Nurse Practitioner Job and Salary Outlook 2025: By the Numbers

What’s the fastest-growing job in healthcare? According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse practitioners (NP) continue to top the list.

BLS data projects the NP field will grow a whopping 46% from 2023-2033 — more than 10 times higher than the 4% projected for all occupations combined. These versatile nursing professionals also earn a median salary of $129,210 per year, per BLS data.

As nurse practitioner jobs continue to attract high demand, and their salaries and benefits follow suit, interest in the profession is increasing. Current RNs can become NPs in as few as two years.

Is an NP career for you? Read this guide to learn more about why NPs are in demand, and what you might expect to encounter in your own NP journey.

NPs are one profession in a broader category called advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). APRNs include:

Each of these nursing specialists can act as primary care providers, diagnose medical conditions, and prescribe medication. Compared to registered nurses (RNs), NPs have a broader practice authority and a higher earning potential.

A persistent and widespread healthcare provider shortage continues to fuel demand for NPs and the versatility and autonomy they can bring to just about any healthcare setting.

RNs can become NPs by earning a master of science in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree. NP programs incorporate courses in comprehensive health assessment, advanced nursing practice, and pharmacology. Nursing students also complete clinical practicums in their specialty area.

Common NP specialties include:

After completing an MSN or DNP at an accredited nursing program, graduates pursue board certification in their specialty and apply for an advanced practice license from their state board of nursing. Board certified NPs have a broad practice authority.

The practice authority for healthcare professionals varies depending on their education and license. Comparing NPs and physicians shows the broad authority that NPs hold. While some states require NPs to practice with physician supervision, many provide full practice authority to NPs.

NPs have held the top spot for the fastest-growing job in healthcare for multiple years, and the job outlook for NPs remains strong in 2025.

Compared with other APRNs, NPs have significantly higher projected job growth. While the BLS projects a 46% increase in NP jobs, nurse anesthetists will see 10% growth and nurse midwives will see 7% growth.

That translates into significantly larger changes in employment for NPs, with a projected increase of more than 135,000 jobs by 2033.

In comparison with other healthcare providers, NPs also stand out for their high demand and job growth. While physician assistants will also see much-faster-than-average job growth of 28%, the field will expand by less than 44,000 jobs compared with over 135,000 NP jobs.

As primary and specialty care providers, NPs work in a variety of settings. Most, however, work in doctor’s offices and other primary care settings. These settings employ more than 155,000 NPs, as of May 2024. Around 100,000 NPs work in hospitals and outpatient care centers. Demand will likely continue to focus on these popular work settings.

Practice authority for NPs varies by state. But which states have the most NP jobs? While NPs work in every state, Florida ranks as the state that employs the highest number of NPs. As of 2025, Florida is also the only full practice authority state for NPs in the south, which may explain the higher number of positions.

Major cities typically employ the highest numbers of NPs, with the New York City metro area and Miami topping the list of locations where the most NPs work. NPs also benefit from demand in suburban and rural areas.

Over the past decade, NP salaries have increased every year. In 2014, NPs reported a median pay of $95,350, according to BLS data. By 2024, that number increased to $129,210.

The median salary for NPs ranks above many other nursing professions. While RNs earned a median of $93,600 in May 2024, NPs reported 38% higher salaries.

NP salary varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, and work setting. Some of the highest-paying settings for NPs include psychiatric hospitals, specialty hospitals, and outpatient care centers. While a majority of NPs work in primary care settings, they typically earn less than those in hospital settings.

Location also plays a significant role in earning potential based on NP pay by state data. California, the state with the highest NP salaries, reports median wages of 29% above the national median for NPs. California NPs benefit from full practice authority.

California cities also topped the list for the highest-paying metro areas, with several Bay Area regions reporting median salaries of $200,000 or more for NPs. Higher cost-of-living locations typically offer higher salaries.

Looking ahead, NPs will likely continue to benefit from strong demand and high salaries. With demand for health services only expected to increase as the shortage continues, nurses who become NPs can benefit by helping to fill this pressing need.

If historical trends on NP salary hold, NPs can also expect to see their earning potential increase annually. Attending an NP program may prove to be a valuable investment for many RNs.