Nurse Practitioner Salary Report 2024
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are crucial in modern healthcare, delivering high-quality care and filling vital system gaps. This guide details nurse practitioner salaries, including averages, regional variations, and career growth prospects.
The Pivotal Role of a Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who hold a master's or doctoral degree in nursing. They are equipped with advanced clinical training and are authorized to diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions, prescribe medications, and manage patient care. NPs operate in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and community health centers, providing a multitude of patient care services, including:
- Conducting physical exams and patient assessments
- Diagnosing various medical conditions
- Developing treatment plans
- Prescribing medications
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests
- Providing patient education and counseling
- Managing overall patient care
Their extensive training allows NPs to offer comprehensive care, often serving as primary care providers for many patients.
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Make?
AMN Healthcare’s annual Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives, now in its 31st year, sheds some light on the current compensation landscape for NPs in the field today. The review found that the average starting salary for NPs in 2024 is $164,000, up from $152,000 the previous year (an 8.6% increase), with a high salary of $310,000.
Average NP Salary by Region
When breaking down earning potential for nurse practitioners in different areas of the country, the review calculated average NP salaries across the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, and West:
|
West |
$177,005 |
|
Midwest |
$149,200 |
|
Southeast |
$147,111 |
|
Northeast |
$142,096 |
|
Southwest |
$133,793 |
Bonuses and Financial Incentives for NPs
Outside of their increasing base salary, nurse practitioners have seen a growth in additional financial incentives over the past year. While not every employer offers signing bonuses, the average signing bonus for NPs in 2024 is $11,758, with a high of $160,000. Relocation allowance is another financial perk for NPs—especially those working as locum tenens providers—averaging $7,910 and reaching as much as $20,000 in 2024.
The continued growth in compensation for NPs is due in large part to their ability to generate revenue, representing a good return on investment ($1,311,922 in submitted billing in the 75th percentile for 2024) in an era when many healthcare organizations are focusing on cost control.
Career Outlook and Demand Trends for NPs
Nurse practitioner compensation can also be attributed to the specialty’s soaring demand across the healthcare industry. For the fourth consecutive year, AMN Healthcare conducted more search engagements for nurse practitioners (NPs) than for any other type of physician or APP.
NPs are filling needs created by the physician shortage, and are being used to staff a growing number of urgent care centers, retail clinics, and telemedicine platforms. In addition, more specialty medical practices are employing them, and 26 states have already granted them Full Practice Authority (FPA). As the number of states granting NPs FPA continues to grow, the role of NPs — and demand for their services — will increase correspondingly.
More than 36,000 NPs complete their training each year, greater than the total number of physicians in all specialties who complete residency programs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the number of NP job openings to grow 46% by 2032, the highest rate of growth for any occupation, tied only by wind turbine technicians.
Empower your Locum Tenens Nurse Practitioner Career with AMN Healthcare
At AMN Healthcare, we deliver a targeted, customized career journey and an expanded network of job opportunities, giving you the flexibility to choose where, when, and how you work as you navigate your career. As your physician and advanced practice staffing partner, we are equipped to meet your unique needs and elevate your career with:
- A Personalized Approach to Career Empowerment: We take pride in a personalized recruitment strategy, with dedicated consultants who work with you to understand your career priorities and offer expert advice.
- Four Decades of Market Expertise: With a legacy of trust from employers and physicians alike, our partnerships with leading health systems and practices allow us to match you with the opportunities that fit your unique needs.
- Access to Top Opportunities at the Nation’s Leading Facilities: We offer access to virtually limitless job possibilities at the nation’s most esteemed facilities across a full spectrum of settings, specialties, and practice areas.
- Seamless Placement and Credentialing Processes: Our expert support teams guide you through the job search and placement process, putting licensing, credentialing, and the freedom to create a new path to success at your fingertips.
Partnering with AMN Healthcare will deliver the flexibility and support you need to navigate your advanced practice career, giving you the unmatched freedom to choose permanent placement, locum tenens, and academic opportunities that match your unique goals.
Are you ready to elevate your NP career? Learn more about the exclusive nationwide opportunities offered by AMN Healthcare.
