If you were to ask them, most oncology nurse practitioners would probably tell you that oncology nurse practitioner salary wasn’t their primary motivation for going into their specialty. Instead, they’ll cite the close emotional relationships they form with their patients as well as the opportunity to be continually challenged by new research, treatments, and technologies. Still, the question, “How much does an oncology nurse practitioner make?” is important to anyone contemplating entering this field. The following article presents an in-depth analysis of oncology nurse practitioner salary by state in 2024.
The starting salary of an oncology nurse practitioner is $97,490 annually on average. This is equivalent to $46.87 an hour, $1,875 a week, or $8,120 a month.
The average oncology nurse practitioner salary is $139,170 a year. This works out to $66.91 hourly, $2,676 weekly, or $11,600 monthly. Most oncology NPs reach this salary benchmark in the tenth year of their professional careers. The average oncology NP compensation is 43 percent higher than the entry-level oncology NP compensation.
Experienced oncology NPs are paid more because they’re more efficient. They can treat more patients—and treat patients with more complex diagnoses— than their less-experienced counterparts.
Oncology NPs with one to four years of experience earn $115,250 annually, 18 percent more than oncology NPs who are just beginning their careers. The average salary for oncology NPs with five to nine years of experience comes to $135,740 annually, a 39 percent jump over entry-level wages in this field. In comparison, oncology NPs with 10 to 19 years of experience make $151,210 annually, a 55 percent jump. The highest-paid oncology nurse practitioners are those with 20 or more years of experience; they make $184,440 a year, which is 89 percent higher than the entry-level oncology NP salary.
Annual oncology nurse practitioner salaries average $139,170 a year, significantly more than the $61,900 salary the average American employee earns in a single year.
Oncology nurse practice is one of the highest-paying NP specialties. But while oncology NPs make good money, they are by no means the most highly compensated nurse practitioners. Travel NPs make 7 percent more than oncology NPs ($149,610 annually), cardiology NPs make 6 percent more ($147,540), and psychiatric-mental health NPs make 3 percent more ($143,240.)
However, oncology NPs earn 3 percent more than adult-gerontology acute care NPs who haven’t chosen a clinical specialty ($134,960), 10 percent more than family nurse practitioners ($126,990), and 11 percent more than women’s health NPs ($125,280.)
Rank | Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference |
Number | % |
1 | Travel Nurse Practitioner | $149,610 | -$10,440 | -6.98% |
2 | Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner | $148,560 | -$9,390 | -6.32% |
3 | Cardiology Nurse Practitioner | $147,540 | -$8,370 | -5.67% |
4 | Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | $143,240 | -$4,070 | -2.84% |
5 | Wound Care Nurse Practitioner | $142,650 | -$3,480 | -2.44% |
6 | Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $140,240 | -$1,070 | -0.76% |
7 | Oncology Nurse Practitioner | $139,170 | $0 | 0.00% |
8 | Dermatology Nurse Practitioner | $138,750 | +$420 | +0.30% |
9 | Surgical Nurse Practitioner | $136,480 | +$2,690 | +1.97% |
10 | ICU Nurse Practitioner | $135,660 | +$3,510 | +2.59% |
11 | Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | $134,960 | +$4,210 | +3.12% |
12 | Emergency Nurse Practitioner | $133,510 | +$5,660 | +4.24% |
13 | Neurology Nurse Practitioner | $131,240 | +$7,930 | +6.04% |
14 | Telehealth Nurse Practitioner | $130,760 | +$8,410 | +6.43% |
15 | Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | $129,760 | +$9,410 | +7.25% |
16 | Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | $128,830 | +$10,340 | +8.03% |
17 | Family Nurse Practitioner | $126,990 | +$12,180 | +9.59% |
18 | Women's Health Nurse Practitioner | $125,280 | +$13,890 | +11.09% |
19 | Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | $124,630 | +$14,540 | +11.67% |
20 | Forensic Nurse Practitioner | $123,680 | +$15,490 | +12.52% |
Oncology Nurse Practitioner vs. Other Related Healthcare Jobs: Who Earns More?
Oncology nurse practice is also one of the most well-paying specialties among all healthcare-related jobs. Apart from physicians, only certified registered nurse anesthetists ($205,770), dentists ($172,290), and podiatrists ($157,970) make more money than oncology NPs.
Oncology nurse practitioners earn 11 percent more than physician assistants ($125,270), 56 percent more than registered nurses who don’t have an APRN degree ($89,010), and more than three times as much as certified nursing assistants ($32,440.)
Rank | Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference |
Number | % |
1 | Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | $205,770 | -$66,600 | -32.37% |
2 | Dentist | $172,290 | -$33,120 | -19.22% |
3 | Podiatrist | $157,970 | -$18,800 | -11.90% |
4 | Oncology Nurse Practitioner | $139,170 | $0 | 0.00% |
5 | Optometrist | $133,100 | +$6,070 | +4.56% |
6 | Pharmacist | $129,410 | +$9,760 | +7.54% |
7 | Veterinarian | $129,110 | +$10,060 | +7.79% |
8 | Physician Assistant | $125,270 | +$13,900 | +11.10% |
9 | Nurse Midwife | $122,450 | +$16,720 | +13.65% |
10 | Radiation Therapist | $98,340 | +$40,830 | +41.52% |
11 | Physical Therapist | $97,960 | +$41,210 | +42.07% |
12 | Occupational Therapist | $92,800 | +$46,370 | +49.97% |
13 | Audiologist | $89,490 | +$49,680 | +55.51% |
14 | Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,460 | +$49,710 | +55.57% |
15 | Registered Nurse | $89,010 | +$50,160 | +56.35% |
16 | Dental Hygienist | $84,860 | +$54,310 | +64.00% |
17 | Nurse Educator | $84,180 | +$54,990 | +65.32% |
18 | Chiropractor | $83,720 | +$55,450 | +66.23% |
19 | Licensed Practical/Licensed Vocational Nurse | $55,860 | +$83,310 | +149.14% |
20 | Certified Nursing Assistant | $32,440 | +$106,730 | +329.01% |
What is the Average Oncology Nurse Practitioner Salary by State? – (Ranked Highest-Lowest)
Eight of the states where oncology nurse practitioners make the highest salaries are either in the Northeast or the Pacific region. Partly, this reflects the high cost of living in these areas: If, for example, California healthcare employers didn’t compensate oncology NPs so highly, oncology NPs might not be able to afford to live and work in the Golden State where the cost of living is 50 percent higher than it is in the U.S. as a whole.
The Northeast and the Pacific region also have many large, densely populated metro areas that function as healthcare hubs with numerous medical centers, hospitals, clinics, and physician practices. These healthcare facilities compete with one another for top oncology NP talent since cancer treatment is a significant profit center for many medical centers and hospitals. Additionally, the Northeast and the Pacific region are areas where nurses’ unions are the strongest, and nurses’ unions represent the professional interests of APRNs (including oncology nurse practitioners) as well as RNs, lobbying for higher salaries and lower patient-to-staff ratios.
The states where oncology NPs receive the lowest compensation tend to be in the Deep South. Largely rural states like Tennessee, Alabama, West Virginia, Arkansas, and South Carolina have far fewer healthcare facilities, so competitive market forces aren’t at work driving up oncology nurse practitioner salaries. Remember, though, that the cost of living in these states is significantly lower than in other parts of the country. $110,870 a year in Tennessee may go much farther in terms of actual purchasing power than the higher paycheck you’ll receive in a state where the cost of living is higher.
Rank | State | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
1 | California | $84.86 | $3,394 | $14,710 | $176,510 |
2 | New Jersey | $76.88 | $3,075 | $13,330 | $159,900 |
3 | New York | $75.92 | $3,037 | $13,160 | $157,910 |
4 | Massachusetts | $74.43 | $2,977 | $12,900 | $154,820 |
5 | Oregon | $73.12 | $2,925 | $12,670 | $152,080 |
6 | Nevada | $73.11 | $2,924 | $12,670 | $152,060 |
7 | Washington | $72.76 | $2,911 | $12,610 | $151,350 |
8 | Connecticut | $70.56 | $2,823 | $12,230 | $146,770 |
9 | New Mexico | $69.53 | $2,781 | $12,050 | $144,620 |
10 | Hawaii | $68.86 | $2,754 | $11,940 | $143,220 |
11 | Iowa | $68.79 | $2,752 | $11,920 | $143,080 |
12 | Minnesota | $68.77 | $2,751 | $11,920 | $143,050 |
13 | New Hampshire | $67.50 | $2,700 | $11,700 | $140,400 |
14 | Rhode Island | $67.22 | $2,689 | $11,650 | $139,810 |
15 | Texas | $66.90 | $2,676 | $11,600 | $139,150 |
16 | Illinois | $65.63 | $2,625 | $11,380 | $136,520 |
17 | Oklahoma | $65.33 | $2,613 | $11,320 | $135,890 |
18 | Indiana | $65.33 | $2,613 | $11,320 | $135,880 |
19 | Arizona | $65.15 | $2,606 | $11,290 | $135,520 |
20 | Wisconsin | $65.05 | $2,602 | $11,280 | $135,300 |
21 | Delaware | $64.70 | $2,588 | $11,220 | $134,580 |
22 | Pennsylvania | $64.69 | $2,588 | $11,210 | $134,560 |
23 | Montana | $64.38 | $2,575 | $11,160 | $133,900 |
24 | Maryland | $64.21 | $2,568 | $11,130 | $133,560 |
25 | Nebraska | $63.85 | $2,554 | $11,070 | $132,800 |
26 | Maine | $63.49 | $2,539 | $11,000 | $132,050 |
27 | Louisiana | $63.44 | $2,538 | $11,000 | $131,950 |
28 | Idaho | $63.17 | $2,527 | $10,950 | $131,400 |
29 | Ohio | $63.02 | $2,521 | $10,920 | $131,090 |
30 | Mississippi | $62.93 | $2,517 | $10,910 | $130,890 |
31 | Virginia | $62.78 | $2,511 | $10,880 | $130,580 |
32 | Vermont | $62.58 | $2,503 | $10,850 | $130,160 |
33 | Colorado | $62.49 | $2,499 | $10,830 | $129,970 |
34 | Alaska | $62.46 | $2,498 | $10,830 | $129,920 |
35 | South Dakota | $62.04 | $2,482 | $10,750 | $129,050 |
36 | Utah | $62.04 | $2,482 | $10,750 | $129,050 |
37 | Georgia | $61.95 | $2,478 | $10,740 | $128,860 |
38 | Wyoming | $61.84 | $2,473 | $10,720 | $128,620 |
39 | North Carolina | $61.42 | $2,457 | $10,650 | $127,750 |
40 | North Dakota | $61.14 | $2,446 | $10,600 | $127,180 |
41 | Michigan | $61.06 | $2,442 | $10,580 | $127,000 |
42 | Missouri | $60.74 | $2,429 | $10,530 | $126,330 |
43 | Kansas | $59.93 | $2,397 | $10,390 | $124,650 |
44 | Florida | $59.20 | $2,368 | $10,260 | $123,130 |
45 | Kentucky | $58.65 | $2,346 | $10,170 | $121,990 |
46 | South Carolina | $58.56 | $2,343 | $10,150 | $121,810 |
47 | Arkansas | $57.48 | $2,299 | $9,960 | $119,560 |
48 | West Virginia | $57.31 | $2,292 | $9,930 | $119,200 |
49 | Alabama | $57.21 | $2,288 | $9,920 | $119,000 |
50 | Tennessee | $53.30 | $2,132 | $9,240 | $110,870 |
(Source: Nursingprocess.org) |
What is the Average Oncology Nurse Practitioner Salary by City? – (Ranked Highest-Lowest)
Thirteen of the metro areas where the highest-paid oncology nurse practitioners are employed are in California, a full-practice state for NPs. Indeed, urban areas in states where nurse practitioners can assess, diagnose, and treat patients to the full extent of their training and education without physician oversight dominate the first 50 places on the list of the top-paying cities for oncology NPs.
Statistical analysis confirms that all NPs—including oncology NPs—make more money when their scope of practice is less restrictive. Why? If a healthcare employer must pay a supervising physician in addition to a nurse practitioner, two parties will need to be compensated. This model also generates additional administrative costs since the hospital must show that the oversight metrics have been met to comply with state regulations. The overall operating costs associated with patient care will increase, and in the interests of efficiency, the employer will look for ways to reduce those costs. Reducing nurse practitioner salaries is an obvious solution to this difficulty.
Rank | City | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
1 | San Jose, CA | $107.13 | $4,285 | $18,570 | $222,830 |
2 | Oakland, CA | $102.00 | $4,080 | $17,680 | $212,160 |
3 | San Francisco, CA | $102.00 | $4,080 | $17,680 | $212,160 |
4 | New York, NY | $91.40 | $3,656 | $15,840 | $190,110 |
5 | Newark, NJ | $91.40 | $3,656 | $15,840 | $190,110 |
6 | Sacramento, CA | $84.69 | $3,388 | $14,680 | $176,150 |
7 | Fresno, CA | $81.41 | $3,256 | $14,110 | $169,330 |
8 | San Diego, CA | $80.48 | $3,219 | $13,950 | $167,390 |
9 | Anaheim, CA | $80.02 | $3,201 | $13,870 | $166,440 |
10 | Long Beach, CA | $80.02 | $3,201 | $13,870 | $166,440 |
11 | Los Angeles, CA | $80.02 | $3,201 | $13,870 | $166,440 |
12 | Modesto, CA | $78.61 | $3,144 | $13,630 | $163,500 |
13 | Stockton, CA | $78.60 | $3,144 | $13,620 | $163,480 |
14 | Riverside, CA | $78.30 | $3,132 | $13,570 | $162,860 |
15 | San Bernardino, CA | $78.30 | $3,132 | $13,570 | $162,860 |
16 | Bakersfield, CA | $77.43 | $3,097 | $13,420 | $161,060 |
17 | Boston, MA | $75.73 | $3,029 | $13,130 | $157,520 |
18 | Portland, OR | $75.49 | $3,020 | $13,090 | $157,020 |
19 | Seattle, WA | $75.08 | $3,003 | $13,010 | $156,160 |
20 | Tacoma, WA | $75.08 | $3,003 | $13,010 | $156,160 |
21 | Worcester, MA | $74.36 | $2,974 | $12,890 | $154,670 |
22 | Henderson, NV | $72.85 | $2,914 | $12,630 | $151,520 |
23 | Las Vegas, NV | $72.85 | $2,914 | $12,630 | $151,520 |
24 | Reno, NV | $72.55 | $2,902 | $12,580 | $150,910 |
25 | Houston, TX | $72.33 | $2,893 | $12,540 | $150,440 |
26 | Des Moines, IA | $70.13 | $2,805 | $12,160 | $145,860 |
27 | Rochester, NY | $69.06 | $2,763 | $11,970 | $143,650 |
28 | Honolulu, HI | $68.99 | $2,759 | $11,960 | $143,490 |
29 | Minneapolis, MN | $68.89 | $2,756 | $11,940 | $143,300 |
30 | Saint Paul, MN | $68.89 | $2,756 | $11,940 | $143,300 |
31 | Albuquerque, NM | $68.77 | $2,751 | $11,920 | $143,040 |
32 | Cape Coral, FL | $68.69 | $2,748 | $11,910 | $142,880 |
33 | Chicago, IL | $67.63 | $2,705 | $11,720 | $140,670 |
34 | Indianapolis, IN | $67.62 | $2,705 | $11,720 | $140,650 |
35 | Washington, DC | $67.56 | $2,703 | $11,710 | $140,530 |
36 | Cleveland, OH | $67.24 | $2,690 | $11,660 | $139,860 |
37 | Anchorage, AK | $67.13 | $2,685 | $11,640 | $139,640 |
38 | Arlington, TX | $67.11 | $2,684 | $11,630 | $139,590 |
39 | Dallas, TX | $67.11 | $2,684 | $11,630 | $139,590 |
40 | Fort Worth, TX | $67.11 | $2,684 | $11,630 | $139,590 |
41 | Philadelphia, PA | $67.05 | $2,682 | $11,620 | $139,460 |
42 | Buffalo, NY | $67.00 | $2,680 | $11,610 | $139,360 |
43 | Spokane, WA | $66.87 | $2,675 | $11,590 | $139,080 |
44 | Madison, WI | $66.66 | $2,666 | $11,550 | $138,650 |
45 | Pittsburgh, PA | $66.50 | $2,660 | $11,530 | $138,310 |
46 | Austin, TX | $66.48 | $2,659 | $11,520 | $138,280 |
47 | Port St. Lucie, FL | $66.37 | $2,655 | $11,500 | $138,040 |
48 | Winston-Salem, NC | $65.83 | $2,633 | $11,410 | $136,930 |
49 | Omaha, NE | $65.82 | $2,633 | $11,410 | $136,900 |
50 | Oklahoma City, OK | $65.42 | $2,617 | $11,340 | $136,070 |
51 | Durham, NC | $65.34 | $2,614 | $11,330 | $135,910 |
52 | San Antonio, TX | $65.33 | $2,613 | $11,320 | $135,880 |
53 | Tulsa, OK | $65.16 | $2,606 | $11,290 | $135,530 |
54 | Corpus Christi, TX | $65.15 | $2,606 | $11,290 | $135,520 |
55 | Mesa, AZ | $64.90 | $2,596 | $11,250 | $135,000 |
56 | Phoenix, AZ | $64.90 | $2,596 | $11,250 | $135,000 |
57 | Scottsdale, AZ | $64.90 | $2,596 | $11,250 | $135,000 |
58 | Fort Wayne, IN | $64.54 | $2,582 | $11,190 | $134,240 |
59 | Laredo, TX | $64.44 | $2,578 | $11,170 | $134,040 |
60 | Baltimore, MD | $64.31 | $2,572 | $11,150 | $133,760 |
61 | Boise, ID | $64.28 | $2,571 | $11,140 | $133,710 |
62 | Salt Lake City, UT | $64.25 | $2,570 | $11,140 | $133,630 |
63 | El Paso, TX | $64.19 | $2,568 | $11,130 | $133,510 |
64 | Tucson, AZ | $64.17 | $2,567 | $11,120 | $133,480 |
65 | Cincinnati, OH | $64.14 | $2,566 | $11,120 | $133,420 |
66 | Aurora, CO | $63.69 | $2,548 | $11,040 | $132,480 |
67 | Denver, CO | $63.69 | $2,548 | $11,040 | $132,480 |
68 | Kansas City, MO | $63.26 | $2,531 | $10,970 | $131,590 |
69 | New Orleans, LA | $63.23 | $2,529 | $10,960 | $131,510 |
70 | Raleigh, NC | $63.22 | $2,529 | $10,960 | $131,490 |
71 | Louisville, KY | $63.01 | $2,521 | $10,920 | $131,070 |
72 | Milwaukee, WI | $62.96 | $2,518 | $10,910 | $130,950 |
73 | Baton Rouge, LA | $62.70 | $2,508 | $10,870 | $130,420 |
74 | Columbus, OH | $62.41 | $2,497 | $10,820 | $129,820 |
75 | Columbus, GA | $62.20 | $2,488 | $10,780 | $129,380 |
76 | Atlanta, GA | $62.12 | $2,485 | $10,770 | $129,200 |
77 | Jacksonville, FL | $62.11 | $2,484 | $10,770 | $129,190 |
78 | Lubbock, TX | $61.92 | $2,477 | $10,730 | $128,800 |
79 | Richmond, VA | $61.71 | $2,468 | $10,700 | $128,350 |
80 | Toledo, OH | $61.56 | $2,463 | $10,670 | $128,050 |
81 | Colorado Springs, CO | $61.28 | $2,451 | $10,620 | $127,460 |
82 | Detroit, MI | $61.15 | $2,446 | $10,600 | $127,200 |
83 | Lincoln, NE | $61.15 | $2,446 | $10,600 | $127,190 |
84 | Norfolk, VA | $60.69 | $2,428 | $10,520 | $126,230 |
85 | Virginia Beach, VA | $60.69 | $2,428 | $10,520 | $126,230 |
86 | Orlando, FL | $60.60 | $2,424 | $10,500 | $126,050 |
87 | Greensboro, NC | $60.50 | $2,420 | $10,490 | $125,850 |
88 | Fayetteville, NC | $59.99 | $2,399 | $10,400 | $124,770 |
89 | Augusta, GA | $59.92 | $2,397 | $10,390 | $124,640 |
90 | St. Louis, MO | $59.89 | $2,396 | $10,380 | $124,570 |
91 | Charlotte, NC | $59.84 | $2,394 | $10,370 | $124,470 |
92 | St. Petersburg, FL | $57.76 | $2,311 | $10,010 | $120,150 |
93 | Tampa, FL | $57.76 | $2,311 | $10,010 | $120,150 |
94 | Little Rock, AR | $57.69 | $2,308 | $10,000 | $119,990 |
95 | Lexington, KY | $57.21 | $2,288 | $9,920 | $119,000 |
96 | Huntsville, AL | $56.49 | $2,260 | $9,790 | $117,500 |
97 | Wichita, KS | $56.03 | $2,241 | $9,710 | $116,540 |
98 | Nashville, TN | $55.59 | $2,223 | $9,640 | $115,620 |
99 | Memphis, TN | $55.11 | $2,204 | $9,550 | $114,620 |
100 | Miami, FL | $54.67 | $2,187 | $9,480 | $113,710 |
(Source: Nursingprocess.org) |
What are the 10 Highest-Paying States for Oncology Nurse Practitioners?
Of the 10 states with the highest average oncology nurse practitioner salary, only New Jersey restricts nurse practitioners’ scope of practice by demanding physician oversight. In states like California, New York, and Massachusetts, where they can practice to the full extent of their training, oncology NPs can assess patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, write chemotherapy and radiology orders, oversee infusions, prescribe other medications, and perform many of the same functions as a physician oncologist (although they tend to work with less acutely ill populations.)
In an economic sense, oncology NPs can be said to be functioning as oncologist substitutes. This makes the medical systems and hospitals that employ oncology NPs more efficient. To attract and retain oncology NPs, healthcare employers are willing to pay oncology NPs premium wages.
Rank | Highest Paying States |
State | Average Annual Salary |
1 | California | $176,510 |
2 | New Jersey | $159,900 |
3 | New York | $157,910 |
4 | Massachusetts | $154,820 |
5 | Oregon | $152,080 |
6 | Nevada | $152,060 |
7 | Washington | $151,350 |
8 | Connecticut | $146,770 |
9 | New Mexico | $144,620 |
10 | Hawaii | $143,220 |
What are the 10 Highest-Paying Cities for Oncology Nurse Practitioners?
The cities where oncology nurse practitioner salary is the highest are densely populated metropolitan areas that house many medical facilities that effectively vie with one another for access to the same patient population. Healthcare employers throughout Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, and the Greater New York City Metropolitan Area want to employ the best and the brightest to get a leg up on their challengers. Such competitive market pressures tend to drive up employee salaries.
Rank | Highest Paying Cities |
City | Average Annual Salary |
1 | San Jose, CA | $222,830 |
2 | Oakland, CA | $212,160 |
3 | San Francisco, CA | $212,160 |
4 | New York, NY | $190,110 |
5 | Newark, NJ | $190,110 |
6 | Sacramento, CA | $176,150 |
7 | Fresno, CA | $169,330 |
8 | San Diego, CA | $167,390 |
9 | Anaheim, CA | $166,440 |
10 | Long Beach, CA | $166,440 |
Can You Comfortably Live Off an Oncology Nurse Practitioner Salary in the United States?
Yes, you can live very comfortably on the average oncology nurse practitioner salary of $139,170 a year.
What is the Future Outlook for Oncology Nurse Practitioner Salaries?
Oncology NP salaries will continue to rise because the demand for oncology NPs and other medical professionals who work with cancer patients keeps growing.
While cancer rates fell slightly between 2015 and 2018, the period following the COVID-19 pandemic saw a resurgence in cancer incidence—possibly because so many early detection programs and early treatment procedures were put on hold while hospital resources were overwhelmed by the needs of COVID-19 patients. Additionally, in the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the number of patients younger than 50 who’ve been diagnosed with cancer, and these patients often require more complex medical interventions.
Bonus! 4 Ways Oncology Nurse Practitioners Can Maximize Their Salary
Are you an oncology nurse practitioner looking for ways to boost your earning potential? Here are four sure-fire recommendations for taking your oncology nurse practitioner salary to the next level.
Way #1: Get certified
Certification signals prospective employers that you are up-to-date with the most recent advances in medical knowledge and technology and well-versed in the professional standards of your field. The field of oncology nurse practice has two primary certifications:
• The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation’s Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner Certification (AOCNP): This is the premier credential for oncology nurse practitioners. To qualify to sit for the exam, you must either be a graduate of an accredited NP program with a concentration in oncology and 500 hours of supervised professional practice working with oncology patients or a graduate of an accredited NP program with a concentration in family, adult-gerontology, or women’s health nurse practice and 1,000 hours of supervised professional practice working with oncology patients.
• The American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) Certificate Programs: ASCO awards its certification not through exam testing but through course completion. ASCO offers a suite of three certificate programs, each containing ten courses covering topics like Introduction to Common Cancer Therapies, Chemotherapy Administration and Safety, and Cancer Genetics. The courses are delivered online. You attain your certification by completing the coursework.
Additionally, most nurse practitioners working in oncology must attain a chemo-bio certification before they will be allowed to administer chemotherapies and biotherapies. The ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Administration Certificate is available through the Oncology Nursing Society. You will receive the certification upon completion of an online course that includes information on targeted therapies, safety issues, occupational exposure, and the legal and ethical issues related to cancer treatment.
Way #2: Continue your education
Most oncology nurse practitioners hold Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees. For many years, the MSN degree was considered the terminal nursing degree for clinical care providers. However, in 2018, the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties—the leading organization in nurse practitioner education—began rallying for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to be adopted as the entry-level degree for nurse practitioners. On average, DNP-prepared nurse practitioners earn $6,000 more per year than MSN-prepared nurse practitioners.
Way #3: Become a traveler
The increasing number of cancer patients in the past few years has led to a shortage in the oncology NP workforce. To meet their patient care needs, medical centers and hospitals increasingly have come to rely upon locum tenens or traveling personnel to meet their staffing needs. Traveling oncology NPs make generous hourly salaries that often include shift differentials, overtime pay, and a housing stipend. In turn, hospitals save on recruitment and onboarding costs.
Way #4: Relocate
As we have seen, the salary of an oncology nurse practitioner can vary considerably across state lines and often even from city to city in the same state. So, if you’re dissatisfied with your salary, you can always move to a location where the pay is better. Don’t forget, though, that states where oncology NPs make the most money are often states where the cost of living is high. If you do the math, you might find out that the purchasing power of your current paycheck is equal to or maybe even higher than the purchasing power of the paycheck you’ll receive in a higher-paying state.
My Final Thoughts
This article has provided a comprehensive answer to the question, “How much does an oncology nurse practitioner make?” The short answer? Oncology NPs make comfortable salaries in every state! When you look at oncology nurse practitioner salary by state in 2024, you’ll find that NPs working with cancer patients are among the most highly compensated nurse practitioners. Still, this field requires an extraordinary degree of emotional resistance since not every patient you work with will have a positive outcome. You must have the inner resources to deal with this without burning out to be successful in this specialty.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Where Do Oncology Nurse Practitioners Mostly Work?
Oncology nurse practitioners are employed by oncology units within hospitals, specialty cancer treatment centers, clinics, palliative care centers, physicians’ practices, hospices, and home healthcare agencies.
2. What Schedules Do Oncology Nurse Practitioners Typically Work?
An oncology NP’s schedule depends upon where they work. Hospitals are open seven days a week, 365 days a year, so oncology nurse practitioners who work in hospitals may work day, swing, or night shifts, as well as weekends and holidays.
Oncology NPs who work in other practice settings will be more likely to work conventional 9-to-5 business hours. However, they may work weekends, too, if the clinic or practice that employs them is open on Saturdays and Sundays.
3. Is There A Demand For Oncology Nurse Practitioners?
Yes, there is a high demand for oncology nurse practitioners.
4. Why Are Oncology Nurse Practitioners In Demand?
The demand is high for oncology NPs because incidences of cancer are rising.
5. On Average, How Much Do Oncology Nurse Practitioners Make Per Hour?
The hourly salary of an oncology NP is $66.91 on average.
6. On, Average, How Much Do Oncology Nurse Practitioners Make Per Week?
Oncology nurse practitioners average $2,676 a week.
7. On, Average, How Much Do Oncology Nurse Practitioners Make Per Month?
Oncology nurse practitioners can expect to earn $11,600 a month.
8. On Average, How Much Do Oncology Nurse Practitioners Make Per Year?
On average, the annual oncology nurse practitioner salary is $139,170.
List Of Sources Used For This Article
• Best Places: California Cost of Living
https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/state/california
• JAMA Internal Medicine: Hospital-Administered Cancer Therapy Prices for Patients With Private Health Insurance
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2791386
• ThriveAP: Do States With Independent Practice Have Higher NP Salaries?
https://provider.thriveap.com/blog/do-states-independent-practice-have-higher-np-salaries
• National Cancer Institute: Annual Report to the Nation 2022: Overall Cancer Statistics
https://seer.cancer.gov/report_to_nation/statistics.html
• The Guardian: Cancer cases in under-50s worldwide up nearly 80% in three decades, study finds
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/sep/05/cancer-cases-in-under-50s-worldwide-up-nearly-80-in-three-decades-study-finds
• Wiley Educational Services: How Much More Can I Earn with a DNP?
https://www.doctorofnursingpracticednp.org/how-much-more-can-i-earn-with-a-dnp
• eMedCert: 5 Reasons Why Hospitals Are Hiring Travel Nurses
https://emedcert.com/blog/how-hospitals-benefit-from-travel-nurse-staffing
Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.