Nurse Practitioner Salary in 2026
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Make?
Nurse Practitioners earn a median annual salary of $129,210 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $97,960 at the 10th percentile to $169,950 at the 90th percentile — a range of $71,990. The highest-paying state is California at $166,610.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $97,960 |
| 25th percentile | $109,940 |
| Median (50th) | $129,210 |
| 75th percentile | $149,570 |
| 90th percentile | $169,950 |
Nurse Practitioner Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $166,610 |
| New Jersey | $149,620 |
| Alaska | $145,450 |
| New York | $145,390 |
| Oregon | $144,600 |
| Washington | $140,220 |
| Connecticut | $138,960 |
| Massachusetts | $138,890 |
| New Mexico | $138,440 |
| Arizona | $133,790 |
| Montana | $133,640 |
| New Hampshire | $132,440 |
| District of Columbia | $131,380 |
| Hawaii | $130,940 |
| Rhode Island | $130,710 |
| Texas | $129,880 |
| Colorado | $129,750 |
| Vermont | $129,740 |
| Iowa | $129,420 |
| Florida | $129,010 |
| Idaho | $128,940 |
| Illinois | $128,620 |
| Wisconsin | $128,580 |
| Minnesota | $128,570 |
| Indiana | $128,280 |
| Nebraska | $127,930 |
| Delaware | $127,810 |
| Wyoming | $127,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $127,400 |
| Ohio | $126,740 |
| Oklahoma | $126,670 |
| Missouri | $126,370 |
| Georgia | $126,060 |
| Louisiana | $125,980 |
| Utah | $125,700 |
| Michigan | $125,620 |
| Maryland | $125,530 |
| Maine | $125,040 |
| North Carolina | $125,020 |
| Kansas | $124,690 |
| Virginia | $124,210 |
| North Dakota | $123,220 |
| South Dakota | $122,600 |
| West Virginia | $121,640 |
| Mississippi | $119,290 |
| South Carolina | $116,240 |
| Kentucky | $113,870 |
| Arkansas | $113,660 |
| Tennessee | $108,420 |
| Alabama | $106,930 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Nurse Practitioners
Nurse Practitioner Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$97,960 – $109,940 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$129,210 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$149,570 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $169,950+ |
How to Earn More as a Nurse Practitioner
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Nurse Practitioners in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $225,730 — $96,520 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($149,570) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Nurse Practitioner Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitionerthis career | $129,210 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,260 |
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 |
| Acute Care Nurse | $93,600 |
| Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse | $93,600 |
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SOC: 29-1171.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.