As an Advanced Practice Provider, you have a wide range of career opportunities and earning potential. Before diving into job applications and salary negotiations, it’s helpful to understand the average salaries for APPs and the key factors that can influence your pay.Â
Whether you’re a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or certified registered nurse anesthetist, knowing what to expect can help you decide whether to pursue permanent positions or explore options like locum tenens and moonlighting.
In this guide, we’ve gathered salary data from trusted sources like Salary.com, ZipRecruiter, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, plus industry insights from OnCall Solutions staffing experts, to examine APP compensation trends.
Salary Trends for Advanced Practice Providers
The rising demand for healthcare services is driving higher compensation for APPs. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NPs and PAs rank among the top 10 fastest-growing occupations. CRNAs often command even higher salaries due to the critical nature of their work.
Let’s look closer at the earning potential across the different APP roles.
Nurse Practitioner Salaries
An NP’s ability to assess, diagnose, and treat conditions—often independently of physicians—has made them indispensable, especially in primary care settings. This growing responsibility is reflected in their salaries.
According to the BLS, the average annual NP salary in 2023 was $129,500. Specialized NPs, like those in urgent care or oncology, can earn even more. ZipRecruiter shows that an NP in California can make up to $195,000 a year, while in lower-paying areas like Tennessee, salaries may be closer to $103,000. Urgent care NPs earn some of the highest salaries, averaging $134,369 annually, and oncology NPs bring in around $130,300.
As of September 30, 2024, locum tenens nurse practitioners in the US earn an average annual salary of $130,295. That equates to approximately $62.64 per hour, $2,505 per week, or $10,857 monthly.
OnCall’s locum tenens NPs can earn even higher wages ranging from $80 to $125 per hour, or $153,920 to $240,500 annually. Check out our job board to see how much you can earn as an OnCall locum tenens NP.
Physician Assistant Salaries
Physician Assistants are also in high demand. They often work alongside physicians and NPs to diagnose and treat patients. Their earnings are similar to those of NPs but can vary greatly depending on their specialty and work setting.
In 2023, the BLS reported that the average PA salary was $130,000 annually. Specialties like cardiovascular surgery or dermatology typically offer higher compensation. A survey by the American Academy of Physician Associates highlighted some of the highest-paying specialties, including:
- Cardiovascular/thoracic surgery: $158,470
- Dermatology: $150,000
- Emergency medicine: $141,440
According to ZipRecruiter, locum tenens physician assistants earn an average of $58 per hour, or $120,212 annually, but the rate can vary based on several factors such as their specialty, location, experience level, and current demand for their services.
Similar to nurse practitioners, OnCall offers its locum tenens physician assistants an hourly rate of $80 to $125, or $153,920 to $240,500 per year. Browse OnCall’s PA jobs.
CRNA Salaries
CRNAs consistently rank as the highest earners among APPs. Their specialized skill in administering anesthesia during surgeries requires advanced expertise, which leads to higher pay.
According to the BLS, the average full-time CRNA salary was $212,700 per year in 2023, while locum tenens CRNAs typically make $150 to $200 per hour, or about $204,000 annually. As of October 2024, ZipRecruiter claims the average full-time locum CRNA wage in the US is $125 per hour or about $259,707 per year. Pay can vary, though, based on experience and location. For instance, CRNAs in California can earn up to $251,000, while those in Florida average far less at around $177,000.Â
At OnCall Solutions, locum tenens CRNAs can expect to earn $180 to $240 per hour or $346,320 to $461,779 annually. View CRNA jobs.
Key Factors Influencing APP Compensation
While demand plays a big role in APP salaries, other factors also affect how much they can earn. Let’s look at the most important ones:
1. Location
Where an APP practices plays a major role in determining their salary. States with higher living costs, like California or New York, generally offer higher compensation. Conversely, clinicians working in rural or underserved areas may also earn more due to the shortage of healthcare providers. Some states even offer incentives like loan repayment programs for clinicians willing to serve in underserved areas.
2. Specialty
Certain specialties command higher salaries due to the complexity and demand for those services. For example, CRNAs earn more than many other APPs because their role in administering anesthesia requires advanced training and high levels of responsibility. Similarly, PAs and NPs specializing in cardiology, emergency medicine, or oncology often see higher compensation than those working in general practice or family medicine.
3. Years of Experience
As with most professions, experience directly correlates with earning potential. Entry-level NPs and PAs may start at the lower end of the salary range, but they can expect their earnings to increase over time. CRNAs with more experience can see their salaries rise above $250,000 annually, particularly if they take on leadership roles or specialize in areas like pain management.
4. Type of Employer
APPs employed by large hospital systems typically receive higher salaries and better benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for continuing education. Those working in private practice may enjoy greater flexibility or profit-sharing arrangements, but the base salary might be lower.
Industry Trends Impacting APP Salaries
Several trends are shaping the compensation landscape for APPs, many of which point to continued growth in earning potential. Here are a few to keep an eye on:
Telemedicine: Expanding Opportunities
The rise of telemedicine, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has opened up new avenues for APPs. Clinicians can now provide care remotely, offering more flexibility in their work schedules and creating additional opportunities for higher earnings, particularly in states with limited access to healthcare services.
Increased Autonomy and Practice Scope
Many states are expanding the scope of practice for APPs, giving them greater independence in patient care. This shift is leading to higher wages as clinicians take on more responsibility. In turn, healthcare systems are increasingly turning to APPs to fill the gaps created by the physician shortage.
Trust OnCall Solutions for APP Opportunities
With the healthcare industry facing ongoing staffing shortages and an aging population that will need more care, the demand for APPs is expected to rise. The BLS projects that NP employment will grow by 40% over the next decade, with PA employment expected to rise by 28%. CRNAs, with their specialized skills, will continue to enjoy some of the highest salaries in the field.
Whether you’re looking for a permanent role, exploring moonlighting opportunities, or considering locum tenens positions, now is a great time to take advantage of these salary trends. At OnCall Solutions, we help APPs find opportunities that align with their career goals and maximize their earning potential. Beyond placement, we offer support with malpractice insurance, credentialing, and other HR tasks to ensure a smooth transition into your new role.
