SOC 291171

Nurse Practitioners

Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

National Median

$129,210

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$129,210

Entry Level (10th pct)

$97,960

Experienced (90th pct)

$169,950

Total Employed

307,390

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$97,960 - $109,940
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$109,940 - $149,570
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$149,570 - $169,950

Highest Paying Locations for Nurse Practitioners

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$225,730

+74.7% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$220,330

+70.5% vs national

Napa, CA

$216,380

+67.5% vs national

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

$171,150

+32.5% vs national

Vallejo, CA

$169,990

+31.6% vs national

Nurse Practitioners Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$225,730	1,280
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$220,330	2,960
Napa, CA	$216,380	90
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$171,150	210
Vallejo, CA	$169,990	190
Salinas, CA	$168,270	140
California	$166,610	20,980
El Centro, CA	$166,090	50
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$165,460	360
Modesto, CA	$164,790	390
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$164,630	200
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$164,520	1,200
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$164,510	6,400
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$162,470	1,630
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$162,030	2,790
Fresno, CA	$161,550	640
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$161,520	120
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$161,010	230
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$160,790	60
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$159,930	2,400
Chico, CA	$159,400	130
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$159,090	180
Hanford-Corcoran, CA	$158,400	70
Yuba City, CA	$158,280	50
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$156,840	150
Visalia, CA	$156,740	270
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$155,440	270
Redding, CA	$154,370	120
Merced, CA	$153,100	150
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$152,790	19,850
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$151,890	1,310
Salem, OR	$149,630	270
New Jersey	$149,620	9,590
Bellingham, WA	$149,560	90
Medford, OR	$148,950	180
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$148,910	170
Bend, OR	$146,770	170
Alaska	$145,450	570
New York	$145,390	20,430
Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area	$145,350	140
Anchorage, AK	$145,140	350
Oregon	$144,600	2,430
Santa Fe, NM	$144,400	160
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$144,350	130
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$144,240	120
Worcester, MA	$144,200	1,000
Springfield, MA	$144,050	470
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	$143,670	820
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$142,940	2,850
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$142,200	450

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Nurse Practitioners?

The national median annual salary for Nurse Practitioners is $129,210, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Nurse Practitionerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Nurse Practitionerss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $225,730.

How much can an experienced Nurse Practitioners make?

Top-earning Nurse Practitionerss (90th percentile) make $169,950 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.