Average Nurse Practitioner Salary: $126,976 (2026)

The average nurse practitioner salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $126,976 per year as of 2026. This is based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data covering 50 metro areas. Salaries range from $106,643 in Birmingham, AL to $172,989 in San Jose, CA.

The average hourly rate for nurse practitioners is $61.05 per hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by location, ranging from $51.27/hour in lower-paying areas to $83.17/hour in top-paying cities like San Jose.

San Jose, CA is the highest paying metro area for nurse practitioners, with a median salary of $172,989 per year. This is 36% above the national average of $126,976. Other high-paying areas typically include major tech hubs and cities with high costs of living.

Entry-level nurse practitioners (10th percentile) typically earn around $82,581 per year nationally. Starting salaries depend on education, certifications, location, and industry. Most entry-level professionals can expect to reach the median salary of $126,976 within 3-5 years of career growth.

The average nurse practitioner salary of $126,976 is 114% higher than the typical U.S. worker salary of approximately $59,228. Top earners in this profession (90th percentile) can make $183,875 or more annually.

Birmingham, AL has the lowest nurse practitioner salary at $106,643 per year. However, lower salaries often correlate with lower costs of living, which can result in similar purchasing power. The salary difference between the highest and lowest paying areas is $66,346.

There are approximately 13,268 nurse practitioners employed across the 50 metropolitan areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents a moderate-sized job market with opportunities in healthcare industries nationwide.

The biggest factors affecting nurse practitioner salary include: geographic location (salaries vary by up to $66,346 across cities), years of experience, industry sector, Specialty — psychiatric and acute care NPs earn more than family practice, Full practice authority state — independent practice often enables higher compensation. Metropolitan areas with high industry demand and cost of living typically pay more.

In-demand skills that boost nurse practitioner salaries include: Advanced clinical assessment and diagnostic reasoning, Prescriptive authority and pharmacology expertise, Chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, heart disease), Electronic health records and health information technology, Patient counseling and motivational interviewing. Specialty — psychiatric and acute care NPs earn more than family practice Developing specialized expertise can help you reach the top 25% of earners ($156,294).

Nurse Practitioner salaries have generally kept pace with inflation, with the current average of $126,976 reflecting 2026 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The job outlook is positive, which typically supports continued salary growth. Professionals who develop in-demand skills and pursue certifications tend to see above-average salary increases.