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.
Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
Nurse Practitioners earn a median of $132,300 per year ($63.61/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 40.1% through 2034, with about 29,500 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
SOC 29-1171Healthcare Practitioners and TechnicalLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $132,300
- Projected growth
- +40.1%
- Openings a year
- 29,500
- Typical education
- Master's
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: ACNP (Acute Care Nurse Practitioner), Adult Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), ARNP Specialist (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Specialist), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Family Practice Certified Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner.
How much do Nurse Practitioners make?
10th percentile$101,340
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$117,990
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$132,300
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$156,700
Upper quartile
90th percentile$174,420
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $132,300 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $63.61/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $137,300 |
| People employed | 323,040 |
Versus all US occupations
At $132,300, Nurse Practitioners earn 160% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $81,320 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $97,870, this is 35% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $174,420 or more while the bottom 10% earn $101,340, a gap of 1.7×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 92% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
California pays the most at $168,520, and still leads at $152,204 once local prices are taken into account.
Which states pay Nurse Practitioners the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $168,520 | $152,204 | 25,120 |
| New Jersey | $159,310 | $146,418 | 9,950 |
| Washington | $156,100 | $145,870 | 6,700 |
| Oregon | $155,680 | $150,618 | 2,820 |
| Alaska | $155,170 | $151,594 | 710 |
| New York | $153,510 | $142,243 | 22,890 |
| Massachusetts | $142,440 | $134,686 | 8,070 |
| Nevada | $140,670 | $140,700 | 1,930 |
| Connecticut | $138,470 | $133,645 | 3,750 |
| New Hampshire | $137,550 | $132,050 | 1,770 |
Is Nurse Practitioner a growing career?
Nurse Practitioners40.1%
All US occupations3.1%
+40.1% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Nurse Practitioners to change 40.1% over 2024–2034, roughly 12.9× the 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 128,400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 29,500 openings are projected each year, 9.2% of the 320,400 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 35 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
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.
Employment growth will occur because of an increase in the demand for healthcare services. Several factors will contribute to this demand; the most important contributors include the aging population and growing prevalence of chronic disease.
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) perform many of the same services as physicians. APRNs will increasingly be used in team-based models of care, particularly in hospitals, offices of physicians, clinics, and other ambulatory care settings, where they will be needed to provide preventive, primary, and acute care.
How to become a Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Per BLS, an APRN must hold a registered nursing license, complete an accredited graduate-level program in the advanced practice role, pass a national certification exam, and hold a separate state APRN license. Most states require the national certification before you may use an APRN title.
The credential path, step by step
- Become a licensed registered nurse first2-4 years
BLS states that an APRN must have an RN license before pursuing education in an advanced practice role. That means completing an approved nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN.
- Complete an accredited graduate NP program
Earn at least a master's degree in the NP role and population focus you intend to practice in, covering advanced health assessment, pathophysiology and pharmacology plus faculty-supervised clinical hours. Most programs prefer a BSN, but bridge programs exist for RNs holding an associate degree or diploma, and some graduate programs admit people with a bachelor's degree in a related health science field. A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is an alternative to the master's.
- Pass a national NP certification examination
Sit the population-focused certification exam that matches your program, from a body such as AANPCB or ANCC. Most states require national certification before you can be licensed and use an APRN title.
- Obtain the state APRN license
Apply to the state board of nursing for an APRN license, which is separate from and additional to your RN license. Details differ by state.
Exams you have to pass
Family Nurse Practitioner certification examination (FNP)
An entry-level, competency-based examination testing clinical knowledge for family and individuals across the life span, taken after the graduate NP program. AANPCB also offers Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Psychiatric Mental Health and Emergency NP examinations. Applicants must hold a current, active U.S. RN license at the time of application and document faculty-supervised clinical hours, the three APRN core courses (advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology), and the degree conferral date.
Administered by American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB / NPCB).
Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC)
ANCC's family NP certification, one of four NP certifications it offers alongside AGPCNP-BC, AGACNP-BC and PMHNP-BC. Taken after the graduate NP program as the national certification step before state APRN licensure.
Administered by American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
- Program accreditation
CCNE · Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Accredits graduate nursing programs. BLS states that APRNs must complete an accredited graduate-level program, so the accreditation status of the NP program you choose is part of the licensure path, not an optional extra.
- Program accreditation
ACEN · Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Also accredits master's programs, including post-master's certificates, and clinical doctorate programs including DNP specialist certificates.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
BLS states plainly that states' requirements for APRNs vary. Each state's board of nursing issues the APRN license on top of the RN license, decides which national certifications it accepts, and sets the scope of practice. Prescribing authority is not uniform: BLS notes that APRNs may prescribe medications in many states, which means not in all of them, and independent practice authority likewise differs. Check the board of nursing in the state where you intend to practice before choosing a program.
Who governs the credential
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) — Certifies nurse practitioners through entry-level, competency-based examinations in four areas: Family (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGNP), Psychiatric Mental Health (PMHNP) and Emergency (ENP). The board also operates under the name NPCB.
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) — The other main NP certifier, offering Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP-BC), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP-BC) and Psychiatric-Mental Health across the lifespan (PMHNP-BC) certifications.
- National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) — Publishes the NP role core competencies that nurse practitioner education programs are built around; it does not license or certify individuals.
Credential detail for nurse practitioners is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners (How to Become One) · checked August 23, 2026
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB / NPCB), Certification · checked August 23, 2026
- American Nurses Credentialing Center, Our Certifications · checked August 23, 2026
- National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), NP Competencies · checked August 23, 2026
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing, CCNE Accreditation · checked August 23, 2026
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, FAQs: ACEN and Accreditation · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), must have at least a master’s degree in their specialty role. APRNs also must be licensed registered nurses in their state, pass a national certification exam, and have a state APRN license.
| Typical entry-level education | Master's degree |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Considerable preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as nurse practitioners.
- Master's Degree65.2%
- Doctoral Degree26.1%
- Bachelor's Degree4.4%
- Post-Doctoral Training4.4%
What does a Nurse Practitioner do?
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.
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. The scope of practice varies from state to state.
Day-to-day tasks
- Maintain complete and detailed records of patients' health care plans and prognoses.
- Develop treatment plans, based on scientific rationale, standards of care, and professional practice guidelines.
- Provide patients with information needed to promote health, reduce risk factors, or prevent disease or disability.
- Analyze and interpret patients' histories, symptoms, physical findings, or diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnoses.
- Diagnose or treat complex, unstable, comorbid, episodic, or emergency conditions in collaboration with other health care providers as necessary.
- Prescribe medication dosages, routes, and frequencies, based on such patient characteristics as age and gender.
- Diagnose or treat chronic health care problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Prescribe medications based on efficacy, safety, and cost as legally authorized.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most APRNs work full time. In physicians’ offices, APRNs typically work during normal business hours. In hospitals and other healthcare facilities, they may work in shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to provide round-the-clock patient care. Some APRNs, especially those who work in critical care or those who deliver babies, also may need to be on call.
Where the work happens
- Almost never works outdoors
Working with people
- Constant contact with other people
- Face-to-face discussions every day
- Dealing with customers or the public is very important
Pressure and stakes
- Meeting strict deadlines at least weekly
- Mistakes carry very serious consequences
Autonomy
- A lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.1/5
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Critical Thinking4.1/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Active Learning4.0/5
- Monitoring4.0/5
- Science3.8/5
Transferable skills
- Complex Problem Solving4.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0/5
- Service Orientation3.9/5
- Coordination3.8/5
- Time Management3.4/5
- Persuasion3.3/5
- Instructing3.1/5
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Nurse Practitioner?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realistic3.6
Investigativeprimary5.5
Artistic1.4
Socialprimary5.5
Enterprising2.1
Conventionalprimary4.1
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with teaching, helping and working directly with other people.
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.
Nurse Practitioner: frequently asked questions
How much do Nurse Practitioners make?
Nurse Practitioners earn a median of $132,300 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 160% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $63.61/hr. The middle half earn between $117,990 and $156,700. The top 10% earn $174,420 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Nurse Practitioner?
Yes. BLS reports a master's degree as the typical entry-level education for Nurse Practitioners, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as considerable preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 65.2% hold master's degree.
Is Nurse Practitioner a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 40.1% over 2024–2034, more than double the 3.1% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 29,500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Nurse Practitioner do?
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. A core O*NET task: maintain complete and detailed records of patients' health care plans and prognoses. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Document management software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Nurse Practitioners the most?
The highest state medians for Nurse Practitioners are California ($168,520), New Jersey ($159,310), Washington ($156,100) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Nurse Practitioner?
O*NET scores Nurse Practitioners highest on the Investigative, Social and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with teaching, helping and working directly with other people. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISFJ, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
Do you need a license to work as a Nurse Practitioner?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. BLS states plainly that states' requirements for APRNs vary. Each state's board of nursing issues the APRN license on top of the RN license, decides which national certifications it accepts, and sets the scope of practice. Prescribing authority is not uniform: BLS notes that APRNs may prescribe medications in many states, which means not in all of them, and independent practice authority likewise differs. Check the board of nursing in the state where you intend to practice before choosing a program.
What exams do you have to pass to become a Nurse Practitioner?
The FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner certification examination) and the FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner Certification). An entry-level, competency-based examination testing clinical knowledge for family and individuals across the life span, taken after the graduate NP program. AANPCB also offers Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Psychiatric Mental Health and Emergency NP examinations. Applicants must hold a current, active U.S. RN license at the time of application and document faculty-supervised clinical hours, the three APRN core courses (advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology), and the degree conferral date.