Physician Job Market Analysis Report: Nurse Practitioner
PhysEmp Job Market Index — Based on physician job listings posted on PhysEmp. This analysis is part of the PhysEmp Physician Salary Report series.
Nurse Practitioner Market (a.k.a. Where the Jobs Are, and Occasionally, the Money)
OVERVIEW
The nurse practitioner job market is robust and geographically diverse, with a total of 1,746 active job listings identified across the United States. Listings were found in a wide range of states, spanning from high-volume markets like California, New York, and North Carolina to smaller markets such as Washington D.C., Utah, and Wyoming. Of the total listings, 726 included salary data, providing a strong foundation for compensation analysis. Nationally, salaries range from a low of $45,000 annually — tied to a part-time position in Texas — to a high of $400,000 at the upper end of the spectrum. The national average salary range sits between $142,415 and $400,000, though most full-time positions cluster between $100,000 and $200,000 annually, with hourly contract roles typically falling between $70 and $100 per hour.
HIGHEST-PAYING STATES
North Dakota leads the nation in average compensation for nurse practitioners, with an average salary range of $194,133 to $242,667, though this figure is based on only three listings and should be interpreted with some caution. Wisconsin follows closely, offering an average range of $175,440 to $239,243 across 15 salary listings, making it one of the more reliable high-paying markets. New Hampshire also stands out with an average range of $178,100 to $234,000, and Maine offers $180,267 to $235,733. Montana ($165,600 to $220,978), Virginia ($165,617 to $215,770), Indiana ($163,408 to $216,760), Kansas ($161,040 to $215,980), and Minnesota ($162,933 to $222,560) round out the top tier of high-paying states, each offering average high-end salaries well above $200,000.
LOWEST-PAYING STATES
At the lower end of the compensation spectrum, Rhode Island reports an average salary range of $115,000 to $153,750, falling notably below the national average floor of $142,415. Massachusetts averages $119,377 to $148,815, and Oklahoma comes in at $116,667 to $133,333 — one of the lowest average high-end figures in the dataset. West Virginia averages $121,200 to $150,600, and Washington D.C. reports a single listing at $120,000 to $160,000. New Jersey, while a high-cost-of-living state, averages only $132,130 to $154,040, which may reflect a competitive local market or a concentration of lower-acuity positions.
NEAR-AVERAGE STATES
Several states fall close to the national average salary floor of $142,415 and can serve as useful benchmark markets. Maryland averages $142,782 to $182,178 across 11 salary listings, placing it almost exactly at the national average low. Pennsylvania averages $143,120 to $187,929, and Michigan averages $145,000 to $197,743. Oregon ($145,494 to $191,077) and Idaho ($147,800 to $173,600) also sit near the midpoint, offering compensation that reflects typical market conditions without significant premium or discount.
JOB VOLUME LEADERS
California dominates in sheer job volume with 207 listings, followed by New York with 126, North Carolina with 110, Washington state with 88, Massachusetts with 79, Oregon with 69, Florida with 68, Illinois with 57, and Arizona with 51. High volume does not consistently correlate with higher pay. California offers a competitive average range of $148,268 to $186,769, but Massachusetts — despite its 79 listings — ranks among the lower-paying states. North Carolina, with 110 listings, offers a strong average range of $147,376 to $201,199, suggesting that volume and pay can align favorably in certain markets.
NOTABLE LISTINGS
The highest individual salary listing found nationally reaches $400,000, representing the upper ceiling of the nurse practitioner market. On the lower end, the minimum salary identified was $45,000 annually, tied to a part-time nurse practitioner position in College Station, Texas. At the hourly level, a travel nurse practitioner position in Marysville, California was listed at $110 per hour, equivalent to approximately $228,800 annually, while a part-time role in College Station, Texas was listed at $45 per hour. A dermatology nurse practitioner position in Connecticut was among the highest annual salary listings, ranging from $150,000 to $200,000, consistent with a broader pattern of dermatology roles commanding premium compensation across the country.
MARKET TAKEAWAY
Nurse practitioners seeking the best balance of compensation and job availability should give strong consideration to states like North Carolina, California, and Virginia, which offer both high listing volumes and above-average salary ranges. Smaller markets such as Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and Maine offer some of the highest average salaries in the nation and may present compelling opportunities for those willing to relocate to less populated regions. Overall, the nurse practitioner job market remains highly active nationwide, with meaningful compensation opportunities available across a wide range of practice settings and geographic locations.
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.
