Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) Salary by State
Compare Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner salaries across all 19 states. Select a state below for detailed percentile breakdowns, cost-of-living adjustments, and specialty comparisons.
Our nursing salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
Data
reviewed by 
sirI, MSN, APRN, NP
for accuracy.
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Salary Rankings — All States
Key Insights: The Cost of Living Reality
While California offers the highest raw salary for AGNPs at $167,331, it is crucial to factor in the state's cost of living (COL index of 142.2). When salaries are adjusted for actual purchasing power, the landscape shifts dramatically.
For example, a AGNP in Kansas making a raw median salary of $122,329 enjoys a COL index of 87.4, effectively giving them a purchasing power of $139,964 compared to the national baseline. States in the South and Midwest often provide a better ratio of income to living expenses, despite appearing lower on the raw salary rankings.
| Rank | State | Median Hourly | Median Annual | COL Adjusted | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California | $79.21 | $167,331 | $117,673 | +32% |
| #2 | Washington | $71.30 | $143,861 | $124,988 | +14% |
| #3 | Delaware | $64.29 | $132,865 | $128,745 | +5% |
| #4 | Hawaii | $65.04 | $131,743 | $68,616 | +4% |
| #5 | Rhode Island | $65.44 | $131,294 | $116,190 | +4% |
| #6 | Pennsylvania | $62.50 | $128,663 | $131,021 | +2% |
| #7 | Vermont | $61.83 | $126,398 | $110,007 | Avg |
| #8 | Ohio | $60.25 | $126,164 | $137,433 | Avg |
| #9 | Utah | $62.68 | $125,664 | $122,599 | -1% |
| #10 | Maine | $60.29 | $125,603 | $112,648 | -1% |
| #11 | Idaho | $61.08 | $125,113 | $125,742 | -1% |
| #12 | Nebraska | $59.67 | $124,858 | $135,128 | -1% |
| #13 | Florida | $58.70 | $122,777 | $119,433 | -3% |
| #14 | Kansas | $58.49 | $122,329 | $139,964 | -3% |
| #15 | Georgia | $59.42 | $121,880 | $136,637 | -4% |
| #16 | Louisiana | $58.20 | $121,207 | $131,746 | -4% |
| #17 | South Carolina | $57.34 | $114,760 | $121,697 | -9% |
| #18 | Tennessee | $50.86 | $107,528 | $119,211 | -15% |
| #19 | Alabama | $53.95 | $105,907 | $120,212 | -16% |
What Is an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)?
An Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) is a board-certified Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who specializes in delivering expert, comprehensive care to patients from adolescence (ages 13+) through the end of life. AGNPs hold a graduate-level degree, either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and are certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). They practice in one of two specialized tracks: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP), focused on health promotion and chronic disease management in outpatient settings, or Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP), focused on diagnosing and treating critically ill or medically complex patients in hospitals and ICUs.
AGNPs are trained to perform comprehensive physical assessments, diagnose acute and chronic conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and develop individualized treatment plans. Unlike Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs), who treat patients across the full lifespan, AGNPs focus specifically on adult and aging populations, giving them deeper expertise in internal medicine and gerontological care. Their responsibilities also span patient education at the individual, family, and community levels, as well as coordinating recommendations for further specialized care.
What sets AGNPs apart is their specialized training in the science of aging. As the U.S. population grows older, the demand for healthcare professionals trained to manage the complex comorbidities of aging adults is rising sharply, driven by the "Silver Tsunami" of aging Baby Boomers requiring specialized care. AGNPs are uniquely equipped to address polypharmacy risks, cognitive and functional decline, chronic disease management, and end-of-life planning, making them one of the most critical and in-demand roles in modern American healthcare. With an average annual wage of $126,629, the profession reflects the high value placed on this expertise across the healthcare system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner salary in the US?
The national median salary for a Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) is $126,629 per year, or approximately $61.61 per hour based on 2023 BLS data.
Which state pays Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners the most?
California offers the highest Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner salary at $167,331 per year, while Alabama is the lowest at $105,906.
What is the starting salary for a Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner?
Entry-level Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners in the US typically start around the 10th percentile, earning a national median of $96,250. With significant experience, top earners in the 90th percentile can make upwards of $162,863 annually.
Does the highest paying state for AGNPs offer the best standard of living?
Not necessarily. While California offers the highest raw salary at $167,331, its high cost of living means your purchasing power is lower. When adjusted for cost of living, states like Kansas and Ohio often provide a better financial return for AGNPs.
How much does a Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner make an hour?
On a national level, a Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner makes a median of $61.61 per hour. However, depending on the state and facility, this can range from $46.27 for new graduates up to $78.30 for highly experienced directors or specialists.
Does a Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner make more than a standard Registered Nurse?
Yes, significantly more. While the national median for a standard Registered Nurse is roughly $93,600, a Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner averages $126,629. This premium compensation reflects the advanced MSN or DNP degree and specialized clinical training required for the role.