The nurse practitioner salary is at a premium level as is the type of worked performed. Nurse Practitioners (NP) are comparable to a physicians assistant in that they diagnose and treat ailments, request and interpret diagnostic studies, plan physical therapy and prescribe medications. NP’s treat both mental and physical conditions and see patients of all ages depending upon the chosen specialization.
| Profession | Median Annual Salary |
| Nurse Practitioner | $90,250 |
Essentially, they have the extensive training and experience level of a primary care physician. Areas of specialization include:
- Orthopedics
- Public Health
- Oncology
- Adult Care
- Dermatology
- Midwife
- Cardiac Care
- Women’s Health
- Occupational Health
- Mental Health
- Family Health
- Pediatrics
- Emergency Care
- Gerontology
Each specialization is separately Board Certified.
Career outlooks are very bright for Nurse Practitioners in every specialization field. Each year the US population continues to grow as well as age. Medical practices expand, but cannot keep up without services extensively trained advanced professional nurses can provide. Practice settings can be in any number of settings such as various clinics, doctors offices, government health agencies, hospices, and any type of school setting to name a few. Location plays a role in the availability of positions. More openings will exist in areas with higher population or population growth.
Nurse Practitioner salary and career opportunities continue to grow and develop depending upon the specializations and location. According to Salary.com, the median salary for an NP is $90,009. The lowest 10% earn $77,531, while the highest 10% earn $103,155. To determine salary in a specific location visit the website and enter location information. NP salaries are also determined by specialization. As an example, NPs in the Orthopedic specialization are in such demand that positions are not being filled as quickly as the need arises. Starting salary in this specialization begins at $81,000 because of high demand. In contrast, Public Health NP’s receive one of the lowest starting salaries at $70,000.
While salaries may vary, education does not. NP’s must have a four year bachelors degree in nursing and be a registered nurse. NP’s must then complete a graduate level nurse practitioner program. Currently, NP programs are available at both master degree and doctoral level. After the graduate work is completed, The candidate must test for certification at the State and national levels. Proposed changes to take effect no sooner than 2015 indicate that a doctorate level will be a future requirement.
The path to becoming an NP is arduous but rewarding in both the nurse practitioner salary and career satisfaction.
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