PMHNP- Salary expectations

michellebreann123 · May 25, 2018

Hello! My grandmother has worked as a PMHNP for over 20 years and has made 150-240 depending upon her hours. My mother has been a PMHNP for 6 years and working 5 10's 4 10's for one company and 1 10 a week for another made 240 last year. I am getting my BSN now and will be starting a PMHNP program later this year and my company starts all the new NPs at 150. Psych is specialized and I have always known providers to make really good money.

Mameoki · May 30, 2018

Hi michellebreann123 what company is this that you speak of that pays new grads 150?

Jules A, MSN · May 30, 2018

Hello! My grandmother has worked as a PMHNP for over 20 years and has made 150-240 depending upon her hours. My mother has been a PMHNP for 6 years and working 5 10's 4 10's for one company and 1 10 a week for another made 240 last year. I am getting my BSN now and will be starting a PMHNP program later this year and my company starts all the new NPs at 150. Psych is specialized and I have always known providers to make really good money.

This has been my experience also however the recent glut in our specialty is driving rates down in my area of DC, Maryland and VA. There are so many now and the medication I see being ordered on patients I admit to my unit is unfortunate. Quality is going down as quantity exponentially goes up in my anecdotal experience. Buyer beware.

SummitRN, BSN, RN · May 30, 2018

the recent glut in our specialty is driving rates down in my area of DC

https://www.nursingworld.org/~499e5e/globalassets/docs/ancc/2017-certification-data-for-website.pdf

2017 data

9.1% increase in PMH NP/CNS

5.5% increase in primary care NP/CNS

11.1% increase in acute care NP

GradNP · Jun 1, 2018

It depends if you're a 1099 employee or a W2 and what the needs of your family will be when done.

A. If you don't need the benefits of medical dental etc, salary is higher if 1099 hourly rate or better yet do a split i.e 80/20 ideal gross and have the company include the expenses in their 20%. In this scenario, then the 200K plus is possible full time, but downside is file your own taxes more frequently, pay your own ssi, work comp i.e., retain a CPA to help with business plan, write off other business expenses i.e use home office, phone, internet, etc. Ideally if married, and spouse is w2 employee use your spouse's benefits and then maximize your earning potential as a 1099.

B. If you need the benefits, then what I've seen salaries ranging from 120k (yuk) to 170k plus benefits, not too shabby. But sometimes only the employee is covered not family.

Vistarob · Jun 13, 2019

It is true that you can make a good bit of money working on a 1099, but it depends on your area and I would caution doing so for new grads. If you do get involved in a 1099, be prepared to pay your own taxes, malpractice, benefits, time off, CME, and so on.... I understand that all of you know that there is more to working a job than making money, but from most of the PMHNP posts I see on here it seems otherwise. While its important to make a good living at what you do, please do not go into psych for the money because I promise you will not be a happy camper. After doing this for a while now, I would say that who you work with is just as critical as salary. I have seen several individuals come into the psych field only to find themselves miserable. Many of them are going back to get an FNP certification. I'm not trying to suggest that this field be avoided, but know what your getting into and love it before you do it. If you could make 80k as an FNP or 120k as a PMHNP, but prefer the job of a FNP then please do that. It's not worth the extra money, you will be happier and healthier, and your patients will be better served. One of the many wonderful things about being a nurse is that it's not too difficult to change specialties. I would encourage any NP student who has the slightest doubt to get the FNP first, and then once you get some experience go back and get the PMHNP certification.

bryanleo9 · Jun 14, 2019

Psych nursing is a small niche community. Most RN's want nothing to do with mental health. There are plenty of great quality programs. The PMHNP are making $100+ an hour through registry and many make 130 - 170K a year in my area.... more in south parts of California.

FNP are being hired as low as 99K a year. One market is flooded and the other needs NP's badly. I think you can figure out which one via the pay.

bryanleo9 · Jun 14, 2019

it all depends on your location.

Vistarob · Jun 14, 2019

I just saw an opportunity for a PMHNP in San Diego. Outpatient w/no call and a salary of $180k/yr. Sounds pretty good until you take a look at the cost of living out there. If you're deciding on what specialty to pursue please don't let the numbers decide what you will be doing almost everyday for the rest of your working life. I know countless FNPs, ACNPs, PNPs, and PMHNPs and all of them live comfortable lives. Pick the specialty that best fits your personality and strengths, and remember that there's no such thing as a free lunch.

DrCOVID, DNP · Oct 15, 2019

On 6/13/2019 at 9:18 PM, bryanleo9 said:
it all depends on your location.

as well as benefits, structure (hosp/clinic), contract (negotiate), patient load, for profit/not-for profit, etc...

juviasama · Oct 16, 2019

Pmhnp, on average, pay higher than fnp/pnp because of higher reinbursement. Best wishes for your prigram and job search.

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 19, 2019

Please note posts have either been edited or removed as off-topic.

The topic is: PMHNP- Salary expectations.

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