How Much Does an NP Make in Pennsylvania in 2026?

A typical NP in Pennsylvania earns about $62.57 per hour, or $130,140 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $10,845 a month and $2,503 a week, both figures calculated from the annual number. Pennsylvania employs 10,670 nurse practitioners, a workforce large enough to see meaningful variation across cities and employers.

Nationally, NPs typically earn $132,300 a year, so Pennsylvania pay runs about 2% below the national figure. That places the state 33rd out of 51 ranked states and territories. With 323,040 NPs working nationwide, Pennsylvania's 10,670 represent a modest but stable share of the profession. The gap tracks Pennsylvania's generally lower cost of living compared with higher-cost states.

Entry-level positions in Pennsylvania typically offer around $49.49 an hour, or about $102,940 a year, according to the same 2025 data. New NPs tend to start near this level while building clinical experience and a patient panel. Within a few years, pay commonly moves up toward the typical figure of $62.57 an hour, or $130,140 a year. Setting and specialty also shape how quickly that climb happens.

Experienced NPs in Pennsylvania often earn upwards of $68.62 an hour, or $142,720 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $78.71 an hour, or $163,720 a year. That leaves a spread of $60,780 between entry-level and top-tier pay. Experience accounts for much of that gap, but setting and city matter too: hospital and specialty roles in higher-paying metro areas tend to sit at the upper end.

A decade ago, in 2015, typical NP pay in Pennsylvania stood at $92,740 a year. By 2025, that figure had climbed to $130,140, a gain of $37,400. That amounts to a 40% rise over ten years, tracking steady increases nearly every year in between.

That 40% increase outpaces the national rise of 35% over the same ten years. Pay for NPs in Pennsylvania has moved up consistently, though past gains do not guarantee future ones. Someone entering the field now starts from a higher base than NPs did a decade ago, even after accounting for the state's below-average current standing.

Pay runs highest in the Philadelphia metro area, where NPs typically earn $135,700 a year, about 4% above the statewide figure. Reading and Lancaster follow closely, with typical pay of $135,390 and $133,940 a year. These figures reflect each city's full metro area, not just its downtown core.

At the other end, Johnstown pays the least among Pennsylvania's metro areas, with typical NP pay of $115,950 a year, a spread of $19,750 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Philadelphia also holds the largest NP workforce in the state, with 6,590 employed there. Higher pay in Philadelphia and similar areas generally lines up with a higher cost of living, not a difference in the work itself.

Among neighboring states, New Jersey pays NPs the most, with typical pay of $159,310 a year, about 22% higher than Pennsylvania. New York follows at $153,510, roughly 18% higher. Ohio pays less, at $124,870, about 4% below Pennsylvania, while Maryland and Delaware sit close to Pennsylvania's level. Licensure often transfers or can be endorsed between neighboring states, which makes comparing nearby pay worthwhile before deciding where to practice.

NPs in Pennsylvania typically earn $130,140 a year, up 40% over the past decade despite running slightly below the national figure. Pay is strongest in Philadelphia and lowest in smaller cities like Johnstown, with cost of living explaining much of that difference. Anyone weighing a move or a new license should check Pennsylvania's licensing and registry requirements, and review city-specific pages for local pay before deciding where to practice.