Physician Job Market Analysis Report

Nurse Practitioner Market (a.k.a. Where the Jobs Are, and Occasionally, the Money)

OVERVIEW

The current Nurse Practitioner job market is active, widespread, and—like most things involving healthcare compensation—slightly unpredictable.

We identified 1,768 job listings nationwide, which is encouraging if you are looking for work and less encouraging if you were hoping to avoid decision-making.

👉 (Browse all current Nurse Practitioner jobs on PhysEmp

Out of these, 20 listings included salary data, which is enough to identify trends, though not enough to make your accountant feel fully relaxed.

States represented include Vermont, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, California, Virginia, Michigan, Oklahoma, Georgia, Colorado, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Washington, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Mississippi, and Florida—also known as “most of the map.”

The national salary range spans $124,800 to $291,200 annually, depending largely on geography, role type, and your willingness to pack a suitcase.

The average national range falls between $145,200 and $177,920, which serves as a useful benchmark and a reminder that “average” is where statistics go to avoid arguments.

HIGHEST-PAYING STATES

If your strategy involves maximizing income (a bold and popular strategy), several states stand out:

• Indiana: $208,000–$291,200
• Connecticut: $166,400–$239,200
• Illinois: $182,640–$238,600
• Wisconsin: $156,000–$251,680
• California: $184,530–$205,234

👉 (Explore high-paying Nurse Practitioner opportunities by state:

Illinois is particularly notable because it combines strong compensation with actual job volume, which is rarer than it should be.

👉 (View current Nurse Practitioner jobs in Illinois and similar high-demand markets

California remains competitive, although compensation should always be evaluated alongside cost of living , which has been known to have opinions.

LOWEST-PAYING STATES

On the lower end of the spectrum, several states offer compensation that may prompt deeper reflection:

• Colorado: $115,000 (remarkably consistent, if not ambitious)
• Mississippi & Florida: $115,200–$158,400
• Oklahoma: $120,000–$130,000
• New York: $120,000–$145,333

New York’s numbers are particularly interesting, given its reputation for being extremely affordable in no known universe.

👉 (Compare opportunities across lower- and mid-range markets here

Important note: These figures reflect specific listings and may not represent the full market—translation: do not make life decisions based on one spreadsheet.

NEAR-AVERAGE STATES

For those who prefer predictability over dramatic salary swings:

• Georgia & Pennsylvania: $145,600–$187,200
• North Carolina: $166,400–$208,000
• Massachusetts: $135,000–$168,000

These states cluster near the national average and tend to offer stable, consistent compensation.

👉 (Browse Nurse Practitioner roles in these steady, benchmark markets

JOB VOLUME LEADERS

In terms of listing volume:

• New York: 3 listings
• Illinois, Michigan, Texas, Washington: 2 each
• Everyone else: 1 (a minimalist approach)

Notably, job volume does not equal higher pay, which feels unfair but remains true.

👉 (Browse active Nurse Practitioner listings in high-volume states.

Illinois again stands out as a rare combination of volume + above-average pay, which analysts refer to as “good.”

NOTABLE LISTINGS

• Highest salary: $291,200/year
  • Travel Nurse Practitioner in Austin, TX ($140/hour)
  • Translation: mobility = money

• Lowest salary: $124,800/year
  • Full-time NP in Omak, WA ($60/hour)
  • Still solid, just less likely to inspire dramatic career announcements

This spread reinforces a key insight:
Role type (especially travel) can matter as much as location.

MARKET TAKEAWAY

If your goal is to optimize compensation:

• Target Indiana, Connecticut, Illinois, Wisconsin

If your goal is to maximize options:

• Focus on New York and Illinois

If your goal is to maximize income and you are geographically flexible:

• Travel roles offer the highest upside

FINAL DISCLOSURES (IMPORTANT, BUT LESS FUN)

• Salary data is based on a limited subset (20 listings with compensation)
• Hourly rates were annualized assuming full-time schedules
• Regional differences may reflect cost of living, employer type, urgency, and other variables
• This report is for informational purposes and should not replace professional career decision-making (or common sense)

NEXT STEPS (THE PART WHERE YOU ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING)

👉 (Browse all Nurse Practitioner jobs on PhysEmp
👉 (Upload your CV to be matched with top NP opportunities

BOTTOM LINE

The Nurse Practitioner market is broad, inconsistent, and full of opportunity—especially for candidates willing to be flexible.

Or more simply:
Go where the money is. Just double-check the rent before you celebrate.