This guide compiles current 2026 nurse practitioner compensation data from Advanced Practice Recruiters' active placement activity. APR is the nation's first dedicated APP recruiting firm, founded in 2006, with placements in all 50 states. The figures below reflect base salaries, productivity bonuses, signing bonuses, and benefits we are seeing in actual offers — not survey averages from prior years.
Nurse practitioner compensation in 2026 continues to climb as employer demand outpaces supply, particularly in psychiatry (PMHNP), acute care (AGACNP), and family medicine (FNP) in full-practice states.
2026 NP Base Salary Ranges by Subspecialty
Family NP (FNP) — primary care: $105K–$135K base, $115K–$155K total comp.
Family NP — urgent care: $115K–$145K base, $130K–$170K total comp.
Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP) — outpatient: $130K–$165K base, $145K–$210K total comp; telehealth premiums add $10K–$25K.
PMHNP — inpatient: $140K–$180K base, $160K–$220K total comp.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP) — hospitalist: $130K–$165K base, $150K–$200K total comp; nights and weekends add 15–25%.
AGACNP — ICU/critical care: $135K–$170K base, $155K–$205K total comp.
Women's Health NP (WHNP): $105K–$135K base, $115K–$155K total comp.
State practice authority: full-practice states (e.g., AZ, CO, OR, WA, MN, IA, NM) typically pay 5–12% above restricted-practice states for equivalent roles.
Years of experience: 5+ years adds $10K–$25K base; 10+ years adds $20K–$40K, especially in subspecialties.
Productivity model: RVU-based comp can push total comp 20–40% above base in high-volume specialties (derm, urgent care, pain management).
Geography: high-cost metros (NYC, SF Bay, LA, Boston, DC, Seattle) pay 10–20% above national medians; rural and frontier markets often pay similar dollars with substantial loan repayment, sign-on, and relocation.
Sign-on and retention bonuses: $10K–$50K is now standard for full-time roles; $50K–$100K appears in hard-to-fill PMHNP, AGACNP, and rural primary care.
Loan repayment: common in FQHC, IHS, VA, and rural-health roles — often $50K–$200K over 2–4 years.
Benefits to Benchmark
Beyond base and bonus, APR benchmarks the following on every offer: medical/dental/vision (employer share), 401(k) match (typically 3–6%), CME allowance ($2K–$5K), CME days (5–10), PTO (20–35 days), malpractice (occurrence vs claims-made + tail), licensure and DEA reimbursement, productivity floor and ramp, and partnership/equity track where applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average NP salary in 2026?
Across all NP subspecialties and geographies, APR is seeing 2026 base salaries cluster around $115K–$140K, with total compensation averaging $130K–$165K once productivity, sign-on, and benefits are included. PMHNP, AGACNP, and pain management roles run materially higher.
Do PMHNPs make more than other NPs?
Yes. PMHNP base salaries currently run $130K–$165K outpatient and $140K–$180K inpatient — among the highest of any NP subspecialty — driven by acute demand and limited supply.
What is the highest-paid NP specialty?
In APR's 2026 placement data, the highest base ranges are in PMHNP (especially inpatient and telehealth), AGACNP critical care, dermatology with productivity, and interventional pain management.
Do NPs get paid more in full-practice states?
On average, yes — typically 5–12% above restricted-practice states for the same role, because employers in full-practice states can deploy NPs to a fuller scope without supervising-physician overhead.