Nurse Practitioner Pay

Boston vs Amherst Town: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Boston, MA and Amherst Town, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$152,568
$73.35/hr
Amherst Town, MA
$137,640
$66.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAAmherst Town, MA
Median Salary$152,568$137,640
Hourly Rate$73.35$66.17
Entry Level (P10)$120,623$92,453
25th Percentile$138,985$115,781
75th Percentile$177,975$158,185
Top Earner (P90)$219,821$183,862
Total Employed5,990170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($152,568) and Amherst Town ($137,640) nurse practitioner salaries.BostonAmherst TownMedian Salary$152,568$137,640Entry Level (P10)$120,623$92,453Top Earner (P90)$219,821$183,862US Median $136,864

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Amherst Town.

The salary gap between Boston and Amherst Town is $14,928 (10.85%). Boston's median is +11.47% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $99,198,Amherst Town spans $91,409. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$120,623
P25$138,985
Median$152,568
P75$177,975
P90 (Top)$219,821
Amherst Town
P10 (Entry)$92,453
P25$115,781
Median$137,640
P75$158,185
P90 (Top)$183,862

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($140,920 effective) pays 2.63% more than Amherst Town ($137,306 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $152,568
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $140,920
Amherst Town
Nominal: $137,640
CoL Index: 100.243
Adjusted: $137,306

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($152,568/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($219,821)
  • Larger job market (5,990 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $140,920)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Amherst Town if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Boston grew 22.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.5% growth in Amherst Town over the same period.

Boston, MA

+22.0%

$120,870 (2019) → $147,480 (2025)

Amherst Town, MA

+0.5%

$132,380 (2024) → $133,050 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Boston or Amherst Town?

Boston has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $152,568/year, compared to Amherst Town at $137,640/year — a difference of $14,928 (10.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Amherst Town?

Boston nurse practitioners earn $73.35/hr while Amherst Town hygienists earn $66.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Amherst Town as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Amherst Town. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $140,920, Amherst Town = $137,306), job availability (5,990 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Boston vs Amherst Town?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $120,623 in Boston and $92,453 in Amherst Town. The Boston 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