What Nurse Practitioners do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Nurse Practitioners this way: "Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Educate patients about self-management of acute or chronic illnesses, tailoring instructions to patients' individual circumstances"; "Schedule follow-up visits to monitor patients or evaluate health or illness care"; "Counsel patients about drug regimens and possible side effects or interactions with other substances, such as food supplements, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, or herbal remedies"; "Order, perform, or interpret the results of diagnostic tests, such as complete blood counts (CBCs), electrocardiograms (EKGs), and radiographs (x-rays)"; "Analyze and interpret patients' histories, symptoms, physical findings, or diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnoses".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is master's degree.
Job outlook for Nurse Practitioners
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 336,300 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 474,100 in 2035, an increase of 137,800 jobs (+41%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 29,400 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.7% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $132,300, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Nurse Practitioners earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $155,661 in New York to $175,374 in California, a gap of $19,713 (1.13 times). 3 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $132,300 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 30,090, which is 36.0% of the 83,690 counted across them. New York follows with 29,320.
Highest-paying states
California ($175,374), New Jersey ($156,018) and New York ($155,661) lead the ranking, while New York ($155,661) and New Jersey ($156,018) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Nurse Practitioners: pay against the cost of living
We compare 3 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $83,036. The smallest margin is $71,968 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 3 of the 3 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 20.8% and 28.8% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Nurse Practitioners
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (29-1000) include General Internal Medicine Physicians, Pharmacists, Physician Assistants and Physical Therapists.
Frequently asked questions about Nurse Practitioners
How much do Nurse Practitioners earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $132,300. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $155,661 to $175,374.
Which state pays Nurse Practitioners the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $175,374. New Jersey is next at $156,018.
Is Nurse Practitioners a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 41% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 29,400 openings a year.
What education do Nurse Practitioners need?
The typical entry-level education is master's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Nurse Practitioners afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $83,036 on a median wage of $163,340.