Entry-Level Nurse Practitioner Salary in Albany, OR: $136,937 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse practitioners entering the Albany, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $136,937 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1171, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Albany's local price level (BEA RPP 102.1 — 2% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $134,120 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($148,461) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the nursing workforce in Albany, Oregon, the entry level nurse practitioner salary is projected to begin at approximately $136,937 in 2026. When compared to the city’s median salary of $148,461, new nurse practitioners can expect a gap that presents growth potential over the first few years. As they gain experience, they can forecast an increase in salary to around $144,768 by the 25th percentile, eventually reaching the median salary as they build their professional footprint. With a positive growth rate of 3.45% projected annually, Albany appears to be a favorable market for new grads, with sufficient opportunities to advance in their financial standing and career trajectory.
Career Earnings Timeline in Albany
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany
Entry-level nurse practitioners in Albany, OR typically start between $136,937 and $144,768 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $56,515 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $148,461 — 8.47% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average advanced practice nursing program cost in Oregon of $100,000 represents just 73.03% of the starting nurse practitioner pay ($136,937/year) in Albany. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CCNE- and ACEN-accredited graduate nursing programs. Tuition varies significantly between public in-state MSN programs and private DNP programs, and often requires completed BSN coursework as a prerequisite.
NP Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Albany
- 1Research the Albany market: entry-level nurse practitioner pay ranges from $136,937 to $144,768, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the advanced practice nursing field — employers in OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Albany, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Albany for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Albany's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Nurse Practitioner Compensation Range
The nurse practitioner wage spread in Albany is $56,515 ( 41.27%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $136,937, experienced hygienists can earn up to $193,452.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$106,337
2025 BLS Actual
$132,370
2026 Current Est.
$136,937
2019–2027 Growth
+33.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,337 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,362 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,803 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,083 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,222 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,937 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,661 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse practitioner compensation (10th percentile) in Albany, OR grew 24.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $106,337 in 2019 to $132,370 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $141,661. New graduates entering the Albany job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your advanced practice nursing Career in Albany
In Albany, the primary hiring environments for fresh nurse practitioner graduates often include primary care offices and urgent care chains, both of which provide structured onboarding programs tailored for new staff. Additionally, large hospital systems may offer NP residency and fellowship programs that facilitate valuable early career experiences. For psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), the rise of telehealth platforms presents immediate employment opportunities post-graduation. Candidates will benefit from holding an active RN license, an MSN or DNP from an accredited program, and certification from recognized bodies such as the ANCC or AANP. Entering the first years, those with prescriptive authority and population-focus certification may command higher starting salaries, while navigating the variance in scope-of-practice across states can further influence job dynamics. Realistically, new grads in this market can expect steady salary growth as they transition from entry-level roles, particularly in light of the demand for mental health services.
More salary data for Albany, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nurse practitioners in Albany in 2026?
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Is advanced practice nursing school worth it in Albany?
What do new nurse practitioners make right out of school in Albany?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new advanced practice nursing graduates. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Albany. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
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