Nurse Practitioner - NP Salary

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are experienced registered nurses who deliver a wide range of health care services similar to those provided by a doctor, notes the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Being an NP requires either a master's or doctoral degree in a specialized field, in addition to fulfilling the license requirements for the state in which the NP practices.

NP Salary Statistics

NPs had a mean annual salary of $90,000 in 2009, according to the AANP. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), by comparison, lists a slightly higher figure for 2009 among registered nurses with wages in the top 10 percent--$93,700. Though the figures vary somewhat, they confirm excellent earning potential for nurse practitioners.

Factors Affecting NP Salary

• Education level: NPs who hold doctoral degrees generally earn more than those with master's degrees.
• Experience: The NP salary is highest for those with many years of work experience.
• Industry: According to a 2009 salary survey by ADVANCE Magazine for Nurse Practitioners, NPs working in aesthetics/skin care had the highest average wages at $105,152, followed by emergency care ($104,369), and mental health settings ($100,140). More popular specialities such as family practice ($86,520), pediatrics ($83,926), or women's health ($83,319) came in toward the bottom of the earning scale.

Career Outlook for NPs

The employment outlook for nurse practitioners in the next several years is excellent. As NPs take over an increasing amount of direct patient care from doctors, employment opportunities and salaries should reflect their growing role in health care.