Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Brea, CA: $78.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Brea, CA runs $78.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $163,019 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Brea's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $69.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $97,810 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brea, California, the nurse practitioner hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $78.37 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $65.80. This elevated hourly rate benefits part-time practitioners working approximately three days a week, enabling them to earn a robust income even within a limited schedule. Nurse practitioners can expect an hourly range from $62.50 for entry-level positions to $101.51 for those in higher income brackets. This range reflects the diverse roles nurse practitioners fulfill in various employment settings, including primary care exam rooms, hospital outpatient clinics, urgent care facilities, and emerging telehealth platforms where flexibility in work hours can also translate into financial rewards.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($164,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62.50 | $500.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70.89 | $567.15 |
| Median (P50) | $78.37 | $626.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92.72 | $741.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101.51 | $812.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brea
Based on $78.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $78.37/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brea, CA can expect to earn approximately $163,017 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $94,048. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Brea.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brea
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,134.95 | $13,585 | $163,017 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,880.97 | $8,151 | $97,810 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,253.98 | $5,434 | $65,207 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Brea) | $78.37 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (National Avg) | $103.40 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.85 |
Nurse Practitioners in Brea, CA earn a median of $163,019 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.11% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 5.10% below the California state average of $171,779.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $78.37/hr = $97,810/year (purchasing power: $86,481).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $163,017/year (purchasing power: $144,136).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$62.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$75.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$78.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $69.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $69.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $84.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $75.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Brea grew 20.5% from $62.89/hr (2019) to $75.76/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $81.08/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse practitioners can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea 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.
Working as an Hourly Nurse Practitioner in Brea
For those considering part-time work, committing to a three-day work week could yield an annual income well into six figures. Alternatively, per diem and locum tenens opportunities present an enticing path for nurse practitioners in Brea, with pay rates for locum NPs often ranging from $80 to $140 per hour depending on specialty, while psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) working in telehealth settings can command between $150 and $200 per hour. Different employer types in Brea offer varying pay structures; for instance, hospital outpatient clinics and urgent care chains may offer stability with health benefits, while independent practices might provide higher hourly compensation without associated benefits. When negotiating pay, it’s essential to weigh these factors carefully and be prepared for discussions about the trade-offs between a higher hourly rate and health insurance benefits, particularly given the unique employment landscape in CA for advanced practice nurses.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse practitioners in Brea. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brea 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