25 Best States for Nurse Practitioners in 2024

Written By: Darby Faubion BSN, RN

Are you a nurse practitioner or considering becoming one? Do you love where you live, or are you open to moving to a place where nurse practitioners are needed? If so, you may be wondering, "What are the best states to be a nurse practitioner?” Factors such as salary, job outlook, potential employment opportunities, and the extent to which an NP can practice independently help determine the best state to be a nurse practitioner. As you continue reading, you will find the 25 best states for nurse practitioners in 2024, find out their earning potential, and the ten-year job outlook for each state.

Ranking Methodology – How We Ranked the Best States for Nurse Practitioners?

To rank the best states for nurse practitioners, our team focused on four factors and assigned a percentage weight to each. Two of the most important things individuals consider when choosing a career are their potential income and whether there is a good job outlook. Because of this, we assigned a total of sixty percent to the average nurse practitioner salary and the 10-year nurse practitioner job outlook, thirty percent each, for each of the top 25 states. Annual job openings were assigned a twenty percent weight, as was the state's nurse practitioner practice authority.

Factor		Weightage
Average NP Salary		30%
10-Year NP Job Outlook		30%
Annual NP Job Openings		20%
NP Practice Authority		20%
Full	70%
Reduced	30%
Restricted	0%

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Why Did We consider the Following Factors to Rank the Best States for Nurse Practitioners?

Average Nurse Practitioner Salary (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics):

One of the driving factors behind a career choice is earning potential, and having accurate information is essential. Because of this, we chose to use the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as a source to report salaries as we discuss the best states for nurse practitioners. The BLS is an independent agency that collects and analyzes data and determines statistics used by the U.S. Department of Labor, local, state, and federal agencies, the general public, and Congress.

10-Year Nurse Practitioner Job Outlook (Careeronestop.org):

A career choice is one of the most important decisions a person makes. Knowing the long-term job outlook for your chosen career means you can anticipate whether the occupation is something you can count on for years to come and make an informed decision about pursuing it. Our team chose to use data from CareerOneStop to find the expected employment outlook for nurse practitioners.

Annual Nurse Practitioner Job Openings (Careeronestop.org):

We also chose to use CareerOneStop to find the number of anticipated annual job openings for nurse practitioners. Knowing the job outlook and potential for job openings will help you find the best states for nurse practitioners. The number of potential job openings listed in the tables throughout this article is based on yearly new or replacement jobs that are projected to become available.

Nurse Practitioner Practice Authority (American Association of Nurse Practitioners):

Nurse practitioners need to have a clear understanding of how state laws affect their right to practice. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners is the go-to source for nurse practitioner information, including the extent to which an NP has the authority to practice. Nurse practitioners are granted practice authority on one of three levels: restricted, reduced, and full practice authority.

WHAT ARE THE BEST STATES FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN 2024?

(Based on the above-mentioned ranking methodology, the following are the 25 Best States to work as a Nurse Practitioner in 2024.)

1. New York

Nurse practitioners in the Empire State earn an average of $126,440 a year. The state anticipates an increase in NP jobs by 41.28% or 1,640 jobs annually each of the next ten years. Nurse practitioners in New York are limited to reduced practice authority. The reduced practice authority in New York stipulates all nurse practitioners must have collaborative relationships with a physician and more than 3,600 hours of experience practicing as a licensed or certified nurse practitioner. Almost seventy percent of the nurse practitioners in New York grew up and earned their degrees in the state then chose to remain there to work, which appears to support the statement that New York is one of the best states to be a nurse practitioner.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$126,440	41.28%	1,640	Reduced

2. Arizona

Arizona is among the states where nurse practitioners enjoy full practice authority. In the state, nurse practitioners may own or operate independent practices or work with other healthcare providers without a collaborative agreement with a physician. NPs in Arizona earn more than $117,000 yearly. There are currently 3,068 licensed nurse practitioners in Arizona, and an increase of 50.90% in jobs is projected in the next decade, with 200 job openings expected each year. The growth in numbers of nurse practitioners in the state comes at a time when healthcare providers are in high demand, especially in rural areas. Currently, 89% of Arizona's nurse practitioners and 75% of primary care physicians work in urban areas, which means providers are needed in rural, underserved areas.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$117,480	50.90%	200	Full

3. Maryland

If you are considering becoming a nurse practitioner and live anywhere near Maryland, you could find the perfect path at some of the best nurse practitioner programs in the country, such as those at Johns Hopkins University, Salisbury University, and the University of Maryland. Nurse practitioners working in Maryland earn approximately $115,240 annually and have full practice authority. The right to practice independently is one reason many nurse practitioners continue to remain in the state after completing their degree programs. The job outlook for NPs in the state is promising, with a projected increase of 34.88% or 390 annually through the next ten years. Offering high employment rates and six-figure incomes to nurse practitioners, Maryland is definitely one of the best states to be a nurse practitioner.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$115,240	34.88%	390	Full

4. Washington

Ranking highly in our list of best states for nurse practitioners, Washington has a ten-year projected job growth of 28.54% increase anticipating at least 480 new and replacement jobs annually and salaries averaging more than $126,000 yearly for nurse practitioners. NPs in the state enjoy full practice authority, as state law recognizes “nurse practitioners are qualified to assume primary responsibility and accountability for the care of patients. ” Washington's population is full of a diverse population of highly educated people with vast cultural and professional experiences where nurse practitioners can become established in independent practice. Although rural communities only make up little more than nineteen percent of Washington state's population, the National Rural Health Association reports healthcare in rural communities is still lacking. Nurse practitioners in Washington find themselves in a position to take advantage of the projected growth in jobs and impact Washington residents' health and wellness by providing services in these underserved communities.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$126,480	28.54%	480	Full

5. Oregon

Oregon is home to more than 6,000 nurse practitioners and is considered an excellent place for anyone pursuing a nursing career, especially nurse practitioners. In the state, NPs have full practice authority and earn nearly $119,000 per year. The demand for healthcare providers in Oregon continues to grow, especially in rural communities where there is pressure to recruit and retain qualified healthcare service providers. This is a positive for nurse practitioners practicing in the state who can expect to see more than two hundred jobs added yearly for the next decade, increasing 31.98%.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$118,600	31.98%	210	Full

6. California

California comes in at the top of the list for one of the best states to be a nurse practitioner. California has a population of nearly 40 million people but is projected to be short at least 8,000 primary care physicians by 2030. With a growing population that is aging, the presence of more acute and chronic illnesses, and increased access to health insurance, it begs the question, "Where are all the doctors?" Despite the shortage of primary care physicians and restricted practice authority for NPs, nurse practitioner numbers continue to increase. The state is expected to see nearly 1,400 new or replacement NP jobs annually, a growth of 30.46%, over the course of the next ten years. As is characteristic of many other occupations in the state, California is among the top-paying cities for nurse practitioners, with NPs earning an average annual salary of nearly $146,000.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$145,970	30.46%	1,390	Restricted

7. Colorado

With excellent nurse practitioner programs at colleges like Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado, aspiring nurse practitioners can learn from the best. There are 7,518 physicians and 3,237 nurse practitioners providing service to the 5.8 million residents of Colorado, an average of one provider per 539 residents. The state, which is considered one of the best states for nurse practitioners, has approved full practice authority of NPs, allowing them to work independent of a collaborating physician, some owning their own practices. Per CareerOneStop, nurse practitioners in Colorado can expect to see more than 3,000 new or replacement jobs available within the next ten years, a growth of 44.47%. On average, nurse practitioners in Colorado earn $109,760 per year, with some earning up to $150,000.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$109,760	44.74%	330	Full

8. New Jersey

New Jersey is a great place to work as a nurse practitioner. It lies close to major metropolitan areas and has a population of 9.4 million, which means there are plenty of people to care for and ample opportunities for nurse practitioners who earn more than $130,000 annually. Currently, NPs in New Jersey work under reduced practice authority. Although they may diagnose and treat patients free of a collaborative agreement with a physician, they must have physician oversight to prescribe medications. There are currently a little more than 3,700 advanced practice registered nurses in New Jersey, 75% of whom are licensed nurse practitioners. The state expects to see continued growth in nurse practitioner jobs, with approximately 560 new jobs added yearly for the next decade, an increase of 28.16%.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$130,890	28.16%	560	Reduced

9. Texas

Texas is known as the state where all things are big, and that includes opportunities for nurse practitioners, making it another of the best states for nurse practitioners. The state ranks as the second most populated in the nation and has more than 25,000 actively practicing nurse practitioners. NPs in the state earn approximately $116,700 yearly. The U.S. Census Bureau reported a 16% population increase in Texas in 2020, which resulted in a growth of nearly 4 million people residing in the state. The Texas population is not the only thing growing; nurse practitioners are expected to see more than 1,100 new and replacement jobs annually for the next decade, an increase of nearly 32%. Other factors behind the nurse practitioner growth in Texas include an aging population, rising numbers of chronic illnesses, and underserved rural areas, all of which seem to be felt nationwide.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$116,700	31.86%	1,170	Restricted

10. Illinois

Illinois's current healthcare provider to population ratio is 1:1,541. The state, which is comprised of 75% rural area, is home to more than 12,000 nurse practitioners and 22,000 physicians, 8,300 of whom classify under the primary care physician category. Nurse practitioners in Illinois earn an average annual salary of $112,600. State policy recognizes nurse practitioners as primary care providers. They may prescribe medications including Schedule III and IV drugs but require a collaborative agreement with a physician to prescribe Schedule II drugs. Illinois, considered one of the best states for nurse practitioners, is projected to experience a 31.13% increase in NP jobs, roughly 760 jobs per year, over the next ten years.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$112,060	31.13%	760	Reduced

11. Massachusetts

January 2021 marked the beginning of a new policy affecting nurse practitioners in Massachusetts. Governor Charlie Baker signed legislation allowing making the emergency executive order that expanded nurse practitioner scope of practice due to COVID-19 a permanent rule, allowing NPs to have full practice authority beginning January 1. While Massachusetts has more primary care doctors per capita than most other states, rural regions continue to face challenges in recruiting and retaining primary care physicians. As currently practicing physicians age and retire, the lack of sufficient PCPs to replace them could cause problems. However, the state has chosen to address this issue by improving recruitment and retention of nurse practitioners and has implemented measures to double nurse practitioner residency training spots. These efforts mean more NPs will be prepared to fill roles left vacant by retiring physicians and those created to meet the need of a growing population. At this time, Massachusetts is expected to experience a little more than a 16% increase in nurse practitioner jobs, with approximately 540 new or replacement jobs being added annually for the next ten years. Massachusetts is considered one of the top states for nurse practitioners, as these specialists earn more than $126,000 yearly.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$126,050	16.17%	540	Full

12. Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Health projects the state will have a shortage of at least 2,000 primary care physicians by 2025. Like other states, Minnesota is experiencing the effects of an aging population as 19% of the state's population are senior citizens aged sixty-five or older. Additionally, a large portion of baby boomers with looming age-related health conditions live in rural areas that remain underserved by primary care providers. Because nurse practitioners in the state have full practice authority, they are well-positioned to take on the role of primary care providers and are projected to see a 23.04% increase in jobs, an average of 330 new or replacement jobs each year for the next decade. Nurse practitioners in Minnesota earn good incomes, too, with average annual salaries near $119,000. With healthcare facilities known worldwide, like the Mayo Clinic, and top-notch nurse practitioner programs, Minnesota is one of the best states to be a nurse practitioner.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$118,900	23.04%	330	Full

13. Wyoming

Nurse practitioners in Wyoming earn an average of $118,810 a year. The state offers excellent K-12 education opportunities, affordable cost of living, and a break from state income taxes, which are just a few reasons it is one of the top states for nurse practitioners. Wyoming is home to three hundred eighty primary care physicians and four hundred fifty nurse practitioners and has a population of less than 600,000. Nurse practitioners or nurses considering pursuing an NP license in Wyoming will continue to see a favorable job market with a 30% increase in jobs, approximately thirty positions, yearly, over the next decade. They also earn comfortable salaries with the average annual salary of NPs in the state being $118,810.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$118,810	30.00%	30	Full

14. Utah

The state of Utah is ranked as one of the best states for nurse practitioners. The state has a population of 3.2 million, a growth of over half a million people in the last ten years. There are approximately 1,700 primary care physicians and nearly as many nurse practitioners who provide healthcare services to the residents of Utah, making the provider to patient ratio 1:941, an overwhelming difference. To keep up with population growth, Utah estimates the need for four hundred new primary care providers each year, creating the opportunity for NPs to take on roles as primary care clinicians.

Utah has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S., 2.7%, which means people are satisfied with their jobs and pay. Nurse practitioners in the state earn more than $113,000 each year. Although the pay is not the highest among the best states for nurse practitioners, NPs in Utah report job satisfaction rating their overall satisfaction with pay, benefits, and place of employment a 4.5 out of 5. The job outlook for NPs in Utah is also promising, with the state anticipating a 34.30% growth rate for nurse practitioners over the next 10 years, an average of 170 new or replacement jobs each year.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$113,550	34.30%	170	Reduced

15. Nevada

Nevada ranks #48 for the number of primary care providers, including nurse practitioners, per capita. Despite the shortfall in the number of providers, NPs in the state report satisfaction with their jobs and salaries, which average nearly $120,000 annually. Most say nurse practitioners in the state say they have no intention of seeking employment elsewhere. Nevada's population has increased by 15% in the last decade and is expected to grow by more than half a million residents in the next ten years. Famous tourist attractions like the Las Vegas Strip bring as many as 56 million visitors to the state annually. The number of people living in the state and yearly visitors means a genuine need to have qualified healthcare providers to meet both primary and acute care needs. Nurse practitioners in Nevada have the privilege of working with full practice authority, which means there are opportunities for them to open independent practices if they choose, making it possible to spread access to healthcare across the state. CareerOneStop projects NPs in Nevada will continue to have a good job outlook with a 28.57% growth rate in employment opportunities over the next decade.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$119,890	28.57%	20	Full

16. Delaware

Delaware is the second state to enact legislation this year, giving nurse practitioners full practice authority. From 2015 to 2021, there was a 61% increase in nurse practitioner jobs in the state from 1,523 to 2,457. The ten-year job outlook suggests the industry for nurse practitioners will continue to thrive with at approximately seventy new or replacement jobs added each year, a more than 30% growth. NPs in Delaware earn approximately $112,230 each year. From preschool to post-secondary education systems, Delaware offers a diverse assortment of opportunities both in public and private institutions. The state imposes no sales tax, some of the lowest property taxes in the nation, and boasts of top-of-the-line healthcare facilities, such as Johns Hopkins and Jefferson University Hospital, and is consistently ranked as one of the top states to work as a healthcare provider. No wonder it falls in the category of best states to work as a nurse practitioner!

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$112,230	30.77%	70	Full

17. New Mexico

New Mexico has a diverse job market, including aerospace, energy, agriculture, and yes.... healthcare. The state, which has a population of a little over 2 million, is home to nearly 1,200 primary care physicians and almost 800 nurse practitioners. According to a study by Wallethub, New Mexico ranks as one of the highest states in the U.S. for all nursing providers, supporting the fact that it is one of the best states for nurse practitioners. NPs in the state work with full practice authority. They earn an average of $117,050 annually and have a projected job growth of 27.62% over the next decade, an average of ninety new or replacement jobs each year.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$117,050	27.62%	90	Full

18. New Hampshire

According to the Bi-State Care Association of Vermont and New Hampshire, nurse practitioners are among the type of nurses in high demand in nearly every part of New Hampshire. To help meet the need for healthcare providers in the state and to support relationships between providers and patients, New Hampshire has implemented a State Loan Repayment Program offering to offset graduate educational loans. Nurse practitioners, who fall under Tier 2 of the Program, can qualify for $45,000 in loan repayment with a thirty-six-month service obligation. Some nurse practitioners qualify for an extension of twenty-four months which includes an additional $20,000 in loan repayment. The robust physical, social, and community health of New Hampshire cause the state to rank above average on quality-of-life indexes. It has been named one of the 50 Best Places to Live in America, and the 2,600 licensed nurse practitioners agree it is one of the best states to work as a nurse practitioner, as ninety-five percent of them report job satisfaction. It’s a good thing, too, as the state is projected to have nearly a thirty percent increase in the number of nurse practitioners in the next decade, which is equal to 110 new and replacement NP positions each year. Nurse practitioners in New Hampshire have full practice authority and earn approximately $112,460 each year.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$112,460	29.91%	110	Full

19. North Dakota

North Dakota, another of our featured best states for nurse practitioners to work, has 520 certified nurse practitioners who provide primary care services. The physician-to-patient ratio in North Dakota is not equally distributed across the state, leaving some metropolitan areas and most rural areas underserved. The state anticipates a shortage of 260 to 360 primary care providers by 2025 but expects nurse practitioners will be part of the solution as a 31.37% job growth is expected, an average of fifty new or replacement NP jobs annually for the next decade. North Dakota nurse practitioners have full practice authority and earn six-figure salaries that average a little more than $111,000 yearly.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$111,070	31.37%	50	Full

20. Connecticut

One of the most important factors contributing to the quality of life in the United States is financial status and income earning potential. Connecticut residents have a median household income of just over $71,000 annually, making it the fifth-highest of all states. The state ranks among the lowest of all states in population growth (4.6%), unemployment (2.8%), and poverty (8.2%). Healthy economies historically drive the pace of population growth higher, but this is not the case in New Hampshire, where the population grew by less than five percent in the last ten years.

However, the state's population is estimated to be 3.6 million and is serviced by a few more than 9,000 physicians licensed to practice in Connecticut, 3,367 of whom are classified in the primary care provider category, and nearly 3,000 nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners in the state have full practice authority and earn almost $117,000 yearly. It is projected that NPs in Connecticut can expect to see continued security with work as the ten-year job outlook for the profession is projected to grow more than 20%, an average of two hundred forty new or replacement jobs each year.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$116,780	20.53%	240	Full

21. Georgia

WalletHub, a personal finance website, researched the 50 United States and the District of Columbia to see which are the best places to work for a successful nursing career. They used the dimensions of work environment and opportunity/competition to rank the best states for nurse practitioners and nursing personnel. Georgia ranked eighth in the country for opportunity and competition based on the study. In addition to efforts to improve work environments and options, the state has also implemented the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Loan Repayment Program (APRNLRP). The program offers a service-cancelable loan of up to $10,000 per year to licensed APRNs, including nurse practitioners, and assists in repaying outstanding graduate nursing education loan debt. The APRNLRP is a win-win for the state and nurse practitioners as the contracts are renewable for four years, creating a working partnership and requires nurse practitioners to provide direct patient care in medically underserved rural areas of Georgia. Despite having restricted practice authority, nurse practitioner jobs in Georgia are projected to grow by more than 41%, an average of 660 new and replacement jobs each year for the next ten years. The current average income for NPs in Georgia is $106,220.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$106,220	41.37%	660	Restricted

22. Montana

With college towns like Bozeman and Missoula, where excellent nurse practitioner programs are offered, Montana has made the Best Cities to Live list four years in a row. The state offers outstanding educational opportunities for K-12 and post-secondary learning, low-cost-living, safe communities, and an excellent statewide health grade. Montana, like other states, has felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the state's healthcare industry. Although it is the eighth least populous state in the United States, Montana has not escaped the nationwide shortage of primary care providers. Currently, there are seventy-two primary care doctors per 100,000 residents, and the population is expected to be 1.09 million by the end of 2021. While the number of primary doctors may be viewed as a negative, it means increased opportunities for nurse practitioners who anticipate an increased growth in their field with a 26.47% increase in jobs, approximately sixty positions each year. NPs in the state have full practice authority and earn an average of $114,370 each year.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$114,370	26.47%	60	Full

23. Hawaii

Nurse practitioners in the Aloha State work with full practice authority and are integral to its healthcare industry. Although Hawaii is considered one of the healthiest states in the country, there is still a need for primary care providers, including nurse practitioners. Current statistics for the state's healthcare grade indicate a shortage of more than 1,000 physicians. On the other hand, the state will see a 39.1 percent increase in nurse practitioner jobs from 2010 to 2020 and, according to CareerOneStop, will see an additional increase of 23.81 percent in the next ten years. With a comfortable climate, the longest average life expectancy in the nation, excellent career opportunities, diverse culture, and handsome salaries of nearly $119,000 a year, Hawaii is one of the best states for nurse practitioners to work.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$118,780	23.81%	40	Full

24. Indiana

Indiana made the Top 10 list of most affordable states in America. The state boasts low living costs, affordable housing, and fantastic universities is home to approximately 3,000 primary care physicians and 3,400 nurse practitioners. Despite being an excellent place to live, Indiana continues to face a shortage of primary care providers and anticipates a deficit of more than 1,000 by 2030. Directors of healthcare systems and facilities in the state have authorized job fairs and increased wages to attract the providers needed. For nurse practitioners, this could mean raises from their now average income of $109,940. The state over the next 10 years expects to see more than a 29 percent increase in nurse practitioner jobs, which equals approximately four hundred fifty new or replacement jobs, a positive job outlook for NPs.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$109,940	29.41%	450	Reduced

25. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers some of the country's best universities that offer outstanding nurse practitioner programs, such as Pennsylvania State University, Messiah College of Mechanicsburg, and Duquesne University. It is also home to several high-ranking health institutions, making it one of the top states for nurse practitioners to work. Nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania earn more than $111,000 each year, nearly three times the average individual income for working Americans. This group of advanced practice nurses has a ten-year job outlook projecting more than a twenty-six percent increase in jobs with five hundred seventy new or replacement jobs expected yearly.

Average Salary	10-Year Job Outlook	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)	Practice Authority
$111,560	26.46%	570	Reduced

My Final Thoughts

Knowing what a state has to offer for someone with your credentials can make deciding to live there a little easier. In this article, we shared information to answer the question, “What are the best states to be a nurse practitioner?” Now that you have the answers and know the 25 best states for nurse practitioners in 2024, you can choose your long-term career goals and where you want to live to see them through.