Nurse practitioners play an essential role in healthcare, providing expert, compassionate care across specialties like family medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry.Â
Whether you’re just starting your career or you’re a seasoned pro, understanding your earning potential is vital in making confident, informed decisions about your future. From negotiating salaries to exploring flexible opportunities like moonlighting, knowing what NPs typically earn—and why—can help you shape a career that works for you.
In this guide, we’ve pulled together salary data from reliable sources like Salary.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, along with advice from OnCall Solutions’ staffing experts, to give you a clear picture of NP pay trends and share practical tips to help you maximize your earnings.
Current Trends in NP Compensation
The demand for nurse practitioners continues to grow, fueled by physician shortages and an aging population. This increased demand has resulted in higher salaries nationwide. Additionally, telemedicine has opened new doors, enabling nurse practitioners to deliver remote care while earning competitive compensation.Â
For those seeking flexibility and potentially higher earnings, roles in moonlighting and temporary positions often outpace the wages of traditional W-2 employment, depending on specialty and location. Let’s take a closer look at what nurse practitioners can earn.
Average Nurse Practitioner Salaries
Nurse practitioners have become essential to modern healthcare, providing expert care by assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients. Their pivotal role, especially in primary care, is evident in their strong earning potential, which recognizes their value. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse practitioners earn an average annual salary of $129,500.
 Specialized roles, such as those in urgent care or oncology, often command even higher wages, with some states also offering increased pay rates. For those seeking more flexibility, locum tenens nurse practitioner roles frequently provide salaries above the national average.
 At OnCall Solutions, locum tenens NPs have the potential to earn $80 to $125 per hour. Depending on the hours worked, this equates to annual earnings between $153,920 and $240,500. Explore our job board to discover high-paying opportunities and take control of your career.
Related Post: A Guide to Locum Tenens & Full-Time APP Salaries in 2024
Factors Influencing NP Salaries
Specialty
Specialization significantly impacts earning potential. For instance, cardiology nurse practitioners earn an average annual salary of $136,846, while psychiatric mental health NPs average $123,607 annually. In contrast, family nurse practitioners typically earn between $110,000 and $125,000 per year. ZipRecruiter claims critical care nurse practitioner salaries are as much as $41,904 (32.2%) more than the average NP salary of $130,295.
According to data from NursingProcess.org, the top five highest-paying NP specialties are:
| Specialty | Average Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiology Nurse Practitioner | $136,846 | $11,404 | $2,632 | $66 |
| Psychiatric Mental Health NP | $123,607 | $10,301 | $2,377 | $59 |
| Pediatric Psychiatric NP | $121,965 | $10,164 | $10,164 | $59 |
| Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $137,769 | $11,481 | $2,649 | $66 |
| Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | $120,000 | $10,000 | $2,308 | $58 |
Geographic Location
Salaries vary considerably across states. Nurse practitioners in California earn an average annual salary of $161,540, whereas those in Alabama earn around $110,020. Urban areas and states with higher living costs generally offer higher wages to offset expenses. Based on BLS data, the top five highest-paying states for NPs were:
| State | Average Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $161,540 | $13,460 | $3,107 | $78 |
| Nevada | $148,670 | $12,390 | $2,859 | $71 |
| Washington | $145,400 | $12,115 | $2,796 | $70 |
| New Jersey | $145,030 | $12,085 | $2,789 | $70 |
| Oregon | $144,950 | $12,080 | $2,788 | $70 |
ZipRecruiter states the top 10 highest-paying cities for nurse practitioners are:
| City | Average Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soledad, CA | $194,908 | $16,242 | $3,748 | $94 |
| San Mateo County, CA | $191,790 | $15,982 | $3,688 | $92 |
| Mineral, VA | $189,367 | $15,780 | $3,641 | $91 |
| Gonzales, CA | $188,235 | $15,686 | $3,619 | $91 |
| Ione, CA | $186,623 | $15,551 | $3,588 | $90 |
| Two Rivers, WI | $175,813 | $14,651 | $3,381 | $85 |
| FBI Academy, VA | $174,617 | $14,551 | $3,358 | $84 |
| Bumpass, VA | $174,403 | $14,533 | $3,353 | $84 |
| Scotts Valley, CA | $168,614 | $14,051 | $3,242 | $81 |
| Wasco, CA | $167,261 | $13,938 | $3,216 | $80 |
W-2 vs 1099 Nurse Practitioners
The nature of employment—whether as a W-2 employee or a 1099 independent contractor—affects compensation. W-2 employees receive benefits like health insurance and retirement plans, which may result in a lower base salary than 1099 contractors, who typically have higher hourly rates but are responsible for their own benefits and taxes.
The choice between W-2 employment and 1099 contracting has significant implications for compensation and benefits.
| Aspect | W-2 Employee | 1099 Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Withholding | Employer withholds taxes | Responsible for own tax payments |
| Benefits | Employer-provided (ie, health insurance, retirement plans) | Must secure personal benefits |
| Job Security | Generally more stable | Dependent on contract terms |
| Income Potential | Lower base salary due to benefits | Higher hourly rates to offset lack of benefits |
Source: NPHub
Experience and Credentials
Experience and additional certifications can also enhance the earning potential of nurse practitioners. For example, obtaining a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) credential can increase salary.
Nurse.org suggests the following salary variations based on years of experience:
| Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| < 1 Year | $99,000 | $8,250 | $1,904 | $48 |
| 1 - 4 years | $106,000 | $8,833 | $2,038 | $51 |
| 5 - 9 years | $112,000 | $9,333 | $2,154 | $54 |
| 10 - 19 years | $117,000 | $9,750 | $2,250 | $56 |
| > 20 years | $115,000 | $9,583 | $2,212 | $55 |
Maximizing Your Salary as an NP
As a nurse practitioner, your earning potential is shaped by various factors, from your chosen specialty to where you work and how you structure your career. With thoughtful planning and strategic decisions, you can take control of your compensation and achieve both professional satisfaction and financial rewards.Â
Here are some actionable steps to help you maximize your salary and build a career that aligns with your goals.
- Choose a High-Demand Specialty: Specializing in areas like cardiology, urgent care, or psychiatry can lead to higher salaries.
- Pursue Additional Certifications: Credentials such as PMHNP can make you more competitive and justify higher compensation.
- Consider Geographic Mobility: Relocating to higher-paying regions can increase earnings, though the cost of living must be considered.
- Explore Flexible Roles: Engaging in locum tenens or moonlighting positions can supplement income and provide diverse experiences.
The OnCall Solutions team of recruiters connects NPs like you with roles that align with your expertise and career goals, offering support in resume reviews and contract negotiations.
Whether you’re seeking locum tenens assignments, moonlighting opportunities, or permanent positions, we’re here to help you find the perfect fit.
