Nurse Practitioner: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Nurse Practitioners earn a national median of $129,210/yr with 40.1% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Medicine and Dentistry, English Language, Biology.
Median Salary
$129,210
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
40.1%
Much faster than average
Employed Nationally
307,390
2024 data
Typical Education
Master's degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Nurse Practitioner
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Nurse Practitioner candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Nurse Practitioner performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Nurse Practitioner roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 40.1% for Nurse Practitioner roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's much faster than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 307,390
- Projected Growth
- 40.1%
- Typical Education
- Master's degree
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Nurse Practitioner do?
- Nurse Practitioners apply expertise in Medicine and Dentistry, English Language, Biology to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving.
- How much does a Nurse Practitioner make?
- The national median salary for a Nurse Practitioner is $129,210 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Nurse Practitioner a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Nurse Practitioner roles is projected to grow 40.1% over the 2024–2034 decade — much faster than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 307,390 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Nurse Practitioner?
- The typical entry-level education for a Nurse Practitioner is Master's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Nurse Practitioners need?
- The most important skills for Nurse Practitioner roles based on verified occupational data: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Writing, Speaking, Active Learning, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, Judgment and Decision Making. Key tools and technologies include: eClinicalWorks EHR software, Epic Systems, MEDITECH software.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.