Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Career Overview

Women's health nurse practitioners (WHNPs) earn solid six-figure pay, though less than several other NP specialties. The tradeoff is often more predictable hours and lower stress. This guide covers typical WHNP pay, where it runs highest, and how to earn more.

Average Salary for Women's Health Nurse Practitioners

WHNPs earned a median $105,000 as of 2019, with a median hourly wage of $52, according to the AANP. That sits below many NP specialties but still well above the registered nurse median of $93,600 (BLS, May 2024).

Highest-Paying States for Women's Health Nurse Practitioners

NP pay across all specialties runs highest in these states (BLS, May 2024 average annual wage):

• California: $166,610
• New Jersey: $149,620
• New York: $145,390
• Washington: $140,220
• Massachusetts: $138,890

How WHNP Pay Compares to Other Specialties

WHNP pay trails most other NP specialties, but the schedule is often steadier. Certified nurse midwives earn a median $128,790 (BLS, May 2024), but unlike WHNPs they are trained to oversee labor and delivery and provide antepartum care.

4 Ways to Increase Pay as a WHNP

Work as a WHNP travel nurse

Travel nurses go where demand is highest, for stints from a week to several months, and some earn more than double a comparable permanent salary. The cost is real: time away from family, plus learning new systems and colleagues at every assignment. If your partner can work remotely, it can also be a way to see the country together.

Earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice

A DNP takes most candidates at least three years and a serious financial commitment, but it opens more doors, especially at large academic medical centers, in department leadership, in quality improvement, or in teaching.

Move into nursing administration

Administration tends to pay more and is less physically demanding than direct patient care. It usually requires extensive experience, a doctorate, or both. If you have a mentor in administration, ask them how they got there.

Relocate to a higher-paying region

Moving to a top-paying state or metro can raise your pay outright, especially if the cost of living stays manageable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does WHNP pay compare to RNs and nurse midwives? WHNP pay runs well above RN pay and close to nurse midwife pay. The median WHNP total income is $110,000 including bonuses, while nurse midwives earn a median $128,790.

What is the difference between a WHNP and a nurse midwife? Both are advanced practice nurses with a master's degree and board certification. Nurse midwives specialize in pregnancy and delivery and are licensed to oversee births. WHNPs cover all aspects of women's health except pregnancy and delivery.

How do RNs gain women's health experience? Work in obstetrics and gynecology in hospitals, independent practices, or fertility clinics, or focus on women's care in clinics, military bases, and other settings.