| State | Yearly average | Hourly average |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $106,930 | $51 |
| Alaska | $145,450 | $70 |
| Arizona | $133,790 | $64 |
| Arkansas | $113,660 | $55 |
| California | $166,610 | $80 |
| Colorado | $127,053 | $94.38 |
| Connecticut | $138,960 | $66.81 |
| Delaware | $127,810 | $61.45 |
| Florida | $129,010 | $62.02 |
| Georgia | $126,060 | $60.60 |
| Hawaii | $130,940 | $62.95 |
| Idaho | $128,940 | $61.99 |
| Illinois | $128,620 | $61.84 |
| Indiana | $128,280 | $61.67 |
| Iowa | $129,420 | $62.22 |
| Kansas | $124,690 | $59.95 |
| Kentucky | $113,870 | $54.74 |
| Louisiana | $125,980 | $60.57 |
| Maine | $125,040 | $60.12 |
| Maryland | $125,530 | $60.35 |
| Massachusetts | $138,890 | $66.77 |
| Michigan | $125,620 | $60.40 |
| Minnesota | $128,570 | $61.81 |
| Mississippi | $119,290 | $57.35 |
| Missouri | $126,370 | $60.75 |
| Montana | $133,640 | $64.25 |
| Nebraska | $127,930 | $61.50 |
| Nevada | $141,326 | $105 |
| New Hampshire | $132,440 | $63.67 |
| New Jersey | $149,620 | $71.94 |
| New Mexico | $138,440 | $66.56 |
| New York | $145,390 | $69.90 |
| North Carolina | $125,020 | $60.11 |
| North Dakota | $123,220 | $59.24 |
| Ohio | $126,740 | $60.93 |
| Oklahoma | $126,670 | $60.90 |
| Oregon | $144,600 | $69.52 |
| Pennsylvania | $127,400 | $61.25 |
| Rhode Island | $130,710 | $62.84 |
| South Carolina | $116,240 | $55.88 |
| South Dakota | $122,600 | $58.94 |
| Tennessee | $108,420 | $52.12 |
| Texas | $129,880 | $62.44 |
| Utah | $125,700 | $60.43 |
| Vermont | $129,740 | $62.37 |
| Virginia | $124,210 | $59.72 |
| Washington | $140,220 | $67.41 |
| West Virginia | $121,640 | $58.48 |
| Wisconsin | $128,580 | $61.82 |
| Wyoming | $127,750 | $61.42 |
Want to know where NPs are making the most money in 2025? We’ve rounded up the top 5 highest-paying states, along with each state’s cost of living index (learn how to read it here) and practice authority, so you know what kind of care you’re allowed to provide.
| State | Yearly average | Hourly average |
|---|---|---|
| California | $166,610 | $80 |
| New Jersey | $149,620 | $71.94 |
| Alaska | $145,450 | $70 |
| New York | $145,390 | $69.90 |
| Oregon | $144,600 | $69.52 |
Get more information on what you need to know about NP practice in California
Get more information on what you need to know about NP practice in New Jersey
Get more information about what you need to know about NP practice in Alaska
Get more information about what you need to know about NP practice in New York
Get more information about what you need to know about NP practice in Oregon
Several variables influence what you can expect to earn as a nurse practitioner. Understanding these factors can help you identify opportunities for growth and salary increases.
Your salary as a nurse practitioner can change a lot depending on where you work. In cities or areas with fewer healthcare providers, NPs often earn more because there’s higher demand—and the cost of living tends to be higher too.
The nurse practitioner pay scale can differ significantly based on the type of facility where you work. According to the most recent BLS data, here’s how average annual salaries break down by healthcare setting:
As you can see, working in home health or outpatient care may lead to higher compensation than working in a hospital or a physician’s office. Keep these figures in mind when evaluating potential roles and negotiating offers.
Some nurse practitioner roles—like psychiatric mental health NPs, neonatal nurse practitioners, and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs)—tend to earn more than general NPs due to their advanced training and scope of practice.
Here are the yearly average salaries from ZipRecruiter:
Whether you’re advancing in your current NP role or exploring new opportunities, understanding the nurse practitioner salary trends by state, specialty, and setting can help you plan your next move strategically. From negotiating better pay to deciding where to relocate, staying informed helps you make empowered career decisions.
As the demand for nurse practitioners continues to grow, especially in primary care and underserved regions, compensation opportunities are expanding. Use this data to advocate for yourself, benchmark your worth, and take control of your professional future.
Skip the Search
Send us your resume, and we'll find the jobs that are the best match for you.
Submit ResumeReady to advance your nursing career? Explore our job openings or connect with our healthcare recruiters today. Your future starts here!
