Nurse Practitioner Pay

Howell vs Trenton: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Howell, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Howell, NJ
$157,746
$75.84/hr
Trenton, NJ
$158,930
$76.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHowell, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$157,746$158,930
Hourly Rate$75.84$76.41
Entry Level (P10)$117,772$131,744
25th Percentile$137,208$137,185
75th Percentile$182,848$167,465
Top Earner (P90)$215,122$183,024
Total Employed11490
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Howell ($157,746) and Trenton ($158,930) nurse practitioner salaries.HowellTrentonMedian Salary$157,746$158,930Entry Level (P10)$117,772$131,744Top Earner (P90)$215,122$183,024US Median $136,864

Verdict

Trenton, NJ offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Howell.

The salary gap between Howell and Trenton is $1,184 (0.75%). Trenton's median is +16.12% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Howell spans $97,350,Trenton spans $51,280. Howell has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Howell
P10 (Entry)$117,772
P25$137,208
Median$157,746
P75$182,848
P90 (Top)$215,122
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$131,744
P25$137,185
Median$158,930
P75$167,465
P90 (Top)$183,024

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($154,032 effective) pays 12.49% more than Howell ($136,932 effective).

Howell
Nominal: $157,746
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $136,932
Trenton
Nominal: $158,930
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $154,032

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Howell if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($215,122)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Higher median salary ($158,930/year)
  • Larger job market (490 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $154,032)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Howell grew -8.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.6% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Howell, NJ

+-8.8%

$167,123 (2024) → $152,485 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+27.6%

$120,380 (2019) → $153,630 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Howell or Trenton?

Trenton has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $158,930/year, compared to Howell at $157,746/year — a difference of $1,184 (0.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Howell and Trenton?

Howell nurse practitioners earn $75.84/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $76.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Howell to Trenton as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Howell and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Howell = $136,932, Trenton = $154,032), job availability (11 vs 490 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Howell vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $117,772 in Howell and $131,744 in Trenton. The Trenton area offers higher starting salaries.
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