Hourly Wage for Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP)?

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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $63 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53 to $60 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50 per hour

Key Factors That Influence Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salaries?

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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $114,688
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $114,875
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $115,625
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $116,750
  • Expert (over 8 years): $119,170
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

How Do Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP)s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $129,270.
  • California: $128,780.
  • Massachusetts: $127,060.

Top Paying Cities for Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP)s

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $147,260
  • San Francisco: $145,640
  • Oakland: $142,580

What Skills Can Increase a Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP)'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Collaboration (Mentioned in 6.6% Job Postings): Works cooperatively and shares ideas with coworkers and managers to achieve common goals and objectives.
  • Psychiatric (Mentioned in 2.85% Job Postings): Periodically and systematically assessing the client's dietary intake and nutritional status to ensure the effectiveness of nutrition intervention.
  • Long Term Care (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Long-term care (LTC) is a variety of services which help meet both the medical and non-medical needs of people with a chronic illness or disability who cannot care for themselves for long periods. Long term care is focused on individualized and coordinated services that promote independence, maximize patients' quality of life, and meet patients' needs over a period of time. It is common for long-term care to provide custodial and non-skilled care, such as assisting with normal daily tasks like dressing, feeding, using the bathroom. Increasingly, long-term care involves providing a level of medical care that requires the expertise of skilled practitioners to address the multiple chronic conditions associated with older populations. Long-term care can be provided at home, in the community, in assisted living facilities or in nursing homes. Long-term care may be needed by people of any age, although it is a more common need for senior citizens.
Skills Demand Percentage
Collaboration 6.6%
Psychiatric 2.85%
Long Term Care 2.08%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

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.

  • Certification Programs: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Data Collection: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Clinical Care: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Certification Programs $127,258
9%
Data Collection $127,258
9%
Clinical Care $126,090
8%

Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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.

Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salary by Company Size

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

Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$140,100$67.020%

How Education impacts a Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP)'s Salary?

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).

Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salaries by Degree Level

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%

Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$110,470
Average $116,750/year
$124,120
$9,206
Average $9,729/month
$10,343
$2,124
Average $2,245/week
$2,387
$53
Average $56/hour
$60
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

Most common benefits for Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP)

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Here are companies hiring for Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP)

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP)?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Specialty Nurse Practitioner (NP) roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Can a nurse make 300k a year?

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.

3. Is a PA higher than a FNP?

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.

4. Which NP specialty is best?

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.

5. Which NP specialty is most in demand?

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.

6. What is the highest paid NP specialty?

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.

7. Do NPs make more than doctors?

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.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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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