There were approximately 234,700 nurse practitioners (NPs) working in the U.S. as of May 2021 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). NPs work in varied healthcare settings, including physician offices, hospitals, outpatient care centers, educational institutions and the offices on other types of healthcare practitioners. Like many other healthcare professionals with advanced training and skills, nurse practitioners usually earn higher salaries and wages than workers in most other occupations. Per BLS estimates, as of May 2021, the national mean wage for NPs was $118,040 per year. While nurse practitioners realize better than average pay, there is considerable variation from state-to-state in how much NPs earn. Per BLS data, as of May 2021 these were the ten best and worst states for nurse practitioner pay:
The Best and Worst States for Nurse Practitioner Pay
| State | # Employed | Annual Mean Wages | Wage Rank* |
| CA | 17,400 | $151,830 | 1st |
| NJ | 6,690 | $137,010 | 2nd |
| NY | 15,190 | $133,940 | 3rd |
| WA | 3,730 | $130,840 | 4th |
| MA | 7,330 | $129,540 | 5th |
| OR | 2,090 | $128,190 | 6th |
| HI | 460 | $127,490 | 7th |
| MN | 4,490 | $127,010 | 8th |
| RI | 1,030 | $126,760 | 9th |
| DC | 680 | $125,290 | 10th |
| U.S. | 234,690 | $118,040 | ------- |
| KS | 2,630 | $108,710 | 42nd |
| AR | 2,590 | $107,080 | 43rd |
| KY | 4,550 | $106,080 | 44th |
| ID | 1,020 | $105,290 | 45th |
| FL | 14,880 | $104,830 | 46th |
| WV | 1,780 | $104,750 | 47th |
| MO | 6,940 | $103,490 | 48th |
| SC | 3,140 | $102,850 | 49th |
| AL | 4,300 | $102,410 | 50th |
| TN | 11,360 | $95,120 | 51st |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on August 27, 2022