Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses earn a median of $97,550 per year ($46.90/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 5.6% through 2035, with about 180,800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 29-1141
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse in four numbers
- Median pay
- $97,550a year, or $46.90/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $69KTop 10% $137K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.6%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 180,8003,465,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20253.5M
- Projected 20353.7M
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 3.5M Projected 2035 3.7M - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Master's87%
- Professional degree4.4%
- Doctorate8.7%
Highest education held by advanced practice psychiatric nurses Segment Value Master's 87% Professional degree 4.4% Doctorate 8.7%
Also advertised as: Adult Psychiatric Mental Health APRN (Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse), Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse, APN (Advanced Practice Nurse), Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (BC PMH-CNS), PMHNP (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner), Psychiatric APN (Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse).
Pay
How much do advanced practice psychiatric nurses make?
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses earn a median of $97,550 a year ($46.90 an hour, or about $8,130 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $68,940 and the top 10% more than $137,470 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is California, with a median of $140,270. See Advanced practice psychiatric nurse salary in California and every other state. By city, pay is highest around San Jose ($194,960 average): salary in every city.
Every advanced practice psychiatric nurse in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$97,550
Middle half earn $80,330 to $112,350
- 10th
- $68,940
- 25th
- $80,330
- 75th
- $112,350
- 90th
- $137,470
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $68,940 |
| 25th | $80,330 |
| Median | $97,550 |
| 75th | $112,350 |
| 90th | $137,470 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $97,550
- Median hourly wage
- $46.90/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $101,420
- People employed
- 3,379,720
Versus all US occupations
At $97,550, Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses earn 91% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $46,570 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760, this is 5% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $137,470 or more while the bottom 10% earn $68,940, a gap of 2.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 70% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
California pays the most at $140,270, and still leads at $126,689 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay advanced practice psychiatric nurses the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $140,270 | $126,689 | 338,940 |
| 2Hawaii | $136,320 | $123,983 | 12,940 |
| 3Oregon | $129,010 | $124,815 | 39,730 |
| 4Washington | $124,200 | $116,061 | 69,260 |
| 5Alaska | $109,480 | $106,957 | 7,510 |
| 6New York | $109,440 | $101,408 | 205,810 |
| 7New Jersey | $106,500 | $97,882 | 92,680 |
| 8Massachusetts | $104,550 | $98,859 | 88,200 |
| 9Nevada | $103,670 | $103,692 | 27,070 |
| 10Connecticut | $102,740 | $99,160 | 40,110 |
Job outlook
Is advanced practice psychiatric nurse a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.6% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses | +5.6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses to change 5.6% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 194,700 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 180,800 openings are projected each year, 5.2% of the 3,465,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for healthcare services is projected to increase because of the large number of older people, who typically have more medical problems than younger people. Registered nurses are expected to also be needed to educate and care for patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.
Job growth is expected across most types of healthcare settings, including hospitals and outpatient care centers that provide same-day services, such as chemotherapy, rehabilitation, and surgery. In addition, because many older people prefer to be treated at home, registered nurses will likely continue to be in demand in home healthcare settings.
AI exposure: high
BLS places this occupation in its high relative AI exposure category, above the middle of the pack: a substantial share of the work overlaps with what AI can do.
Getting in
How to become an advanced practice psychiatric nurse
Registered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must be licensed.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Extensive preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as advanced practice psychiatric nurses.
- Master's Degree87%
- Doctoral Degree8.7%
- First Professional Degree4.4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | 87% |
| Doctoral Degree | 8.7% |
| First Professional Degree | 4.4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an advanced practice psychiatric nurse do?
Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families.
Day-to-day tasks
- Assess patients' mental and physical status, based on the presenting symptoms and complaints.
- Diagnose psychiatric disorders and mental health conditions.
- Document patients' medical and psychological histories, physical assessment results, diagnoses, treatment plans, prescriptions, or outcomes.
- Educate patients and family members about mental health and medical conditions, preventive health measures, medications, or treatment plans.
- Monitor patients' medication usage and results.
- Evaluate patients' behavior to formulate diagnoses or assess treatments.
- Distinguish between physiologically- and psychologically-based disorders, and diagnose appropriately.
- Develop and implement treatment plans.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Fatal injury rate: 0.4 per 100,000 workers (0.1x the 3.3 average)
BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2024: 13 deaths that year.
Nurses who work in hospitals and nursing care facilities usually work in shifts to provide round-the-clock coverage. They may work nights, weekends, and holidays. They may be on call, which means that they are on duty and must be available to work on short notice.
Nurses who work in offices, schools, and other places that do not provide 24-hour care are more likely to work regular business hours.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where advanced practice psychiatric nurses work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Hospitals; state, local, and private59%
- Ambulatory healthcare services19%
- Nursing and residential care facilities6%
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals5%
- Educational services; state, local, and private3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 59% |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | 19% |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 6% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 5% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening4.4
- Speaking4.1
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Writing4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Monitoring4.0
- Active Learning3.9
- Learning Strategies3.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.4 |
| Speaking | 4.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Monitoring | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness4.3
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0
- Time Management4.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Coordination3.8
- Instructing3.8
- Service Orientation3.8
- Persuasion3.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.0 |
| Time Management | 4.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 |
| Coordination | 3.8 |
| Instructing | 3.8 |
| Service Orientation | 3.8 |
| Persuasion | 3.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Internet browser software
- Medical software
- Video conferencing software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as an advanced practice psychiatric nurse?
Women make up 87.3% of advanced practice psychiatric nurses, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation.
21.4% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 42.3 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 87.3%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 42.3All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 21.4%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 3,528,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of advanced practice psychiatric nurses | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 87.3% | 47.1% |
| White | 70.6% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 16.0% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 10.6% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.0% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 21.4% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 5.7% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an advanced practice psychiatric nurse?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 3 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 6 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Social6.1
- Investigative5.9
- Conventional3.4
- Artistic2.8
- Realistic2.6
- Enterprising2.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
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- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with advanced practice psychiatric nurses highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Physician Assistant$135,880
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300
- Physical Therapist$102,760
- Dental Hygienist$98,100
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse$97,550
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$96,590
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$80,110
- Surgical Technologist$64,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 |
| Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse | $97,550 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse appears on
Questions
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse: frequently asked questions
How much do advanced practice psychiatric nurses make?
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses earn a median of $97,550 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 91% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $46.90/hr. The middle half earn between $80,330 and $112,350. The top 10% earn $137,470 or more.
How much do advanced practice psychiatric nurses make an hour?
The median hourly wage for advanced practice psychiatric nurses is $46.90 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $97,550 annual median works out to about $8,130 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for an advanced practice psychiatric nurse?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of advanced practice psychiatric nurses earn less than $68,940 a year and the bottom quarter less than $80,330 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Do advanced practice psychiatric nurses make $100k?
Some do. $100,000 sits between the median ($97,550) and the 75th percentile ($112,350), so roughly a quarter to a half of advanced practice psychiatric nurses earn more than that (BLS OEWS, May 2025). In 14 states the median itself is above $100,000: California ($140,270), Hawaii ($136,320), Oregon ($129,010), Washington ($124,200), and 10 more.
Which states pay advanced practice psychiatric nurses the most?
The highest state medians for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses are California ($140,270), Hawaii ($136,320), Oregon ($129,010) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What kind of advanced practice psychiatric nurse earns the most?
BLS does not split advanced practice psychiatric nurses' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $137,470, against a median of $97,550 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are California ($140,270), Hawaii ($136,320), Oregon ($129,010).
Do you need a degree to become an advanced practice psychiatric nurse?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as extensive preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 87.0% hold master's degree.
How long does it take to become an advanced practice psychiatric nurse?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for advanced practice psychiatric nurses is a bachelor's degree. O*NET classes the work as needing extensive preparation.
Is advanced practice psychiatric nurse a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.6% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 180,800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an advanced practice psychiatric nurse do?
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families. A core O*NET task: assess patients' mental and physical status, based on the presenting symptoms and complaints. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software.
Do advanced practice psychiatric nurses work 40 hours a week?
Most work more than 40. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 57% of advanced practice psychiatric nurses usually work more than 40 hours a week, 39% work exactly 40 and 4% work fewer. 96% say their schedule is regular and 4% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits an advanced practice psychiatric nurse?
O*NET scores Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses highest on the Social, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are INFJ, INFP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of advanced practice psychiatric nurses are women?
Women make up 87.3% of advanced practice psychiatric nurses, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation. 21.4% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 42.3 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.