Nurse Practitioners Salary in California
Nurse Practitioners in California earn a median annual wage of $168,520 —27.4% above the national median of $132,300. That ranks CA #1 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.66× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for nurse practitioners
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $168,520 | $81.02 | 25,120 | 0.66 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $159,310 | $76.59 | 9,950 | 1.12 |
| 3 | Washington | $156,100 | $75.05 | 6,700 | 0.91 |
| 4 | Oregon | $155,680 | $74.85 | 2,820 | 0.69 |
| 5 | Alaska | $155,170 | $74.60 | 710 | 1.04 |
| 6 | New York | $153,510 | $73.80 | 22,890 | 1.14 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $142,440 | $68.48 | 8,070 | 1.07 |
| 8 | Nevada | $140,670 | $67.63 | 1,930 | 0.60 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $138,470 | $66.57 | 3,750 | 1.06 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $137,550 | $66.13 | 1,770 | 1.24 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $55,110 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $62,930 |
| Pharmacists | $164,610 | $140,910 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in California?
The median annual wage for nurse practitioners in California is $168,520, or $81.02 per hour. That is 27.4% above the national median of $132,300.
What is the entry-level nurse practitioners salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $120,340 per year ($57.86/hour). The 25th percentile is $145,980.
How many people work as nurse practitioners in California?
About 25,120 people work in this occupation in California, or 1.4 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for nurse practitioners?
California ranks #1 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.66x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays nurse practitioners the most?
California has the highest median wage at $168,520 per year, followed by New Jersey ($159,310) and Washington ($156,100).