Nursing Salaries: How Much Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Make?
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- Family nurse practitioners must hold a master's degree in nursing (MSN) at a minimum.
- Some FNPs decide to pursue a doctorate in nursing (DNP) to increase career opportunities.
- Jobs for NPs are projected to grow much faster than the average for all U.S. jobs.
As their titles suggest, family nurse practitioners (FNP) provide primary care services to patients across the lifespan, be they children, adults, or seniors. Rather than specializing in a niche nursing area such as mental health, obstetrics, or psychiatry, FNPs provide generalist services.
While many FNPs earn six figure salaries, factors that can affect earnings include level of experience, title, employer, and location. Whether a student is in college or recently graduated and looking for career advice, keep reading to find valuable information on salaries.
What Is the Average Family Nurse Practitioner Salary?
Family nurse practitioner salaries vary based on specialty area, location, and many other factors. We look at three career areas to give students considering their options information on which to base their decisions — and salary negotiations.
- Family Nurse Practitioner: $100,970
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner: $110,940
- Adult Nurse Practitioner: $102,860
What Are the Highest-Paying Family Nurse Practitioner Specialties?
All NPs must hold at minimum a master's degree in nursing. They must also be certified as an FNP by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners or the American Nurses Credentialing Center to earn state licensure. We look at some of the highest-paying areas below.
| Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty | Average or Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner | $94,230 as of July 2022 |
| Women's Health Nurse Practitioner | $96,140 as of July 2022 |
| Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner | $90,300 as of May 2022 |
| Adult Nurse Practitioner | $102,860 as of July 2022 |
| Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | $105,990 as of July 2022 |
How Much Do Family Nurse Practitioners Make in Your State?
As the table below demonstrates, salaries for individuals in careers similar to family nurse practitioners can vary widely based on location. Those that are looking to increase their earning potential may need to consider relocating to maximize their salary.
Family Nurse Practitioner Salary Medians by State
Data sourced fromZipRecruiter
Editor's Note: Some of these salary numbers may be based on relatively small samples, and potential nursing salaries could vary widely depending on the employer. Reach out to a relevant professional nursing organization for more information about potential salaries in your area.
Job Growth for Family Nurse Practitioners
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs for nurse practitioners will grow by 52% between 2020-2030, leading to the addition of nearly 115,000 new roles from 2020-2030. As a top job for existing nurses and career changers, FNP positions are a great opportunity. Those looking for their first FNP job after their master's or DNP program may get many options. Much of this growth is due to larger-than-average baby boomer populations combined with existing FNPs retiring or changing positions.
Nurse Practitioner Degrees for You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
What Family Nurse Practitioner Field Pays the Most?
FNPs working in state, local, and private hospitals tend to earn the highest median salaries, with wages reaching $128,190 in these settings as of 2021. Approximately 26% of FNP professionals work in these settings, making it possible for individuals looking for higher salaries to transfer into a hospital role. Other top-paying industries include:
- Outpatient care centers
- Offices of physicians
- Offices of other health practitioners
- State, local, and private educational services
Does More Education Lead to a Higher Family Nurse Practitioner Salary?
MSN Salary
To work as a family nurse practitioner, or any type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), professionals must hold at least a master's degree. While a bachelor's degree preps graduates for RN roles, they cannot expect to earn the same high salaries as their NP counterparts. In addition to FNP positions, other roles available to MSN program graduates include:
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric nurse practitioners work in varied settings and support patients with mental health conditions such as substance misuse, mood disorders, ADHD, and schizophrenia. In addition to evaluating patients and monitoring progress, they work closely with psychiatrists on treatment plans. Another key role of this position includes managing patient medication.
$113,580
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
With a focus on supporting women patients, these nurses can work in areas such as reproductive health, obstetrics, oncology, and various other areas related to women's health. They frequently work with specialized physicians to provide care and develop courses of action.
$96,800
Adult Nurse Practitioner
Adult nurse practitioners work with patients aged 21 and over. They provide a spectrum of services, including physical examinations, ordering diagnostic tests and prescribing medications. They also develop comprehensive care plans.
$102,860
DNP Salary
While a DNP is not necessary to work as an FNP, some individuals decide to enroll in a DNP program to pursue roles based in research, academics, or leadership. These programs typically require three years of study and offer access to higher salaries and more responsibility. Some career paths include:
Director, Nursing
These professionals typically work in hospitals, clinics, and other care-providing facilities to oversee nursing units. Rather than focusing on patient care, their tasks revolve around scheduling, budgeting, meeting regulatory requirements, and providing training.
$93,910
Dean of Nursing
Deans of nursing work in academic settings to oversee schools of nursing. Along with hiring academic staff, providing standards reviews, coordinating budgets, and potentially teaching, these professionals must keep up with all legal and regulatory requirements around graduation and licensure.
$113,400
Nursing Manager
Nursing managers typically work directly under directors of nursing to carry out similar administrative tasks at a lower level. Whether working in a hospital, long-term care facility, or physician's office, nursing managers handle the supervision of fellow nurses.
$89,670
Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Practitioner Salaries
What is the difference between a nurse practitioner and a family nurse practitioner?
The term "nurse practitioner" covers a spectrum of specialties across myriad health disciplines. These can include neonatal, pediatrics, women's health, adult-geriatric care, and psychiatric mental health. The title of nurse practitioner is more generalist in nature. In contrast, family nurse practitioner denotes advanced practice registered nurses who specifically work in family medicine.While family nurse practitioners can still work in various healthcare settings, they typically function in primary care provider roles rather than specialized areas.
What kind of NP makes the most money?
According to Payscale, psychiatric nurse practitioners are currently the highest paid NPs with average salaries of $113,580 as of July 2022. Those with less than one year of experience currently earn average salaries of $106,130 per year. Those with 10-19 years of experience can earn an average of $122,050 annually.That said, many NP roles exist that pay six figures. So, individuals considering nurse practitioner roles do not need to work in psychiatric care if it does not speak to their interests. Other areas pay similar salaries.
Are family nurse practitioners doctors?
As their titles suggest, family nurse practitioners are nurses — not doctors. Doctors must complete M.D. or similar educational programs that convey doctoral credentials. They must also participate in extended, multi-year residencies.
That said, NPs can perform some of the same tasks as doctors under their supervision. For instance, NPs can order diagnostic tests, review results, and develop treatment plans based on their findings. They can also prescribe medications and other medical therapies to help improve their patients' wellbeing. But some states have full practice authority, meaning NPs do not need to be supervised by physicians and can work independently. Check your state's requirements for more details.
