2026 Salary Data
NP Salary Guide
National median $129,210 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). State-by-state breakdown, experience levels, practice settings, and tips to maximize earnings.
Quick Answer: NP Salary in 2026
The median NP salary is $129,210 per year (BLS OEWS, Nurse Practitioners (29-1171) — median annual wage, May 2024). New graduates start at $95,000-$115,000, while experienced NPs (7-15 years) earn $150,000-$180,000. Private practice owners can earn $180,000-$300,000+. Pay runs highest in West Coast and Northeast markets, with California, Washington, and New Jersey near the top in federal wage data.
Every salary range and percentage premium on this page other than the cited national median is NP Hiring's own editorial estimate, compiled from the roles posted here. Treat them as a starting point for negotiation, not as survey data.
Source: BLS OEWS, Nurse Practitioners (29-1171) — median annual wage, May 2024. Based on 198 active postings with disclosed salary on NP Hiring, recomputed as postings are ingested daily. Figures last reviewed July 28, 2026.
Salary by Location
NP Salary by State
See how NP salaries compare across different states. Click any state name for its full salary breakdown.
Note: Each figure is the median of that state's active NP-eligible postings with disclosed, non-estimated salary (screened by job title), recomputed daily. A state appears with a figure only when it has at least 5 such postings from 3+ employers — states below that sample are listed separately without a figure. Each state name links to a detailed page with pay by setting and top employers.
Based on 198 active postings with disclosed salary on NP Hiring, recomputed as postings are ingested daily.
States with too few postings for a reliable figure
Fewer than 5 qualifying postings (or fewer than 3 employers) — sample too small to publish a salary figure. Browse the live listings instead:
Salary Breakdown
What Impacts Your Earnings
Every salary range and percentage premium on this page other than the cited national median is NP Hiring's own editorial estimate, compiled from the roles posted here. Treat them as a starting point for negotiation, not as survey data.
Full Practice Authority
27 states + DC grant FPA (AANP State Practice Environment). Practice authority is a legal classification, not a pay scale — it decides which ways of earning are open to you in that state.
✓ Full Practice Authority
- • Own and bill under your own practice
- • Independent 1099 and telehealth work
- • Full clinical independence
Restricted / Reduced
- • Collaborating physician required first
- • That agreement is usually a paid one
- • Physician oversight where restricted
Market Intelligence
Why NP Demand Is High
- • 90 million+ Americans live in primary-care shortage areas (HRSA)
- • 40% projected NP job growth through 2034 (BLS)
Maximize Your Pay
Factors Affecting NP Salary
Geographic Location
States with higher cost of living and greater demand (CA, NY, MA) typically offer 20-40% higher salaries than rural areas.
Experience Level
Entry-level NPs start around $95-115k. With 5+ years experience, salaries can reach $150-180k or more.
Practice Setting
Private practice and telehealth positions often pay more than hospital or community health settings.
Employment Type
1099 contractors and travel NPs often earn 20-50% more than W2 employees, though without traditional benefits.
Specialization
Subspecialties like acute care, emergency, psychiatric-mental health, or dermatology can command premium pay (+10-25%).
Negotiation
NPs who negotiate can often secure 5-15% higher starting salaries plus signing bonuses ($5,000-$30,000).
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data Sources & Methodology: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS OEWS, May 2024), HRSA, AANP, and analysis of 198 active NP job postings with disclosed salary on this board. Job posting data updates daily.
