Nurse Practitioner Salary: A State-By-State Guide
Credit: Solskin / Getty ImagesKey Takeaways
- Nurse practitioner salaries average $132,000 nationally — among the highest in the nursing field.
- California ranks as the state with the highest NP salary at $166,610, while Alabama ranks lowest at $106,930.
- Alaska saw the biggest percentage increase, with salaries rising 13% from 2023-2024.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) rank among the highest-paid professionals in the nursing field. In May 2024, the average annual nurse practitioner salary reached $132,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). With demand for NPs rising, salaries could continue to increase.
Drawing on current NP salary data from the BLS, our guide digs into NP salaries by state, cost of living, and states with the largest change in NP earnings. If you’re interested in a career as an NP, you can use this data to make an informed decision about your career.
Nurse Practitioner Salaries by State
| Rank | State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $166,610 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $149,620 |
| 3 | Alaska | $145,450 |
| 4 | New York | $145,390 |
| 5 | Oregon | $144,600 |
| 6 | Washington | $140,220 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $138,960 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $138,890 |
| 9 | New Mexico | $138,440 |
| 10 | Arizona | $133,790 |
NP salaries vary significantly across the country. Western and Northeastern states dominate the list of the highest-paying states for NP salaries. In contrast, southern states tend to offer the lowest salaries. California tops the list, with NPs earning an average of $166,610 annually — nearly $60,000 more than the lowest-paying state, Alabama.
Cost of living plays a significant role in compensation. States with a high cost of living rank among the best-paying locations for NPs. Southern states with lower living expenses, such as Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas, tend to offer lower annual salaries, ranging between $107,000 and $114,000.
Urban areas tend to offer higher pay than rural areas. For example, California’s Bay Area reports the highest salary by metropolitan area for NPs, according to the BLS.
The Highest-Paying States Adjusted for Cost of Living
The cost of living where NPs intend to practice affects their standard of living. This table shows the top ten highest-paying states for NPs adjusted for the cost-of-living index.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the cost of living index (or regional price parity) measures how far earnings go based on the regional price of goods and services across states. The index, which sets 100 as the national average, takes into account the cost of essentials such as food, housing, utilities, healthcare, and transportation.
| Rank | State | Cost of Living (CoL) Index* | Salary Adjusted for CoL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | 90.4 | $153,165 |
| 2 | Montana | 90.2 | $148,087 |
| 3 | California | 112.6 | $147,991 |
| 4 | Iowa | 88.8 | $145,797 |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 88.3 | $143,477 |
| 6 | Alaska | 101.7 | $142,998 |
| 7 | Louisiana | 88.3 | $142,600 |
| 8 | Nebraska | 90.4 | $141,553 |
| 9 | Idaho | 91.4 | $141,034 |
| 10 | Wyoming | 90.8 | $140,619 |
Sources: BLS and BEA, 2024
Even after adjusting salaries for cost of living, NP earnings in all 50 states top six figures. Adjusted salaries in the top ten highest-paying states range from about $141,000 to $153,000.
In spite of reporting the highest cost of living, California still ranks among the top ten best-paying states for NPs. New Mexico’s affordable cost of living helps push the state into the top spot for the highest adjusted NP salary.
Top 5 States by Change in Nurse Practitioner Salary
Overall, NP compensation has grown in almost every region of the country, with Alaska topping the list for the largest increase. Around 1 in 3 states saw the average nurse practitioner salary decline from 2023 to 2024, with most of these states reporting less than a 5% decline.
Top 5 States With the Largest Percentage Increase in Average Annual Salary (2023-2024)
- Alaska: 13.26%
- Missouri: 7.67%
- Florida: 7.21%
- Montana: 6.73%
- West Virginia: 6.73%
The primary care provider shortage, an aging population, and nurse retirements all contribute to rising demand and compensation for NPs. A growing number of states have expanded NP practice authority to meet demand for healthcare and reduce healthcare costs, making NPs even more valuable in the healthcare system.
Complete List of States by Nurse Practitioner Salary
Complete List of States by Nurse Practitioner Salary
| Rank⇅ | State⇅ | Average Annual Salary (2024)⇅ | Cost of Living Index⇅ | Average Annual Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $166,610 | 112.6 | $147,991 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $149,620 | 108.9 | $137,414 |
| 3 | Alaska | $145,450 | 101.7 | $142,998 |
| 4 | New York | $145,390 | 107.6 | $135,088 |
| 5 | Oregon | $144,600 | 104.7 | $138,081 |
| 6 | Washington | $140,220 | 108.6 | $129,161 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $138,960 | 103.7 | $134,016 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $138,890 | 108.2 | $128,319 |
| 9 | New Mexico | $138,440 | 90.4 | $153,165 |
| 10 | Arizona | $133,790 | 101.1 | $132,328 |
Methodology
Nurse practitioner salary data by state is collected from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, released on April 2, 2025. Data reflects nurse practitioner salaries as of May 2024. The highest-paying states for nurse practitioners are ranked by average annual salary.
Cost-of-living data is collected from the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis Real Personal Income for states and metropolitan areas, last updated February 20, 2025. Nurse practitioner salary adjusted for cost of living is calculated by dividing each state’s NP salary by its regional price parity (RPP) as a multiple of 100. RPP measures differences in the cost of goods and services in a region compared to national prices.
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