Nurse Practitioner Salary in California: $168,520 Median (May 2025)
Nurse practitioners in California earn a median of $168,520 per year — $81.02 an hour — $36,220 above the national NP median of $132,300, ranking #1 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of California NPs earn between $120,340 and $240,830. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
California NP pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of California NPs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New NPs typically start near the left edge.
NP vs RN Pay in California
The median NP in California out-earns the median RN by $28,250 per year (20%). Same state, same license underneath — the difference is the graduate degree and the scope that comes with it.
Compare California With Any State
Weighing a move, telehealth, or a compact-state license? Put California side by side with any other NP market.
| May 2025 BLS | California | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $168,520 | $131,670 |
| Median hourly wage | $81.02/hr | $63.31/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $120,340 | $96,880 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $209,350 | $147,660 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $240,830 | $161,980 |
| NPs employed | 25,120 | 25,970 |
The NP path starts with an RN license
Every NP passed the NCLEX first. If you’re earlier on the ladder: compare California’s board-approved nursing programs by real first-time pass rates, and see the full earning ladder from CNA to CRNA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in California?
NPs in California earn a median of $168,520 per year — $81.02 per hour — $36,220 above the national NP median of $132,300 (BLS May 2025). That ranks California #1 of 51 states and D.C. by median NP pay.
How much more do NPs make than RNs in California?
The median NP in California earns $168,520 versus $140,270 for the median RN — a difference of $28,250 per year (20%). The step up requires a master's or doctoral NP program on top of the RN license.
What is a starting NP salary in California?
New NPs generally start near the lower percentiles: in California, the 10th percentile is $120,340 and the 25th percentile is $145,980. Most NPs move toward the $168,520 median within their first several years of practice.
How many nurse practitioners work in California?
25,120 nurse practitioners are employed in California per the BLS May 2025 estimates.