Nurse practitioner salary report: How much do NPs make?
August 21, 2026
If you're a nurse practitioner wondering whether your paycheck is keeping pace, the data says barely. According to Medscape's 2025 APRN Compensation Report—a survey of 2,453 APRNs, including 1,543 NPs—NPs earned an average total compensation of $133,000 in 2024, with a base salary of $123,000. Published in November 2025, it is the most recent publicly available data on nurse practitioner compensation.
But the number moved in the wrong direction. NP total compensation fell 1.5% in 2024—the weakest showing of any APRN category—and is up just 14.7% cumulatively since 2021, trailing every other APRN group except nurse midwives.
Do NPs feel fairly paid?
More than half of NPs surveyed (53%) say they don't feel fairly compensated for the work they do, the highest share of any APRN category and a meaningful jump from the year before. Almost half (46%) say their pay falls short of what they actually need, tied for the highest share of any APRN group.
I find myself overworked, underpaid, and often misunderstood.
NP salary growth trends by experience
Many NPs start to hit an earnings ceiling around the 10-year mark. NPs with six to 10 years of experience earn $142,000 on average. That climbs to $154,000 for NPs with 11 to 20 years, but from there, it barely moves: NPs with 21-plus years in the profession earn $155,000, just $1,000 more than the bracket before it.
In other words, tenure alone stops paying dividends somewhere around year ten. To increase their earnings, many NPs may need to rely on levers other than time on the job.
The real lever: Employer type
The clearest lever isn't tenure; it's who signs the paycheck. NPs working as independent contractors earned $185,000 on average in 2024, compared to $155,000 at a hospital system, $145,000 at a medical group, and $131,000 in private NP practice. That's a $54,000 gap between the highest- and lowest-paying employer types.
Pay structure matters too: Hourly NPs out-earned salaried NPs by roughly $19,000 on average ($168,000 vs. $149,000).
One important consideration before going independent is that higher independent contractor pay often means giving up the benefits that come with a W-2 role, such as health insurance, retirement contributions, and automatic tax withholdings. However, that’s not always the case. Some locum tenens agencies like Weatherby Healthcare hire NPs as W-2 employees with all of the same benefits.
Locumstory's Trends by Specialty tool estimates the NP locum pay range at $65 – $115 per hour, with surgical and critical-care assignments trending higher and family practice and urgent care trending lower. For comparison, the average national hourly wage for non-locum NPs sits at $66.01 an hour ($137,300 a year), based on BLS data specifically for nurse practitioners. The low end of locums pay effectively starts at about the same level, with high-income growth opportunities from there.
Locum tenens without the 1099 tradeoff
Most of the industry's writing about locums and pay assumes you'll take on 1099 independent contractor status and the do-it-yourself tax planning and loss of benefits that come with it. But locum tenens with Weatherby doesn't force a choice between higher pay and a traditional benefits package.
The reason I chose Weatherby was because it's a W-2 agency. So I also get healthcare insurance and a 401(k), and they take the taxes out without me having to stress about it.
You have to factor in benefits if you're working locums. Benefits are money.
It’s important to note that not every NP will make top dollar on every locum tenens assignment. Actual pay varies by specialty, experience, location, market conditions, and the jobs you are willing to accept. Some locum assignments in hard-to-reach rural facilities, for example, often pay higher rates than popular urban locations. Ultimately, how much you earn depends on your individual goals and preferences.
If you're looking to go into locums because you think you're going to get significantly more money, I haven't found that to be true, but it's enough to make it worthwhile.
The benefits of locums beyond pay
Pay is what attracts many NPs to locum tenens, but those who continue usually emphasize the flexibility and control over their schedules.
I think I've had more vacation time since I started working as a locum than I ever had doing any other job I've ever had. The pay is good, so you can do that and not have to make too many sacrifices. You can afford to take two months off if you want to.
I’m able to choose where I want to be within the context of the seasonal changes. When it's winter, I can work in Hawaii.
Hear from your peers: 8 reasons NPs work locum tenens
Nurse practitioner salary FAQ
How much does an NP make a year?
NPs earned an average total compensation of $133,000 in 2024 (base salary $123,000), according to Medscape's 2025 APRN Compensation Report, the most recent nurse practitioner compensation data publicly available.
What are the total earnings for a nurse practitioner?
Total NP earnings vary considerably by employer type and pay structure. In 2024, average total compensation ranged from $131,000 for NPs in private practice to $185,000 for NPs working as independent contractors, with hourly-paid NPs out-earning salaried NPs by about $19,000 on average.
Do NPs get paid more as independent contractors?
On average, yes. Independent contractor NPs earned $185,000 in 2024, compared to $155,000 at hospital systems, $145,000 at medical groups, and $131,000 in private practice. But independent contractor pay usually comes at the cost of employer-provided benefits. Locum tenens work with Weatherby is structured differently: Locum NPs are hired as W-2 employees, so you can access locum-level pay without giving up health insurance, retirement contributions, or automatic tax withholding.
Can NPs work locum tenens part time?
Yes. NPs can work locum tenens assignments on the side, alongside a permanent position, or as a full-time career. The flexibility of locum tenens is part of the appeal for many NPs weighing their options.
Ready to get started? Explore today's NP locum tenens opportunities, or give us a call at 954.343.3050 to speak with a consultant.
Compensation figures in this article are national averages and vary by specialty, location, experience, and market conditions. Run your own numbers before making a decision about your next role.
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