Nurse Practitioner Pay

Arlington vs Springfield: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Arlington, MA and Springfield, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Arlington, MA
$140,220
$67.42/hr
Springfield, MA
$143,237
$68.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricArlington, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$140,220$143,237
Hourly Rate$67.42$68.87
Entry Level (P10)$109,073$106,843
25th Percentile$124,683$131,888
75th Percentile$163,710$168,768
Top Earner (P90)$173,582$169,906
Total Employed9530
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Arlington ($140,220) and Springfield ($143,237) nurse practitioner salaries.ArlingtonSpringfieldMedian Salary$140,220$143,237Entry Level (P10)$109,073$106,843Top Earner (P90)$173,582$169,906US Median $136,864

Verdict

Springfield, MA offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Arlington.

The salary gap between Arlington and Springfield is $3,017 (2.15%). Springfield's median is +4.66% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Arlington spans $64,509,Springfield spans $63,063. Arlington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Arlington
P10 (Entry)$109,073
P25$124,683
Median$140,220
P75$163,710
P90 (Top)$173,582
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$106,843
P25$131,888
Median$143,237
P75$168,768
P90 (Top)$169,906

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($149,110 effective) pays 15.38% more than Arlington ($129,235 effective).

Arlington
Nominal: $140,220
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $129,235
Springfield
Nominal: $143,237
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $149,110

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Arlington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($173,582)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,237/year)
  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $149,110)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Arlington grew -13.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.1% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Arlington, MA

+-13.7%

$157,117 (2024) → $135,544 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+25.1%

$110,640 (2019) → $138,460 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Arlington or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $143,237/year, compared to Arlington at $140,220/year — a difference of $3,017 (2.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Arlington and Springfield?

Arlington nurse practitioners earn $67.42/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $68.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Arlington to Springfield as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Arlington and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Arlington = $129,235, Springfield = $149,110), job availability (9 vs 530 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Arlington vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $109,073 in Arlington and $106,843 in Springfield. The Arlington 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