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Critical Care Nurse Practitioner Salary in the United States

How much does a Critical Care Nurse Practitioner make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Critical Care Nurse Practitioner in the United States is $118,996 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

However, a Critical Care Nurse Practitioner's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $132,383
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $112,085 to $126,003
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,793
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Critical Care Nurse Practitioner Salaries

A Critical Care Nurse Practitioner'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.

How Experience Level Affects Critical Care Nurse Practitioner Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Critical Care Nurse Practitioner'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): $117,364
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $117,844
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $118,516
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $119,701
  • Expert (over 8 years): $121,951
Levels Salary
Entry Level Critical Care Nurse Practitioner$117,364
Intermediate Level Critical Care Nurse Practitioner$117,844
Senior Level Critical Care Nurse Practitioner$118,516
Specialist Level Critical Care Nurse Practitioner$119,701
Expert Level Critical Care Nurse Practitioner$121,951
View as Graph

How Do Critical Care Nurse Practitioner 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 Critical Care Nurse Practitioners. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $131,752.
  • California: $131,253.
  • Massachusetts: $129,503.

Top Paying Cities for Critical Care Nurse Practitioners

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: $150,090
  • San Francisco: $148,446
  • Oakland: $145,318

What Skills Can Increase a Critical Care Nurse Practitioner'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 2.84% Job Postings): Periodically and systematically assessing the client's dietary intake and nutritional status to ensure the effectiveness of nutrition intervention.
  • Wound Care (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Decontaminating medical equipment and instruments from harmful microorganisms to avoid transmission of infectious pathogens to patients.
Skills Demand Percentage
Collaboration 6.6%
Psychiatric 2.84%
Wound Care 2.08%
See More Skills

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 Critical Care Nurse Practitioner's salary.

  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Innovation $127,326
7%
Consulting $126,136
6%
Initiative $122,566
3%
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Critical Care Nurse Practitioner Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Critical Care Nurse Practitioner 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, Critical Care Nurse Practitioner positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Critical Care Nurse Practitioner as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Critical Care Nurse Practitioner

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$142,795$69.020%

Critical Care Nurse Practitioner Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Critical Care Nurse Practitioner'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 September 01, 2026
$112,085
Average $118,996/year
$126,003
$9,340
Average $9,916/month
$10,500
$2,155
Average $2,288/week
$2,423
$54
Average $57/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $126,003 $10,500 $2,423 $61
Average $118,996 $9,916 $2,288 $57
25th Percentile $112,085 $9,340 $2,155 $54

Most common benefits for Critical Care Nurse Practitioner

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

Common company salaries for Critical Care Nurse Practitioner

Here are companies hiring for Critical Care Nurse Practitioner and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Critical Care Nurse Practitioner

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Critical Care Nurse Practitioner?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Critical Care Nurse Practitioner roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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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