Last Updated: May 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary 2026: How Much Do NPs Make?
Quick Answer
Nurse practitioners earn $126,000/year ($60.58/hr) nationally in 2026 — $37,000/year more than staff RNs. California NPs lead at $161,000/year. PMHNPs and ACNPs are the highest-paid specialties at $138,000–$145,000/year. CRNAs — a separate APRN credential — average $214,000/year.
Nurse practitioners are the fastest-growing segment of the healthcare workforce, with full practice authority in 27 states. NP salaries have grown steadily as the shortage of primary care providers expands NP scope and bargaining power. Here's the full 2026 picture.
NP Salary by Specialty (2026)
Specialty matters as much as state. Acute Care and Psychiatric NPs command a 10–15% premium over Family NPs, reflecting higher complexity of care and greater provider shortage in those areas.
Nurse Practitioner Salary by Specialty
| NP Specialty | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Acute Care NP (ACNP) | $145,000 | Hospital inpatient focus |
| Psychiatric NP (PMHNP) | $138,000 | Fastest salary growth |
| Neonatal NP (NNP) | $134,000 | NICU / Level III centers |
| Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) | $128,000 | L&D and women's health |
| Adult-Gerontology NP (AGNP) | $126,000 | Primary & acute care tracks |
| Family NP (FNP) | $122,000 | Most common NP specialty |
| Pediatric NP (PNP) | $120,000 | Outpatient and hospital |
| Women's Health NP (WHNP) | $118,000 | OB/GYN and primary care |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025 + NurseSalaryIntel 2026 data
NP Salary by State (2026)
States with full practice authority (no physician oversight requirement) tend to pay NPs more — independent practice means more patient panels, more billing, and stronger negotiating leverage. California, Washington, and Oregon all have full or reduced practice authority.
Nurse Practitioner Salary by State
| State | Avg Annual Salary | Avg Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| California | $161,000 | $77.40/hr |
| Washington | $148,000 | $71.15/hr |
| New Jersey | $145,000 | $69.71/hr |
| New York | $142,000 | $68.27/hr |
| Massachusetts | $138,000 | $66.35/hr |
| Oregon | $132,000 | $63.46/hr |
| National Average | $126,000 | $60.58/hr |
| Texas | $116,000 | $55.77/hr |
| Florida | $112,000 | $53.85/hr |
| Alabama | $105,000 | $50.48/hr |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025
NP vs. RN vs. CRNA: Full Career Ladder
Nursing Career Ladder — Credential Salary Comparison
| Credential | Avg Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| CNA | $38,200/yr | $18.37/hr |
| LPN/LVN | $55,000/yr | $26.44/hr |
| RN (BSN) | $86,000/yr | $41.35/hr |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $126,000/yr | $60.58/hr — +$40K vs RN |
| CRNA | $214,000/yr | $102.88/hr — highest APRN |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025 + NurseSalaryIntel 2026 data
Full Practice Authority and NP Pay
NPs in full practice authority (FPA) states earn 8–12% more on average than NPs in restricted practice states, because FPA allows independent clinic ownership, direct billing, and larger patient panels without required physician supervision hours. If you're choosing between job offers in different states, FPA status is a meaningful salary factor.
Related NP Salary Guides
FNP Salary 2026
Family Nurse Practitioner pay by state
PMHNP Salary 2026
Psychiatric NP — fastest salary growth
AGNP Salary 2026
Adult-Gerontology NP pay breakdown
CRNA Salary 2026
Highest-paid APRN at $214K/yr
📊 Data Methodology
Salary figures on this page are 2026 estimates derived from the most recent available U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, based on the May 2024 survey and published in March 2025. Estimated ranges may also incorporate publicly available 2025 job postings, hospital pay schedules, regional market conditions, and reported compensation trends.
Official 2026 OEWS wage data has not yet been released. All salary figures on this page should be treated as informational estimates rather than official government statistics or guaranteed compensation rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
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