NP Hiring
ACNP Salary Data · Updated Daily

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Salary

ACNPs manage complex, high-acuity patients in ICUs, step-down units, and hospital specialty services — typically on shift-based schedules with differentials. The national median across all NPs is $129,210 per year (BLS OEWS, Nurse Practitioners (29-1171) — median annual wage, May 2024). Acute Care pay is estimated at $142K–$155K (+10–20% premium).

All-NP Median (BLS)

$129,210

BLS OEWS, Nurse Practitioners (29-1171) — median annual wage, May 2024

Estimated Acute Care Range

$142K – $155K

Median × +10–20% premium

Certification & Where Acute Care NPs Work

Certification: ANCC (AGACNP-BC) or AACN (ACNPC-AG). State licensure requirements vary — check your state board of nursing for specifics.

ICUsStep-down unitsHospital specialty servicesRapid response teams

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Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Salary — FAQ

How much does an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) make?

The national median across all NPs is $129,210 per year (BLS OEWS, Nurse Practitioners (29-1171) — median annual wage, May 2024). Acute Care roles typically carry a +10–20% premium over that median — an estimated $142K–$155K per year.

Why do Acute Care NPs earn a premium?

The +10–20% premium reflects: AGACNP certification, hospital demand. Typical practice settings include ICUs, step-down units, hospital specialty services.

What certification does an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) need?

ANCC (AGACNP-BC) or AACN (ACNPC-AG). State licensure requirements vary — check your state board of nursing for specifics.

How can I increase my ACNP salary?

Compare offers across practice settings (ICUs, step-down units, hospital specialty services), consider states granting full practice authority (27 states + DC per AANP State Practice Environment), and negotiate total compensation — base, bonuses, CME allowance, and loan-repayment support — rather than base salary alone.

Data sources: BLS OEWS, Nurse Practitioners (29-1171) — median annual wage, May 2024 · specialty premium as published in the NP Hiring salary guide, applied to that median as an estimate.

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