How Much Does an NP Make in Ohio in 2026?

A typical nurse practitioner in Ohio earns about $60.03 per hour, or $124,870 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Based on that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $10,406 a month and $2,401 a week. Those monthly and weekly numbers are calculated from the yearly figure rather than reported separately. Together they give a fuller picture of what a typical paycheck looks like.

That pay runs 6% below the national figure of $132,300 a year, placing Ohio 46th out of 51 states and territories ranked for nurse practitioner pay. Lower pay in Ohio tends to track a lower cost of living compared with higher-paying states. About 15,400 nurse practitioners work across Ohio, a workforce large enough to make local pay figures meaningful.

Entry-level positions in Ohio typically offer around $48.45 an hour, or about $100,780 a year, for nurse practitioners just starting out. Pay tends to move up from there within the first few years on the job. Many reach the typical pay of $60.03 an hour, or $124,870 a year, as they gain experience. Newer graduates should expect starting pay closer to the lower figure rather than the typical one.

Experienced nurse practitioners in Ohio often earn upwards of $64.79 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $154,680 a year. That leaves a spread of $53,900 between entry-level and top pay in the state. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a role in where an individual lands within that range. Specialized practice areas and higher-paying cities tend to push earners toward the top of the scale.

Ohio's typical nurse practitioner pay rose from $94,560 in 2015 to $124,870 in 2025, a gain of $30,310 over the decade. That's a rise of 32% over ten years. The increase wasn't perfectly steady; pay dipped slightly in 2021 and again in 2025 after peaking at $126,740 in 2024. Even with those small pullbacks, the ten-year trend points clearly upward.

Nationally, typical nurse practitioner pay rose 35% over the same ten years, a slightly faster pace than Ohio's climb. Someone starting a nurse practitioner career in Ohio today enters a field where pay has moved up steadily over the past decade. That doesn't guarantee future increases, but the recent trend has been positive.

Pay runs highest in Cleveland, where nurse practitioners typically earn $130,800 a year, about 5% above the statewide figure. Cincinnati follows closely at $128,700 a year, and Akron comes in at $127,090. These figures reflect each city's full metro area rather than just the city limits. Pay in Ohio's largest metro areas tends to sit above the statewide typical figure.

At the other end, Steubenville pays the least among Ohio's metro areas, with typical pay of $117,400 a year, a spread of $13,400 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Cleveland also has the largest nurse practitioner workforce in the state, with about 3,320 employed there. Cities with higher pay often carry a higher cost of living, which tends to offset some of the difference in take-home value.

Ohio's typical nurse practitioner pay trails most of its neighbors. Michigan pays the most nearby at $131,450 a year, about 5% higher than Ohio, and Pennsylvania follows at $130,140, about 4% higher. Kentucky is the exception, paying $122,870, about 2% below Ohio. Indiana and West Virginia both pay somewhat more than Ohio as well. Nurse practitioner licensure can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby state, which can make comparing offers across state lines worthwhile.

Nurse practitioners in Ohio typically earn $124,870 a year, or $60.03 an hour, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That figure has climbed 32% over the past decade, adding just over $30,000 in yearly pay. Readers weighing a move to Ohio or a switch in city should check the state licensing or registry page for requirements, along with city-level pages for local pay figures before deciding.