Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Irvine, CA: $85.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Irvine, CA runs $85.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $178,484 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Irvine's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $75.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $107,093 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Irvine, CA, the nurse practitioner hourly pay is projected to be $85.81 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $65.80. This means that a nurse practitioner working part-time, such as three days a week, can expect to earn a comfortable living while maintaining flexibility, especially in settings like primary care clinics, urgent care centers, and telehealth platforms. With entry-level hourly pay starting at around $64.44 and top earners making up to $119.27, the spectrum of earnings in this profession is quite broad. It is also important to highlight that these hourly rates are extrapolated from annual salary data, making them a reliable measure for understanding compensation trends for both full-time and per diem positions in the area.
About the Irvine 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) | $64.44 | $515.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75.73 | $605.80 |
| Median (P50) | $85.81 | $686.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106.74 | $853.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119.27 | $954.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Irvine
Based on $85.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $85.81/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Irvine, CA can expect to earn approximately $178,488 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $102,974. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Irvine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Irvine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,432.47 | $14,874 | $178,488 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,059.48 | $8,924 | $107,093 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,372.99 | $5,950 | $71,395 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Irvine) | $85.81 |
| 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 Irvine, CA earn a median of $178,484 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.41% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 3.90% above the California state average of $171,785.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $85.81/hr = $107,093/year (purchasing power: $94,689).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $178,488/year (purchasing power: $157,815).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$68.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$82.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$85.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $70.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $75.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $76.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $79.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $92.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $82.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Irvine grew 20.5% from $68.86/hr (2019) to $82.95/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $88.77/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 Irvine 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 Irvine
For those considering part-time work as a nurse practitioner in Irvine, working 24 hours a week can yield an annual income that still surpasses that of many full-time positions, underscoring the allure of part-time roles in this field. Per diem and locum tenens opportunities often present flexible hours and competitive rates; nurse practitioners working in locum positions can bill anywhere from $80 to $140 an hour, while psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) participating in telehealth can earn upwards of $150 to $200 per hour. However, hourly rates can vary significantly depending on the type of employer; for instance, urgent care centers and retail clinics may offer lower rates compared to specialty clinics or telehealth platforms. Nurse practitioners in Irvine may need to weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly pay without benefits against roles with comprehensive health insurance. Negotiation strategies such as emphasizing specialties or securing well-defined contracts can play an integral role in successfully navigating hourly pay discussions in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Irvine, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Irvine in 2026?
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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 Irvine. 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 Irvine 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