Key points
- The national median NP wage is $129,210 (BLS, May 2024); the May 2023 mean was about $128,490.
- Pay swings hard by state, from roughly $103,720 in Tennessee to $161,540 in California.
- California, Washington, and New Jersey lead the top-paying states at $161,540, $145,400, and $145,030.
- Outpatient care centers are among the best-paying settings, averaging $139,860.
What NPs earn
The BLS reports a national median NP wage of $129,210 as of May 2024, third among nursing specialties behind nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives. The state and industry figures below come from the May 2023 geographic release, the most recent full breakdown. Actual pay depends heavily on where you work and the setting you work in.
NP salary by state
State pay reflects regional demand, cost of living, and local healthcare policy.
- California leads at $161,540.
- Nevada ($148,670), Washington ($145,400), and New Jersey ($145,030) round out the top tier, making the West Coast and parts of the Northeast the strongest markets for NP earnings.
- Oregon ($144,950), Massachusetts ($144,010), and New York ($142,830) also clear the national mean on the back of strong healthcare infrastructure and demand for advanced practice providers.
- Minnesota ($135,010), New Hampshire ($130,740), Maryland ($127,990), and Utah ($127,820) balance solid pay against more moderate living costs.
- The low end runs from Guam at $88,570 up through Tennessee ($103,720) and Alabama ($110,020), markets with smaller healthcare footprints and lower living costs.
The pattern holds across the board: high-paying states like California and New Jersey carry high living costs, while lower-wage states like Tennessee and Alabama come with cheaper housing and goods. The South mixes high employment (Florida, Texas) with relatively lower pay (Tennessee, Alabama).
Where NPs earn the most by industry
Setting drives real differences in NP pay. From BLS data as of May 2023:
- Offices of physicians employ the most NPs, at 4.82 percent of the industry's total employment, and pay an average of $122,780.
- General medical and surgical hospitals rank second in employment and pay more, at $135,610.
- Home health care services employ fewer NPs but pay $146,850.
- Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals pay $141,260.
- Residential intellectual and developmental disability facilities pay $158,140, reflecting the demand for specialized care.
- Business support services is the highest-paying industry at $180,570, though the openings are few.
The takeaway: physician offices have the volume of jobs, but the specialized and home-based settings pay the premiums.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a nurse practitioner make? The BLS reports a national median NP wage of $129,210 as of May 2024. Pay varies widely by state and setting, from roughly $103,720 in Tennessee to $161,540 in California (BLS May 2023 geographic data).
Which states pay nurse practitioners the most? California leads at a mean of $161,540, followed by Nevada ($148,670), Washington ($145,400), and New Jersey ($145,030). The West Coast and parts of the Northeast are the strongest markets for NP earnings (BLS, May 2023).
Do nurse practitioners earn more than registered nurses? Yes, by a wide margin. The NP median was $129,210 in May 2024 against an RN median of $93,600, reflecting the master's degree, prescribing authority, and expanded scope NPs carry.
Which work settings pay nurse practitioners the most? Among common settings, home health care services ($146,850), psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals ($141,260), and general medical and surgical hospitals ($135,610) pay more than physicians' offices ($122,780), which employ the most NPs (BLS, May 2023).
Is nurse practitioner demand growing? Strongly. The BLS projects 40% growth for nurse practitioners from 2024 to 2034, the fastest among the advanced practice nursing roles and far above the average for all occupations.
Does state practice authority affect NP pay? It can. States that grant full practice authority let NPs work independently, which often widens job options and earning potential. Confirm the rules for your state with its board of nursing.