Nurse Practitioner Salary.
Across 83 U.S. cities.
$120,000
national median salary
$105,000 to $142,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$169,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$125,000
Arlington, VA
Lowest Paying
$96,000
Charleston, WV
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average Nurse Practitioner salary in the United States is $120,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $105,000 at the 25th percentile to $142,000 at the 75th. San Jose pays the most at $169,000, while Arlington offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Specialty area is the dominant pay lever, with psychiatric and acute care NPs earning 15 to 25% above family practice.
Nurse Practitioner salary by city
Skills that increase Nurse Practitioner pay
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Nurse Practitioners based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $16,800 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$16,800 per year
≈ +$15,600 per year
≈ +$14,400 per year
≈ +$13,200 per year
≈ +$13,200 per year
≈ +$12,000 per year
≈ +$12,000 per year
≈ +$10,800 per year
What you should know
Specialty area is the dominant pay lever, with psychiatric and acute care NPs earning 15 to 25% above family practice. States granting full practice authority pay more due to independent billing. Years of experience and certifications like ACNP or PMHNP also drive meaningful increases.
New graduate NPs start around $100,000 to $110,000. With five to seven years of specialty experience, compensation reaches $125,000 to $140,000. Lead NPs or those in director-level clinical roles can earn $150,000 to $170,000, especially in high-demand specialties.
Many NPs receive signing bonuses of $5,000 to $15,000, CME stipends, malpractice coverage, and retirement contributions. Hospital-employed NPs may also receive shift differentials and productivity bonuses tied to patient volume.