Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Salary Guide

Pediatric nurse practitioners appear to earn a significantly higher income than registered nurses in the US. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the average nurse salary in 2022 was $81,220, or $39.05/hr.  The average nurse practitioner's salary is $125,900, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2022. Unfortunately, the BLS does not differentiate between the different types of NPs. 

Salary.com reports that pediatric nurse practitioners in the US earn a median average of $117,600 annually, but the range typically falls between $109,800 and $123,400.

According to ZipRecruiter, most pediatric NPs earn between $47,000 and $187,000. This range depends on factors such as work location and whether the NP works full-time or part-time.

Zip Recruiter also reported that median annual pediatric NP salaries could also vary depending on the patient population type:

• Pediatric primary care nurse practitioners: $125,190/annually or $60/hr
• Pediatric acute care nurse practitioners: $131,543/annually or $63/hr

Source: Zippia 

With more experience, pediatric nurse practitioners increase their earning potential yearly. New graduate pediatric NPs generally start their careers at the lower end of the salary spectrum and work to a higher salary over time.

While no estimates break down pediatric NP salaries by years of experience, it is safe to say that pediatric nurse salary averages will continue to rise alongside years of service in the profession.

Salary.com reports that pediatric NP income could range from $102,699 (lowest 10%) to $128,681 (the highest 10%). 

Pediatric nurses with the most years of experience can earn closer to $123,599 or more, while those with little or no experience will start by earning closer to $98,763 or less.

Pediatric NPs work in a variety of settings:

• Hospitals
• Pediatric doctor's offices
• Community health clinics
• Surgical centers
• Specialty clinics
• Schools
• Urgent care clinics

Pediatric NPs are most commonly found working in a hospital setting, where they provide children’s health care for complex, critical, and chronic health concerns. In the hospital, you can find pediatric nurses working in many areas:

• Pediatric acute care unit 
• Emergency room (ER)
• Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU)
• Pediatric oncology units

Pediatric NP salaries may vary widely depending on several important factors, such as:

• Workplace setting
• Benefits
• Overtime opportunities
• Shift differential pay
• Years of service

Pediatric nurse practitioners who make the highest salaries often work in the hospital or surgery center setting. Pediatric NPs who work in a school setting usually earn the least amount in all work settings. 

Salary is also very dependent on the location where you live. Pediatric NPs who work in cities with a higher cost of living usually earn higher incomes.

There are many ways to increase your salary as a pediatric nurse. To maximize your earning potential, you may want to consider the following:

Increase Your Education

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

Become a Travel NP

You may have thought that travel nursing excludes nurse practitioners, but that is 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 also offer a higher income for pediatric NPs as well. Learn more about travel nurse practitioner salaries. 

Become a Career Nurse Practitioner

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

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

Become a Per Diem NP

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

One of the main benefits of working per diem as a pediatric nurse practitioner includes choosing your own 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 must receive overtime pay equal to one-and-one-half times their regular rate of pay 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 pediatric 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

Pediatric NPs may have an opportunity to earn more income without increasing the number of hours they work. A shift differential means making increased 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.” 

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many nursing professionals received hazard pay for working in more conditions that put them in mentally and physically hazardous positions.

CPNP-PC Certification

Pediatric NP graduates must apply for and take an exam to earn certification as a  Primary Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-PC). This exam is for pediatric nurse practitioners who have graduated from a master's or DNP degree program. NP graduates must sit for a certification exam to be licensed and practice.

Salary vs. Education - Is it Worth It?

In-person and online pediatric nurse practitioner programs are considerable investments in both money and time. Not only must you complete schooling to become a registered nurse to then become a pediatric NP, but you will also need to attend graduate school for at least two to four years. 

However, many pediatric NPs see the career as a calling and find that the cost of their education is well worth the time and money to attain it. 

Cost to Become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The average cost to become a pediatric NP depends on where you go to school and whether you want to pursue an MSN or a DNP.

Pediatric MSN programs take a minimum of two years to complete if attending full-time and longer if completing the program part-time. Program costs can range anywhere from $25,000 to $80,000 or more

DNP programs take a minimum of four years to complete and may take up to six years if completing the degree on a part-time basis. A pediatric NP degree can cost anywhere from $35,000 to over $160,000.

It is not uncommon for pediatric NP students to attend their graduate programs part-time so they can continue to work throughout their programs. This may also help them pay for their tuition as they complete their degree.

Tuition cost depends on several other factors:

• The state and city where you live
• The school's reputation and status
• The type of degree
• The cost of tuition per credit
• The program length 

There are also additional costs associated with pediatric NP school:

• Textbooks
• Computer
• Supplies
• Lab fees
• Other miscellaneous school fees

Pediatric NP Salary vs. Education Costs

Although paying for the education required to become a pediatric NP may seem outrageous at first, the increased take-home pay is worth it for most students. 

The BLS reports that nurses in the US earned a median income of $81,220 annually or $39.05/hr in 2022. 

In contrast, Salary.com says that MSN or DNP-trained pediatric NPs in the US earn a median average of $117,600 annually. According to ZipRecruiter, the highest pediatric NP income earners take home as much as $187,000!

Family Nurse Practitioner

ZipRecruiter reports that annual median salaries for family nurse practitioners in 2022 are as high as $197,000 and as low as $40,000. However, most family NP salaries typically range between $97,000 and $139,499. The top 10% of earners in the US take home about $140,500 annually.

Pediatric Nurse

The 2022 Median annual pay for pediatric RNs in the US, according to ZipRecruiter, is about $86,214 annually. Most pediatric RN salaries currently range between $61,000 and $92,500. The top 10% of earners make about $153,999 annually.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

ZipRecruiter also reports that the average annual pay for a neonatal NP is $125,877 a year. Most neonatal NP salaries fall between $109,000 and $143,499. However, the top 10% of earners make $140,000 annually across the United States.

• What is the highest a pediatric nurse practitioner can earn?

  • According to ZipRecruiter, most pediatric NPs in the US earn as much as $187,000 annually. However, income levels depend on various factors such as work location, years of experience, and whether the NP works full-time or part-time. 

• Which nurse practitioner specialty is the highest paid?

  • All NP specialties earn significantly more than registered nurses. However, according to Indeed, the highest-paid NP specialty in 2022 is psychiatric nurse practitioners, earning a median salary of $142,249 annually.  

• What is the lowest-paid nurse practitioner?

  • Salary.com reports that women’s health nurse practitioners earn a median average of $115,999 annually. However, according to Payscale, women’s health NPs in the US earn a median annual income of $100,731 as of 2022. 

• What state pays pediatric nurse practitioners the most?

  • According to Zippa, Alaska is the best state for pediatric NPs in terms of income. They report that the average annual salary is $127,157, and the higher 10% of earners bring home $208,000 or more.