The full range runs from $101,340 at the 10th percentile to $174,420 at the 90th percentile. For most hiring decisions, the practical range to benchmark against is $117,990 to $156,700, which covers the 25th through 75th percentiles. Offers outside that band will either leave you uncompetitive or significantly above market for the role.
Nurse practitioner salary in the US (2026)
The average nurse practitioner salary in the US is $137,300. The median of $132,300 sits below the average and gives you a more reliable anchor for setting offers, since it reflects what most nurse practitioners actually earn rather than being pulled upward by high earners at the top of the range. California and a handful of other states pay well above the national figures, so your budget will need to account for significant geographic variation when you compete for talent.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Average annual salary | $137,300 |
Median annual salary | $132,300 |
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 | $101,340 |
25th percentile | $117,990 |
75th percentile | $156,700 |
90th percentile | $174,420 |
If you want to attract experienced nurse practitioners without overpaying entry-level candidates, anchoring offers between $117,990 and $156,700 covers the middle of the market. The top 10% earn $174,420, so budget accordingly when recruiting senior or specialized talent.
How nurse practitioner salaries compare across states
State | Average annual salary | Median annual salary |
California | $176,760 | $168,520 |
New York | $153,900 | $153,510 |
Massachusetts | $152,320 | $142,440 |
Washington | $152,180 | $156,100 |
Colorado | $132,540 | $132,930 |
Texas | $131,420 | $131,670 |
Illinois | $130,940 | $130,680 |
Florida | $130,410 | $129,510 |
Virginia | $129,060 | $127,810 |
Georgia | $128,800 | $129,430 |
Where you hire will have a larger impact on your compensation budget than almost any other factor, so build separate salary bands for each state rather than relying on a single national figure. California commands the highest pay at $176,760 average, while Georgia sits at the lower end of this group at $128,800 average. States like Texas, Illinois, and Florida cluster close to the national median of $132,300, making them more budget-friendly markets for nurse practitioner hiring.
Frequently asked questions about nurse practitioner salary in the US
What is the salary range for a nurse practitioner in the US?
What is the average nurse practitioner salary in the US?
The average nurse practitioner salary nationally is $137,300, though the median of $132,300 is the more useful figure for setting offers. The gap between the two tells you that a smaller group of high earners pulls the average upward. Use $132,300 as your baseline and adjust from there based on experience and location.
What do the top-earning nurse practitioners make nationally?
Nurse practitioners at the 90th percentile earn $174,420 per year. If you are recruiting senior or highly specialized talent, plan for offers in that range or above to stay competitive. The 75th percentile sits at $156,700, which is a useful ceiling for strong mid-career candidates who are not yet at the top of the market.
Which states pay the most for nurse practitioners?
California pays the most, with an average annual salary of $176,760 and a median of $168,520. New York, Massachusetts, and Washington all follow closely, with averages between $152,180 and $153,900. If you are hiring in any of these states, budget well above the national average of $137,300 to remain competitive.
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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The Rippling Team
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Jul 7, 2026
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3 min
Nurse practitioner salary in California (2026)
California nurse practitioners earn an average of $176,760 per year. See salary percentiles, city breakdowns, and state comparisons to budget your next hire.
Jul 7, 2026
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3 min
Nurse practitioner salary in Texas (2026)
Nurse practitioner salaries in Texas average $131,420 per year. See pay by city, percentile, and how Texas compares to other states.
Jul 7, 2026
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3 min
Nurse practitioner salary in Florida (2026)
Florida nurse practitioners earn $129,510 median annually. Compare salaries by city, percentile, and state to build competitive compensation offers.
Jul 7, 2026
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Nurse practitioner salary in New York (2026)
Nurse practitioner salaries in New York average $153,900 per year. Compare pay by city, percentile, and state to set competitive offers.
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Nurse practitioner salary in Oregon (2026)
Oregon nurse practitioners earn $155,780 on average — 13.5% above the national mean. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how Oregon compares to nearby states.
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Nurse practitioner salary in Arizona (2026)
Nurse practitioner salaries in Arizona range from $104,400 to $173,270. See median pay, city breakdowns, and how Arizona compares to neighboring states.
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Nurse practitioner salary in Massachusetts (2026)
Nurse practitioner salaries in Massachusetts average $152,320 — 10.9% above the national mean. See pay by city, percentile, and neighboring states.
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Nurse practitioner salary in New Jersey (2026)
Nurse practitioner salaries in New Jersey average $155,750 — 13.4% above the national mean. See pay by percentile, city, and how NJ compares to nearby states.
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