Nurse Practitioner Pay

Andover vs Rochester: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Andover, MN and Rochester, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Andover, MN
$132,959
$63.92/hr
Rochester, MN
$130,626
$62.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAndover, MNRochester, MN
Median Salary$132,959$130,626
Hourly Rate$63.92$62.80
Entry Level (P10)$109,547$86,939
25th Percentile$122,750$109,471
75th Percentile$156,754$135,820
Top Earner (P90)$171,794$168,665
Total Employed81,190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Andover ($132,959) and Rochester ($130,626) nurse practitioner salaries.AndoverRochesterMedian Salary$132,959$130,626Entry Level (P10)$109,547$86,939Top Earner (P90)$171,794$168,665US Median $136,864

Verdict

Andover, MN offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rochester.

The salary gap between Andover and Rochester is $2,333 (1.79%). Andover's median is -2.85% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Andover spans $62,247,Rochester spans $81,726. Rochester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Andover
P10 (Entry)$109,547
P25$122,750
Median$132,959
P75$156,754
P90 (Top)$171,794
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$86,939
P25$109,471
Median$130,626
P75$135,820
P90 (Top)$168,665

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($143,828 effective) pays 6.55% more than Andover ($134,984 effective).

Andover
Nominal: $132,959
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $134,984
Rochester
Nominal: $130,626
CoL Index: 90.821
Adjusted: $143,828

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Andover if…

  • Higher median salary ($132,959/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($171,794)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Larger job market (1,190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $143,828)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Andover grew -1.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 1.1% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Andover, MN

+-1.9%

$130,992 (2024) → $128,525 (2025)

Rochester, MN

+1.1%

$124,870 (2019) → $126,270 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Andover or Rochester?

Andover has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $132,959/year, compared to Rochester at $130,626/year — a difference of $2,333 (1.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Andover and Rochester?

Andover nurse practitioners earn $63.92/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $62.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Andover to Rochester as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Andover and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Andover = $134,984, Rochester = $143,828), job availability (8 vs 1,190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Andover vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $109,547 in Andover and $86,939 in Rochester. The Andover area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov