Candidate guide
Nurse Practitioner Salary by State: How to Benchmark Your Next Role
By Molly Salinas · October 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Compensation is one useful starting point, not a complete picture of a career decision. The figures below are BLS estimates for people already employed in each state—not promises from a specific employer. Use them to frame a conversation about base pay, schedule, call, productivity expectations, benefits, staffing and growth.
When you compare opportunities, ask for the details that change the real value of the role: patient volume, administrative time, coverage model, onboarding, paid time off, credentialing support and whether the stated range is base compensation or total compensation.
Highest mean pay by state
| State | Mean annual wage | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| California | $176,760 | $168,520 |
| Oregon | $155,780 | $155,680 |
| New Jersey | $155,750 | $159,310 |
| New York | $153,900 | $153,510 |
| Massachusetts | $152,320 | $142,440 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 state estimates.
A recruiter can help you evaluate the parts a salary table cannot show: how a team operates, what success looks like in the first year, and whether the work fits the life you want outside the clinic or hospital.