Entry-Level Nurse Practitioner Salary in Cody, WY: $102,702 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse practitioners entering the Cody, WY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $102,702 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1171, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cody's local price level (BEA RPP 95.8 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $107,205 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($126,043) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Cody, Wyoming, presents a competitive entry-level nurse practitioner salary landscape for recent graduates. The starting pay for new nurse practitioners in 2026 is projected at $102,702, which is quite a bit below the city's median annual salary of $126,043. However, this initial figure offers a promising growth trajectory, with earnings expected to rise to $114,963 as one advances professionally over the first few years. For new graduates eager to establish their careers, Cody provides a viable market, especially considering the projected annual growth rate of 3.45% in the field, indicating that opportunities will likely expand in the near future.
About the Cody Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($126,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cody
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 Cody
Entry-level nurse practitioners in Cody, WY typically start between $102,702 and $114,963 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $49,888 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $126,043 — 7.91% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average advanced practice nursing program cost in Wyoming of $70,000 represents just 68.16% of the starting nurse practitioner pay ($102,702/year) in Cody. 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 Cody
- 1Research the Cody market: entry-level nurse practitioner pay ranges from $102,702 to $114,963, 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 WY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cody, 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 Cody for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cody'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 Cody is $49,888 ( 48.58%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $102,702, experienced hygienists can earn up to $152,590.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$79,753
2025 BLS Actual
$99,277
2026 Current Est.
$102,702
2019–2027 Growth
+33.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Cody (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,753 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,271 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,852 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,562 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,606 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,582 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,277 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,702 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,245 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse practitioner compensation (10th percentile) in Cody, WY grew 24.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $79,753 in 2019 to $99,277 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $106,245. New graduates entering the Cody job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cody 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 Cody
In Cody, several employers actively recruit new grad nurse practitioners, particularly within primary care offices and urgent care chains that typically offer structured onboarding programs. Additionally, larger hospital systems often provide residency or fellowship opportunities that significantly benefit newly graduated NPs. For those pursuing mental health, PMHNP graduates are finding immediate opportunities through telehealth platforms. Credentials such as an active RN license, a master's or doctorate from an accredited program, and national certification from AANP or ANCC can enhance starting wages. Given Wyoming's varied NP scope of practice laws, it's essential for new practitioners to navigate the requirements specific to their credentials and patient populations. New nurse practitioners can expect reasonable salary growth in their first three years, making Cody an appealing option for launching a career in advanced practice nursing.
More salary data for Cody, WY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Cody. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cody is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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