As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care in the United States is $118,023 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.
However, a Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care'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 Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care | $115,935 |
| Intermediate Level Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care | $116,410 |
| Senior Level Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care | $117,074 |
| Specialist Level Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care | $118,245 |
| Expert Level Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care | $120,469 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Nurse Practitioner - Acute Cares. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | 6.6% |
| Psychiatric | 2.9% |
| Wound Care | 2.11% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Consulting
|
$140,447 |
19%
|
|
Empathy
|
$135,726 |
15%
|
|
Clinical Care
|
$134,546 |
14%
|
|
Communication Skills
|
$132,186 |
12%
|
|
Collaborating
|
$131,006 |
11%
|
|
Clinical Nursing
|
$131,006 |
11%
|
Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $125,350. While startup companies pay approximate $106,763.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $106,763 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $112,714 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $121,257 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $125,350 |
For Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care 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, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $141,628 | $68.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care'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 July 01, 2026Salaries for a Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care 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 Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $231,993 |
| 2024 | $237,504 |
| 2025 | $226,789 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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A Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care is $148,862.
The highest pay for Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care is $132,256.
The lowest pay for Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care is $105,874.
Works in collaboration with physicians and other members of the healthcare team to manage care for patients in an acute care setting. Orders, interprets, and records results of clinical tests and reports results to physicians. Prescribes medications and makes recommendations for other therapeutic forms of treatment. Assesses patient condition and may provide treatment using specialized medical equipment. Requires a master's degree. Requires Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP). Requires Registered Nurse (RN). Requires Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.
The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
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