Nurse Practitioner Salary Guide: Latest Data and Earning Potential
The average salary of a nurse practitioner (NP) is a key component when deciding what field you want to specialize in and deciding if becoming a nurse practitioner is right for you. Nurse practitioners are in high demand throughout the U.S., but salaries can vary depending on a few key factors. Understanding how much money you can make as a nurse practitioner will help you with financial planning and give you an estimate of when you can expect to pay off your student loans. In this guide, we discuss the average salary of a nurse practitioner and how to choose the specialty that’s right for you.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- How much do nurse practitioners make per year?
- Highest Employment Levels of Nurse Practitioners by State
- Industries with the Highest Employment for Nurse Practitioners
- How to Choose a Nurse Practitioner Specialty
- Requirements to Become a Nurse Practitioner
How much do nurse practitioners make per year?
The average annual nurse practitioner salary in 2025 was $137,300, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The job outlook for nurse practitioners is also positive. The BLS reports that the number of individuals employed as nurse practitioners is projected to grow 36 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. There are many factors that contribute to salaries for NPs, including experience, education, and location. Some nurse practitioner positions are also eligible for bonuses, which can be a substantial part of their overall compensation package.
States with the Highest Employment for Nurse Practitioners
Here are the states with the highest employment level in nurse practitioners, according to the most recent data available from the BLS:
| State | 2025 Employment for Nurse Practitioners |
| Texas | 25,970 |
| California | 25,120 |
| New York | 22,890 |
| Florida | 21,790 |
| Ohio | 15,400 |
Industries with the Highest Employment for Nurse Practitioners
Where you practice as a nurse practitioner matters as much as where you live. Physician offices employ the largest number of NPs; however, specialized facilities and outpatient settings often yield higher salaries. Here are five industries with the highest employment for nurse practitioners:
- Primary Care Offices: Employ the highest total volume of NPs; nurse practitioners have full practice authority in 28 states, but 12 states require physician supervision.
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: Provide robust benefits packages alongside competitive base wages.
- Outpatient Care Centers: Are among the highest-paying settings due to specialized procedural volume and extended care services.
- Offices of Other Health Practitioners: Include specialized group practices (such as physical therapy, podiatry, and mental health clinics) that offer high compensation to attract advanced practice providers.
- Home Health Care Services: Offer premium compensation and flexible care models as a rapidly growing sector, driven by an aging population requiring home-bound chronic care management.
How to Increase Your Nurse Practitioner Earning Potential
Increase your nurse practitioner earning potential with these strategies.
How to Choose a Nurse Practitioner Specialty
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a nurse practitioner specialty, but two of the most important considerations are patient population and work setting. Some NP specialties only work with specific types of patient populations, such as neonatal nurse practitioners who work with high-risk infants. Work setting is also a key factor when choosing an NP specialty. For example, emergency nurse practitioners work in emergency departments or urgent care centers. Before deciding which NP specialty to pursue, do your research and remember to look into licensure requirements for the different specialties.
Which nurse practitioner specialty you work in will also dictate your salary. Some specialties are known to be more lucrative than others. Generally speaking, some of the highest-paying NP specialties include Neonatal Nurse Practitioners, Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Acute Care Nurse Practitioners, and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners. When deciding which NP specialty to pursue, it’s important to do your research about the latest salary information. We recommend starting with general salary sites and looking specifically in your location to see the salary ranges for your NP specialty. You can also research by NP specialty to see what the most current salary ranges are–and which specialties are in the highest demand.
Wondering which NP specialty is right for you? Take our short quiz to see which one you match with!
Requirements to Become a Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a licensed nurse practitioner is a huge accomplishment that requires extensive training. The road to becoming an NP begins with completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to earn a nursing license. Prepare for the exam by taking realistic practice questions and enrolling in comprehensive NCLEX prep.
You’ll need to continue your education by earning an accredited graduate degree (Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice). Licensing requirements for NPs vary by state, but generally require completing an NP program and obtaining national NP certification. If you’re specializing, you must earn an additional credential. Lastly, you’ll have to apply to be a certified NP in your state, which can take 4 to 12 weeks to process.
Written by Kaplan experts, reviewed by Dr. Christi Doherty DNP, RNC-OB, CNE, CHSE, CDP. Dr. Doherty is the Executive Director of Nursing & i-Human Patients at Kaplan North America. She is a skilled researcher, valued professor of nursing, experienced clinical nurse, and designer of virtual simulations. Dr. Doherty has earned certifications in nursing education, healthcare simulation education, diversity, and inpatient obstetrics.
Nurse Practitioner Job Growth: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, Nurse Practitioners, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.
