Nurse Practitioner Pay

Passaic vs Trenton: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

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

Passaic, NJ
$154,325
$74.19/hr
Trenton, NJ
$158,930
$76.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPassaic, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$154,325$158,930
Hourly Rate$74.19$76.41
Entry Level (P10)$122,152$131,744
25th Percentile$139,432$137,185
75th Percentile$187,224$167,465
Top Earner (P90)$209,716$183,024
Total Employed18490
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Passaic ($154,325) and Trenton ($158,930) nurse practitioner salaries.PassaicTrentonMedian Salary$154,325$158,930Entry Level (P10)$122,152$131,744Top Earner (P90)$209,716$183,024US Median $136,864

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Passaic and Trenton is $4,605 (2.98%). 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 Passaic spans $87,564,Trenton spans $51,280. Passaic has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Passaic
P10 (Entry)$122,152
P25$139,432
Median$154,325
P75$187,224
P90 (Top)$209,716
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 14.98% more than Passaic ($133,963 effective).

Passaic
Nominal: $154,325
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $133,963
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 Passaic if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($209,716)
  • 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 Passaic grew -8.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.6% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Passaic, NJ

+-8.8%

$163,498 (2024) → $149,178 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+27.6%

$120,380 (2019) → $153,630 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Passaic or Trenton?

Trenton has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $158,930/year, compared to Passaic at $154,325/year — a difference of $4,605 (2.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Passaic and Trenton?

Passaic nurse practitioners earn $74.19/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $76.41/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Passaic and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Passaic = $133,963, Trenton = $154,032), job availability (18 vs 490 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $122,152 in Passaic 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