As of October 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) in the United States is $56, which translates to an annual salary of about $116,750.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $124,120 | $10,343 | $2,387 | $60 |
| Average | $116,750 | $9,729 | $2,245 | $56 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,470 | $9,206 | $2,124 | $53 |
A Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP)'s salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP)'s salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $114,688 |
| Intermediate Level Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $114,875 |
| Senior Level Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $115,625 |
| Specialist Level Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $116,750 |
| Expert Level Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $119,170 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | 6.6% |
| Psychiatric | 2.85% |
| Long Term Care | 2.08% |
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP)'s salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Certification Programs | $127,258 | |
| Data Collection | $127,258 | |
| Clinical Care | $126,090 |
Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $123,794. While startup companies pay approximate $105,508.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $105,508 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $111,384 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $119,714 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $123,794 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP)s enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $122,466 and $127,810).
| Typical Education for Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 0.6% |
| High School | 0.6% |
| Associates | 0.8% |
| Bachelors | 2.0% |
| Masters | 91.8% |
| Doctorate | 4.8% |
Understanding how a Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP)'s annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $124,120 | $10,343 | $2,387 | $60 |
| Average | $116,750 | $9,729 | $2,245 | $56 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,470 | $9,206 | $2,124 | $53 |
Salaries for a Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $231,993 in 2023 to around $226,789 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $231,993 |
| 2024 | $237,504 |
| 2025 | $226,789 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
While some nursing positions can offer high salaries, Specialty Nurse Practitioners typically earn between $117,150 and $136,630 annually, with a median salary of $127,140. Achieving a salary of $300,000 per year is uncommon in nursing, as most roles fall within this range.
Is a nurse practitioner higher than a PA? Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are both licensed healthcare providers, and neither is above” the other. Nurse practitioners, such as Specialty NPs, typically earn between $117,150 and $136,630, reflecting their extensive training and autonomy in patient care.
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty is the most popular among nurse practitioners, with 70.3% opting for this certification. In terms of salary, FNPs can expect to earn between $117,150 and $136,630, with a median salary of $127,140. This combination of demand and competitive pay makes FNP a strong choice for aspiring NPs.
One of the highest in-demand positions for a nurse practitioner is the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). With an estimated salary range of $117,150 to $136,630, this role is crucial as 17,000 to 48,000 physicians are expected to leave family medicine by 2034, creating significant shortages, particularly in rural areas.
Typically, some of the highest paying NP specialties include neonatal nurse practitioners, pediatric nurse practitioners, and psychiatric nurse practitioners. The salary range for these roles is between $117,150 and $136,630, with a median salary of $127,140. If you have an interest in a certain specialty, consider the potential salary differences compared to your current role.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) earn between $117,150 and $136,630, with a median salary of $127,140. In comparison, average physician salaries are significantly higher, often double that of NPs, and some specialties can earn more than three times the average NP salary.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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