Nurse Practitioner Pay

Napa vs San Francisco: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Napa, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Napa, CA
$182,351
$87.66/hr
San Francisco, CA
$226,638
$108.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNapa, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$182,351$226,638
Hourly Rate$87.66$108.96
Entry Level (P10)$159,282$158,568
25th Percentile$169,234$182,579
75th Percentile$233,528$250,256
Top Earner (P90)$233,549$283,412
Total Employed603,110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Napa ($182,351) and San Francisco ($226,638) nurse practitioner salaries.NapaSan FranciscoMedian Salary$182,351$226,638Entry Level (P10)$159,282$158,568Top Earner (P90)$233,549$283,412US Median $136,864

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Napa.

The salary gap between Napa and San Francisco is $44,287 (24.29%). San Francisco's median is +65.59% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Napa spans $74,267,San Francisco spans $124,844. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Napa
P10 (Entry)$159,282
P25$169,234
Median$182,351
P75$233,528
P90 (Top)$233,549
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$158,568
P25$182,579
Median$226,638
P75$250,256
P90 (Top)$283,412

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($196,032 effective) pays 21.00% more than Napa ($162,012 effective).

Napa
Nominal: $182,351
CoL Index: 112.554
Adjusted: $162,012
San Francisco
Nominal: $226,638
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $196,032

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Napa if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($226,638/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($283,412)
  • Larger job market (3,110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $196,032)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Napa grew 34.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 58.6% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Napa, CA

+34.1%

$131,400 (2019) → $176,270 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+58.6%

$138,100 (2019) → $219,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Napa or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $226,638/year, compared to Napa at $182,351/year — a difference of $44,287 (24.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Napa and San Francisco?

Napa nurse practitioners earn $87.66/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $108.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Napa to San Francisco as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Napa and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Napa = $162,012, San Francisco = $196,032), job availability (60 vs 3,110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Napa vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $159,282 in Napa and $158,568 in San Francisco. The Napa 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