Members are discussing the salaries and job opportunities for nurse practitioners in different specialties, such as primary care and psychiatric mental health. Some members are comparing the pay differences between different NP specialties, while others are sharing their personal experiences and reasons for choosing a specific specialty. Overall, the discussion revolves around the factors influencing NP career choices, including salary, job satisfaction, and personal interest in a particular field.
Transparency is important so we can negotiate. As a new grad nurse practitioner I accepted a ridiculously low paying position and I assumed that was the pay in the new city I move to. I have grown over the past couple years and I understand I was taken advantage of. I hope that this doesn't happen to others. Therefore, I believe it is critical we know what other nurse practitioners are being compensated so we are able to negotiate our salary and benefits packages.
I'm an FNP-C in Houston area working in Surgery (first assist, preop, and follow up post op care) Salary is 110k (negotiating to 115k), 3 weeks pto, 9 paid holidays, 1500 CME/yr, paid DEA, malpractice, 401k without match, 4 day work week (40-50hrs), on-call practically all the time (but only get calls on surgery days 2-3days/week). Overall I'm happy with the work I do.
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
gcupid said:
I'm sorry but this is horrible.
$50-60 per hour is about $100-120K per year if FT. That is not bad for a brand new NP. Pay will go up with experience.
Unfortunately, pediatrics tends to be a poorly paid specialty, even for MDs.
This highlights the importance of doing research on pay per NP specialty when deciding whether or not to become an NP. Also, new grad NPs with RN experience may take a pay cut or only make a little more at first because they are starting a brand new career.
$50-60 per hour is about $100-120K per year if FT. That is not bad for a brand new NP. Pay will go up with experience.
Unfortunately, pediatrics tends to be a poorly paid specialty, even for MDs.
This highlights the importance of doing research on pay per NP specialty when deciding whether or not to become an NP. Also, new grad NPs with RN experience may take a pay cut or only make a little more at first because they are starting a brand new career.
$50 per hour is 100,000 per year if you work 40 hours per week and take off only 2 weeks per year. That's literally miserable. If you take 4-6 weeks and work 35 hours (9-5 with 1 hour for lunch) you make only 82K a year. A joke!
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
MentalKlarity said:
$50 per hour is 100,000 per year if you work 40 hours per week and take off only 2 weeks per year. That's literally miserable. If you take 4-6 weeks and work 35 hours (9-5 with 1 hour for lunch) you make only 82K a year. A joke!
Agreed, but my point that people who want to be NPs should research their likely pay stands.
Also, pay varies by location. The OP said she is in MD, so I am surprised by her low pay. MD generally pays decently. It might depend on where in MD she is and also, peds is a lower paying specialty
When I was in nursing school from 2013 to 2016, psych hospitals in the Baltimore area were starting new PMHNPs around $150K per year, which is good for a new grad. If I recall correctly, back then a new grad FNP or AGPCNP could expect around $100K for a FT job w/benefits. The pay should be higher now.
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
MentalKlarity said:
Massive oversupply of NPs = salary falls overtime. No one advocating for these joke diploma mill schools seems to understand that.
I am sick of the diploma mills, as well.
Out of curiousity, I checked job listings for NPs on Indeed in MD and overall pay has increased since I was there. Generally pay is around $110K to $150K per year. Some specialties, like psych and pain, pay more. Saw an NP position in a pain mgt practice, FT w/benefits, up to $200K per year. Several PT positions in different specialties up to $100 per hour. CVS paying $50-$103 per hour for FT NPs. Wound care position up to $250K per year FT. So, there are positions that pay well in MD.
I think doing the FNP provides more employment options. I obtained an AGPCNP originally. If I had stayed in that role instead of becoming PMHNP, I would have done a post-master's certificate to become an FNP. There are fewer positions for PNP and as previously stated, peds tends to pay lower than other specialties.
New grad PMHNP in Utah making $110,000/year. Great benefits and awesome mentorship. I know it's a low starting, but the experience makes it worth it to me. No CME credit though. 4 weeks PTO, 40/hrs a week, on call 1-2 times/month. Definitely not a long term gig, but it's great for getting my feet wet.
Wow I love this! Could we get some more people to post in here with more recent salary? 🙏🙏
I'm a mom of 2 littles trying to go back to work and having a hard time figuring out what pay to expect. I found this today on reddit which was a good starting point.... soo much salary info (including the benefits) which I really appreciate! Stuff like that matters just as much as the salary $$ for me and my family.
Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
^ I too have see that link in reddit. The site looks kinda legit, but there were comments about how it was asking for full name, phone number, etc. I went to post my salary on that site but did not feel comfortable posting any of my info.
I thought I posted my salary in this thread but I guess not. Here it is!
Full time rehab NP in the SNF setting here in Southern California.
Salaried - 126k; started off as a new grad. Pending to be changed to per patient ratio soon
On paper, 5 days a week, 40 hours/week, see about 120 patients per week
More accurately, 4 days a week, ~ 20-25 hours/week, see about 110-130 patients per week (you make your own schedule)
Experience - Will be hitting 1 year with this employer and PM&R specialty (rehab/pain mgt) next week. Total NP experience is 2.5 years
15 days PTO per year; sick, bereavement, and PTO all combined
1500/year reimbursement for CME, license, and DEA renewal
Mal practice coverage provided
401k plan
Health insurance provided/covered
I also work a per diem, 1099 contracting job with an s-corp as a medical examiner for a DNP (we have a contract with the VA).
On paper 4-6 hours, 1 day per week either on Saturday or Sunday
Paid per chart/appointment in which pay is 40, 50, 75, etc per chart depending on the circumstances. But for the sake of averageness, it's about 2-3k per month
No benefits whatsoever
Self scheduling - you provide your days/hourly availability and they will try and schedule appointments. Sometimes inconsistent, but that's a story for another time
Had no experience prior to starting, none was required. Been with this doc for almost 2 years now.
Freshly graduated from a DNP-FNP program in NYC, I secured my first FNP position in an outpatient setting with a negotiated salary of $160K plus a 10% fixed bonus, along with CME, PTO, vacation, and sick days. The downside is the need to rotate between three locations—Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn, while managing a heavy patient load.
I am an FNP student graduating in May 2026 in the NYC area and I started following this thread to get a better idea of the range of salaries for new grad FNPs in the area. It seems the range is anywhere between $140,000-$160,000. If anyone can provide any insight to the hospital systems/ types of positions that tend to offer more competitive salaries it would be appreciated.
FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP
2 Articles; 1,950 Posts
$50-60 per hour is about $100-120K per year if FT. That is not bad for a brand new NP. Pay will go up with experience.
Unfortunately, pediatrics tends to be a poorly paid specialty, even for MDs.
This highlights the importance of doing research on pay per NP specialty when deciding whether or not to become an NP. Also, new grad NPs with RN experience may take a pay cut or only make a little more at first because they are starting a brand new career.