Nurse Practitioner Salaries by State

4 Min Read Published May 14, 2025
Nurse Practitioner Salary by State | Nurse.org
Nurse Practitioner Salary by State | Nurse.org

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) earn an average annual salary of $129,210 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But how much they make is really dependent on the state they work in. This article will show you the average nurse practitioner salary by state, and tell you how you can earn the highest possible salary no matter what state you work in. 

Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs

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Grand Canyon University

GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Chamberlain University

Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Walden University

Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.

Western Governors University

WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Join a trusted, accredited online university to accelerate your nursing career on your schedule. Scholarships and financial aid are available. 

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

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Nurse Practitioner Salaries by State

State NP Salary
Alabama $109,650
Alaska $142,340
Arizona $132,920
Arkansas $116,030
California $173,190
Connecticut $141,140
Delaware $130,190
District of Columbia $137,600
Florida $128,340
Georgia $125,490
Hawaii $135,020
Idaho $131,380
Illinois $128,880
Indiana $126,520
Iowa $133,020
Kansas $127,900
Kentucky $116,930
Louisiana $124,850
Maine $127,750
Maryland $127,100
Massachusetts $145,140
Michigan $127,200
Minnesota $128,120
Mississippi $122,930
Missouri $124,600
Montana $131,560
Nebraska $127,950
Nevada (8) -
New Hampshire $133,660
New Jersey $140,470
New Mexico $136,620
New York $148,410
North Carolina $124,830
North Dakota $121,200
Ohio $121,250
Oklahoma $127,120
Oregon $148,030
Pennsylvania $126,730
Rhode Island $139,600
South Carolina $113,950
South Dakota $122,300
Tennessee $108,180
Texas $130,930
Utah $131,680
Vermont $130,580
Virginia $122,180
Washington $143,620
West Virginia $122,140
Wisconsin $130,490
Wyoming $126,060

Source: BLS 2024 Report

Highest-Paying States for Nurse Practitioners

If you want to make the most money as a nurse practitioner, these are the states you’ll want to work in. Keep in mind that often, the highest-paying states also come with a higher cost of living. 

  1. California - $173,190 per year
  2. New York - $148,410
  3. Oregon - $148,030
  4. Massachusetts - $145,140
  5. Washington - $143,620

Source: BLS

Lowest-Paying States for Nurse Practitioners

Even in the lowest-paying states, with the exception of Puerto Rico, NPs can still make close to, or above, six figures. The five lowest-paying states for NPs are:

  1. Tennessee - $108,180
  2. Alabama - $109,650
  3. South Carolina - $113,950
  4. Arkansas - $116,030
  5. Kentucky - $116,930

Source: BLS

Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs

Sponsored
Grand Canyon University

GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Chamberlain University

Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Walden University

Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.

Western Governors University

WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Join a trusted, accredited online university to accelerate your nursing career on your schedule. Scholarships and financial aid are available. 

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Factors That Impact Nurse Practitioner Salaries

Many things can impact your salary as a nurse practitioner, like years of experience, the company you work for, or your NP specialty. But the most significant factor is location.

Southern states such as Florida, Georgia, and Alabama pay much less than West Coast and New England states. In some cases, the difference is over $40,000.

But there are a lot of ways to increase your salary, especially in states with below-average NP salaries. 

Increase Your Education

Education level matters when it comes to earning a higher salary. Nurse practitioners with a doctorate often make more than those with a master’s degree.

>> Show Me DNP Programs

Become a Travel NP

You may have thought that travel nursing excludes nurse practitioners, but that’s not true! Not only is travel nursing a great way to explore different parts of the country and offer rich learning experiences, but it can offer a higher income for NPs as well. 

Career Nurse Practitioners

Career NPs are full or part-time staff employed by a facility and typically earn a higher per-hour rate for each year they work. Career NPs usually also have a generous benefits package which may include:

  • Retirement benefits
  • Health insurance
  • Paid vacation
  • Professional liability insurance 
  • Retirement planning 
  • Reimbursement for licensure renewal and certification

Per Diem NPs

Per diem NPs usually earn a higher per-hour rate for their work flexibility. However, most facilities that employ per diem NPs typically don’t offer any additional benefits, and if they do, they include much less than career nurses receive.

One of the main benefits of working per diem as a nurse practitioner includes choosing your work schedule. This may work well for per diem NPs who also work at another hospital. 

Overtime

Nurses who work overtime are entitled to increased pay for their additional work hours. In most cases, this means working over 40 hours a week. 

The Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires that all “non-exempt” employees receive overtime pay equal to one-and-one-half times their regular pay rate for every hour over 40 hours worked during a work week. This usually includes career NPs who are not working on a per diem or contract basis.

Bonuses

Most NPs do not receive bonuses. However, some facilities may offer a sign-on bonus as an incentive to take a position at a new facility. Bonuses may range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

Shift Differential

NPs may have an opportunity to earn more income without increasing the number of hours they work. A shift differential means making more per-hour pay for working nights, weekends, or holidays.

Hazard Pay

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, hazard pay means “additional pay for performing hazardous duty or work involving physical hardship.” It may also include work duty that causes “extreme physical discomfort and distress.” 

Some areas are suffering from lack of practitioners and with an increasing number of hospitalized patients, may still be able to receive hazard pay. 

Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs

Sponsored
Grand Canyon University

GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Chamberlain University

Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Walden University

Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.

Western Governors University

WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Join a trusted, accredited online university to accelerate your nursing career on your schedule. Scholarships and financial aid are available. 

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

FAQs 

  • What state has the highest NP salary?

    • According to the BLS, Nurse Practitioners in California earn the highest salary. Their average salary is $173,190 per year. 
  • What type of NP gets paid the most?

    • According to Payscale.com, psychiatric NPs have the highest average annual salary of $123,004 per year. 
  • Do nurse practitioners make 6 figures?

    • Yes! According to the BLS, NPs make 6 figures in every state. In fact, the national average for NPs is $129,210 per year per the BLS. 
NP
Kathleen Gaines
MSN, RN, BA, CBC
Kathleen Gaines
News and Education Editor

Kathleen Gaines (nee Colduvell) is a nationally published writer turned Pediatric ICU nurse from Philadelphia with over 13 years of ICU experience. She has an extensive ICU background having formerly worked in the CICU and NICU at several major hospitals in the Philadelphia region. After earning her MSN in Education from Loyola University of New Orleans, she currently also teaches for several prominent Universities making sure the next generation is ready for the bedside. As a certified breastfeeding counselor and trauma certified nurse, she is always ready for the next nursing challenge.

Education:
MSN Nursing Education - Loyola University New Orleans
BSN - Villanova University
BA- University  of Mary Washington

Expertise:
Pediatric Nursing, Neonatal Nursing, Nursing Education, Women’s Health, Intensive Care, Nurse Journalism, Cardiac Nursing 

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