verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Nurse Practitioner Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$168,520/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$81.02/hr
▲ 27% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
25,120
public U.S. Median
$132,300
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$152,204 #1 of 51

Nurse Practitioner pay in California, explained

Nurse practitioners in California earn a median of $168,520 per year ($81.02 per hour), which is 27% above the national median of $132,300. Entry-level workers earn around $120,340, while the most experienced nurse practitioners reach about $240,830. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $168,520 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $168,520 is worth about $152,204 in national buying power — ranking California #1 for real pay (vs #1 on the sticker number).

See the full Nurse Practitioner Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Nurse Practitioner pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$120,340
$57.86/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$168,520
$81.02/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$240,830
$115.78/hr

Nurse Practitioner pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $168,520 $152,204
Oregon $155,680 $150,618 +$12,840
Nevada $140,670 $140,700 +$27,850
Arizona $134,420 $133,516 +$34,100

Nurse Practitioner in California: FAQ

How much do nurse practitioners make in California?

Nurse practitioners in California earn a median of $168,520 per year ($81.02 per hour), compared with $132,300 nationally.

Does California pay nurse practitioners well?

At $168,520, California pays 27% above the national median for nurse practitioners. An estimated 25,120 work in the state.

Nurse Practitioner salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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