How Much Does an NP Make in New Jersey in 2026?

A typical NP in New Jersey earns about $76.59 per hour ($159,310 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $13,276 a month and $3,064 a week, both figures calculated from the annual figure. Pay varies by setting and city, but this figure represents the typical NP across the state.

That pay runs 20% above the national typical rate of $63.61 an hour ($132,300 a year), and ranks New Jersey 2nd among all 51 states for NP pay. Roughly 9,950 NPs work across New Jersey, a smaller workforce than the 323,040 NPs nationwide but enough to put local pay data on solid footing.

Entry-level positions in New Jersey typically offer around $58.84 an hour ($122,390 a year), the starting point for NPs new to the role or the state. Pay tends to rise from there within the first few years on the job. By the time an NP reaches typical experience levels, pay moves up toward the statewide figure of $76.59 an hour. Setting, specialty, and location all play a part in how quickly that happens.

Experienced NPs in New Jersey often earn upwards of $81.99 to $88.19 an hour, with the top 10% of earners making over $183,420 a year. That leaves a $61,030 spread between entry-level and top-tier pay. The gap usually comes down to setting, years on the job, and which city an NP works in, with hospital and specialty roles in higher-cost metro areas typically paying more than smaller-city clinics.

New Jersey NP pay climbed from $112,550 in 2015 to $159,310 in 2025, a gain of $46,760. That is a 42% rise over the decade, reflecting steady increases in nearly every year along the way. The climb was not a single jump but a consistent year-over-year gain.

Nationally, NP pay rose 35% over the same decade, meaning New Jersey's gain outpaced the country as a whole. Pay has moved up steadily for NPs entering the field now, though nothing about future pay is guaranteed.

Pay runs highest in Newark, where NPs typically earn $163,340 a year ($78.53 an hour), about 3% above the statewide figure. This figure covers the full Newark metro area. Jersey City, part of the same metro area, matches that figure exactly. Trenton and Princeton follow close behind at $153,630 a year.

At the lower end, the Bethlehem metro area (shared with Easton, Pennsylvania) typically pays NPs $133,890 a year ($64.37 an hour), a $29,450 spread from the top of the state. Newark also holds the largest NP workforce in New Jersey, with 21,680 NPs, so most of the state's job base sits in the highest-paying metro area. Higher pay in cities like Newark generally tracks a higher cost of living.

New Jersey NP pay outpaces its closest neighbors. New York NPs typically earn $153,510 a year, about 4% less than New Jersey. Pennsylvania and Delaware trail further behind, at $130,140 and $131,040 a year respectively, each about 18% lower than New Jersey's figure. Licensure in one of these states can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring one, which can widen the range of options for NPs working near state lines.

NPs in New Jersey typically earn $159,310 a year, well above the national figure, with pay having climbed 42% over the past decade. For specific licensing or registry requirements, check New Jersey's state nursing board page; for local pay details, see the city pages for Newark, Jersey City, and other New Jersey metro areas covered here.