Nurse Practitioner Salary Guide and Career Outlook


Nurse Practitioners earn an average of $95,350 yearly. In the United States, the lowest paid ten percent earn around $68,830 while the highest ten percent earned $131,050. Nurse practitioners in Canada earn an average of C$87,1115 yearly while those in the UK earn an average of £29,255 annually. In Australia, nurse practitioners  earn an average of AU$106,120.

Nurse practitioners are paid differently based on the country they live in. Besides location, a nurse practitioner salary depends on years of education and place of work. Since nurse practitioners have a graduate education, they all will earn more than a nurse with a four-year degree alone, or a BSN. Nurse practitioners with more experience earn more than those new to the profession. Those who work in hospitals will earn more than those who work in private practices.


If you decide that a nurse practitioner career is for you, you should know every aspect of the salary and outlook of the career. This guide will cover every aspect that influences the nurse practitioner salary.

How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make Per Year By Country?

Nurse Practitioner Salary US Canada UK Australia New Zealand India South Africa
Hourly Pay $48 C$41 £14 AU$51 NZ$32 Rs67 R149
Annual Pay $100,041 C$87,115 £29,255 AU$106,120 NZ$67,000 Rs140,353 R311,592

Nurse Practitioner Salary Influencing Factors

Experience, education, and location all influence the nurse practitioner salary. In some countries, nurse practitioners who work in high demand areas earn more. Nurse practitioners can choose to advance their education and earn a doctorate, which will result in a higher salary. Most states pay the most experienced nurse practitioners higher salaries.

1. Location

How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make in the U.S.?

In the United States, a nurse practitioner can live well. The salary depends on the location. Alaska nurse practitioners have one of the highest salaries. Nurse practitioners in metropolitan or urban areas earn more with their salaries going up to $125,450. The average is about $100,041.

How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make In Canada?

A nurse practitioner’s salary in Canada averages at C$87,115. The range is between C$47,010 and C$111,408. Some nurse practitioners are able to earn a bonus. A nurse practitioner with up to four years of experience can earn between C$45,769 and C$88,563. A nurse practitioner with five to nine years experience can earn up to C$93,483.

How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make in the UK?

The average nurse practitioner’s salary in the UK is between 13,268 and 45,983 with the average being 29,255. An entry level nurse practitioner’s salary will start at 12,557 and earn up to 41,015. A nurse practitioner with more experience will make 17,398 and 42,929.

How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make in Australia?

Payscale reports a nurse practitioner’s salary to be between AU$58,018 and AU$111,103 with the average being around AU$106,120 in Australia. The Victorian Government Health Information states that full-time nurse practitioners earn more than AU$90,000, including benefits and bonuses.

How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make in New Zealand?

A nurse practitioner salary in New Zealand ranges from NZ$67,000 to NZ$110,000. They are senior nurses with the most experience. They earn a bit more than an experienced registered nurse with three to five years on the job who would earn about NZ$64,000.

How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make in India?

A nurse practitioner in India will earn a median income is Rs140,353 yearly. The advanced degree required for nurse practitioners in India gives them a higher average income than registered nurses.

How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make in South Africa?

An Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner will earn between R132,000 and R311,592. A basic nurse practitioner’s salary in South Africa is between R111,285 and R314,213. Nurse practitioners in South Africa are the highest paid nurses earning more than experienced Registered Nurses with over 10 years on the job.

2. Experience

A beginner nurse practitioner may earn an average of $84,000 per year. With less than one year experience, a nurse practitioner salary ranges from $57,252 and $97,978. A nurse practitioner with one to four years of experience will earn between $61,809 and $97,609. A nurse practitioner with over 20 years experience can earn over $100,000.

Since nurse practitioners have advanced degrees, they will usually earn more than a registered nurse without the advanced training. A nurse practitioner will spend an additional two to four years in school. The requirement of becoming a registered nurse includes passing the National Council Licensure Examination or the NCLEX-RN. Registered nurses complete a minimum of two to four years of schooling before they can take the exam.

3. Industry

Nurse practitioners work in many different fields. Some may work in hospitals or private practices, schools and universities, government offices, or with other nurse practitioners. About 15% of nurse practitioners have their own private practices.

Other places where nurse practitioners can work include healthcare technology companies, teaching, or working in research. Nurse practitioners who work in physician offices earn an average of $99,760. Those work in health care centers may earn about $103,710 a year. Nurse practitioners who work in hospitals earn an average $105,690. Those who work in specialty clinics have some of the highest earning potentials with an average of $117,690.

Schedule and Working Hours

Most nurse practitioners work full time. Since they can work in so many different locations, schedules may vary. Depending on their place of work, they may have to work evenings and weekends, creating an unconventional schedule. Some work on call, scheduled like physicians.

Bonuses and Benefits

Nurse practitioners have the opportunity to earn bonuses in many countries. Most earn full benefits as well. What sets nurse practitioners apart from registered nurses is that they can perform many of the same duties as a doctor such as performing physicals, ordering diagnostics, and prescribing medication. They can work without the supervision of a doctor.

In Australia, full-time nurse practitioners receive benefits such as leave loading and qualification allowances. They may also receive incentives such as shift allowances. In the UK, a nurse practitioner can earn a bonus of about £300.00. South African nurse practitioners can get a salary bonus about R20,623.

Career Outlook

The outlook of nurse practitioners should grow over 30% through the year 2024, faster than average. The need for nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses is expected to grow due to the retirement of the baby boom population. With the number of baby boomers retiring, the demand for advanced practice nurses will continue to grow.

In areas where fewer nurse practitioners work, the demand may be higher. In Alaska, one of the states with the lowest number of nurse practitioners, the pay is one of the highest. The demand for nurse practitioners all over the world is expected to continue to grow due to the rising demands of health care.

Conclusion

Nurse practitioners have to complete many years of training, but the education pays off. They are able to work without the supervision of a doctor and many have their own private practices. The demand for advanced practice nurses is expected to grow over 30% for the next several years.

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