Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Merced, CA: $78.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Merced, CA runs $78.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $164,227 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Merced's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $80.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $98,533 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Merced, California, the nurse practitioner hourly pay is projected to reach $78.95 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $65.80 per hour. This competitive rate can provide substantial earnings for part-time and per-diem nurse practitioners, especially in typical settings like primary care exam rooms, hospital outpatient clinics, and urgent care facilities. For those working three days a week, this translates to roughly $6,312 monthly when averaging a 24-hour workweek, making it an attractive option for those seeking flexible hours. Additionally, the hourly range for nurse practitioners in Merced extends from $64.45 for entry-level positions to $97.34 for the top earners, offering a spectrum of opportunities within the profession. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64.45 | $515.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69.00 | $552.01 |
| Median (P50) | $78.95 | $631.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.48 | $643.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.34 | $778.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merced
Based on $78.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $78.95/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merced, CA can expect to earn approximately $164,222 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $94,744. With a cost-of-living index of 98.28 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merced.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merced
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,158.12 | $13,685 | $164,222 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,894.87 | $8,211 | $98,533 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,263.25 | $5,474 | $65,689 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Merced) | $78.95 |
| 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 Merced, CA earn a median of $164,227 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.99% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 4.40% below the California state average of $171,785.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $78.95/hr = $98,533/year (purchasing power: $100,263).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $164,222/year (purchasing power: $167,105).
CoL index: 98.275 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$66.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$76.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$78.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $67.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $67.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $73.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $76.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Merced grew 15.6% from $66.03/hr (2019) to $76.32/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $81.68/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 Merced 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 Merced
Exploring part-time income, those nurse practitioners in Merced working a three-day schedule could earn around $75,744 annually, a significant difference compared to their full-time counterparts. The per diem nurse practitioner pay in Merced varies widely, with locum tenens roles commanding between $80 and $140 per hour, while psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners working in telehealth settings may earn even more, reportedly between $150 and $200 per hour. The type of employer also influences pay rates, with hospital outpatient clinics, primary care practices, and telehealth platforms offering variable compensation structures. Some practitioners might accept lower hourly wages for the security of benefits, while others prefer higher pay without the perks. When negotiating, professionals should highlight their specialized skills and consider market demand, adjusting expectations according to their unique circumstances and the local job market in Merced.
More salary data for Merced, 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 Merced. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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