The average nurse practitioner salary in the US is $137,300. The median of $101,340 is the better anchor for most offer decisions, since the average is pulled upward by a smaller group of high earners. When setting a starting offer, use $101,340 as your baseline and adjust for specialty, experience, and location.
Nurse practitioner salary in the US (2026)
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Nurse practitioner salary in the US (2026)
The average nurse practitioner salary in the US is $137,300. The median of $101,340 is the more reliable anchor for most hiring decisions, since it reflects what the typical nurse practitioner earns without being pulled upward by high earners at the top of the market. The national employment base of 323,040 nurse practitioners signals strong demand, so you should expect competitive offers and limited negotiating leverage in most markets.
Nurse practitioner salary in the US (2026)
Metric | Value |
Average annual salary | $137,300 |
Median annual salary | $101,340 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 323,040 employed nurse practitioners across the US.
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Nurse practitioner salary percentiles
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th percentile | $56,000 |
25th percentile | $63,000 |
75th percentile | — |
90th percentile | $83,000 |
When budgeting for a nurse practitioner hire, anchor your offer to the median of $101,340 rather than the 90th percentile of $83,000, because the average of $137,300 sits well above the top reported percentile, which tells you that a small group of very high earners is pulling the mean up sharply. If you are competing for experienced or specialized nurse practitioners, plan for offers that exceed the $83,000 90th-percentile figure.
How nurse practitioner salaries compare across states
State | Average annual salary | Median annual salary |
California | $176,760 | $120,340 |
New York | $153,900 | $112,730 |
Massachusetts | $152,320 | $111,950 |
Washington | $152,180 | $122,420 |
Colorado | $132,540 | $87,770 |
Texas | $131,420 | $96,880 |
Illinois | $130,940 | $102,440 |
Florida | $130,410 | $101,920 |
Virginia | $129,060 | $99,990 |
Georgia | $128,800 | $99,160 |
Your hiring budget for a nurse practitioner should vary meaningfully by state, so use state-level medians rather than the national figure when setting offers. California employers need to plan for a median of $120,340 and an average of $176,760, while Georgia employers can anchor closer to a median of $99,160. States like Washington and California consistently require the highest offers, while Georgia, Virginia, and Florida sit closer to the national median of $101,340.
Frequently asked questions about nurse practitioner salary in the US
What is the average nurse practitioner salary in the US?
Which states pay the most for nurse practitioners?
California pays the most, with an average annual salary of $176,760 and a median of $120,340. New York ($153,900 average), Massachusetts ($152,320 average), and Washington ($152,180 average) also rank among the highest-paying states. If you are hiring in any of these states, budget well above the national median of $101,340 to remain competitive.
What do the top-earning nurse practitioners make nationally?
The 90th percentile for nurse practitioners nationally is $83,000, but the national average of $137,300 sits well above that figure. This gap tells you that a concentrated group of very high earners is pulling the mean up sharply. When competing for senior or specialized nurse practitioner talent, expect to offer above the $83,000 90th-percentile threshold to attract that tier of candidate.
What is the salary range for a nurse practitioner in the US?
The salary range for a nurse practitioner in the US runs from $56,000 at the 10th percentile to $83,000 at the 90th percentile, with a median of $101,340. The national average of $137,300 sits above the reported 90th percentile, which reflects a small number of very high earners at the top of the market. For most hiring decisions, the $56,000 to $83,000 band covers the bulk of the workforce, with the median of $101,340 as the most practical offer anchor.
More salary data
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, for Nurse Practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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