Whether you’re considering entering the nurse practitioner profession or are an experienced NP looking to relocate, salary is certainly a major deciding factor. While a state’s average salary won’t dictate your exact income, it can at least give you a general idea of how much you may be able to make; plus it’s always fun to look at the numbers and how they compare across the country. Each year the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics collects salary information for various professions and publishes data for the prior year. While the 2019 NP stats aren’t available quite yet, the 2018 stats are, and these ten states ranked the lowest on the list.
Keep in mind that although these states have the lowest paying salaries for NPs, many of them have also have a low cost of living; which is something you should take into consideration if you’re serious about relocation. Because other factors like the number of employed NPs in these states, and whether or not there are state income taxes are also pertinent, we’ve included these stats to give you an even better picture of the numbers.
1. Alabama
Hourly Mean Wage: $46.14
Annual Mean Wage: $95,970
Cost of Living: 89.3%
Number of employed NPs: 3,680
State income tax: 2% to 5%, the highest rate applies to incomes over $3,000
2. Tennessee
Hourly Mean Wage: $46.15
Annual Mean Wage: $95,990
Cost of Living: 88.7%
Number of employed NPs: 7,010
State income tax: A flat rate of 2% on unearned income only
3. Pennsylvania
Hourly Mean Wage: $47.24
Annual Mean Wage: $98,250
Cost of Living: 101.7%
Number of employed NPs: 7,280
State income tax: A flat rate of 3.07%
4. Kansas
Hourly Mean Wage: $47.80
Annual Mean Wage: $99,430
Cost of Living: 89%
Number of employed NPs: 2,270
State income tax: 3.1% to 5.7%, the highest rate applies to incomes over $30,000
5. Kentucky
Hourly Mean Wage: $47.97
Annual Mean Wage: $99,790
Cost of Living: 90.9%
Number of employed NPs: 3,160
State income tax: Flat rate of 5%
6. South Carolina
Hourly Mean Wage: $48.03
Annual Mean Wage: $99,910
Cost of Living: 95.9%
Number of employed NPs: 2,260
State income tax: 1.1% to 7%, the highest rate applies to incomes over $12,250
7. West Virginia
Hourly Mean Wage: $48.41
Annual Mean Wage: $100,690
Cost of Living: 91.1%
Number of employed NPs: 1,080
State income tax: 3% to 6.5%, the highest rate applies to incomes $60,000
8. South Dakota
Hourly Mean Wage: $48.41
Annual Mean Wage: $100,690
Cost of Living: 99.8%
Number of employed NPs: 540
No state income tax
9. Florida
Hourly Mean Wage: $48.61
Annual Mean Wage: $101,100
Cost of Living: 97.9%
Number of employed NPs: 10,590
No state income tax
10. Ohio
Hourly Mean Wage: $49.02
Annual Mean Wage: $101,970
Cost of Living: 90.8%
Number of employed NPs: 7,510
State income tax: 1.98% to 4.997%, the highest rate applies to incomes over $217,400
Which states were you most surprised to see not make the list?
Sources:
https://worldpopulationreview.com/states/cost-of-living-index-by-state/
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291171.htm#(2)
https://www.thebalance.com/state-income-tax-rates-3193320