Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in San Francisco, CA: $108.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in San Francisco, CA runs $108.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $226,638 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against San Francisco's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.6, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $94.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $135,987 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Nurse practitioners in San Francisco, California, are compensated at a competitive median hourly rate of $108.96, significantly higher than the national median of $65.80. This premium reflects the city’s high cost of living and the growing demand for healthcare services. For part-time practitioners working three days a week, or per-diem professionals, this hourly pay structure provides an attractive earning potential in various settings, including primary care facilities, urgent care clinics, and telehealth platforms. With an hourly range stretching from $76.23 at the entry level to $136.25 for top earners, the profession offers diverse opportunities for both experienced and new nurse practitioners to thrive in the dynamic healthcare environment of San Francisco. The data presented here is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76.23 | $609.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87.78 | $702.22 |
| Median (P50) | $108.96 | $871.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120.31 | $962.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136.25 | $1090.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Francisco
Based on $108.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $108.96/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Francisco, CA can expect to earn approximately $226,645 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $130,757. With a cost-of-living index of 115.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Francisco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Francisco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,358.56 | $18,887 | $226,645 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,615.13 | $11,332 | $135,987 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,743.42 | $7,555 | $90,658 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (San Francisco) | $108.96 |
| 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 San Francisco, CA earn a median of $226,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 65.59% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 31.90% above the California state average of $171,826.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $108.96/hr = $135,987/year (purchasing power: $117,623).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $226,645/year (purchasing power: $196,038).
CoL index: 115.613 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$66.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$105.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$108.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+69.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $83.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $80.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $92.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $96.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $105.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $105.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in San Francisco grew 58.6% from $66.40/hr (2019) to $105.33/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $112.72/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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco
Exploring the part-time earning potential, a nurse practitioner working 24 hours a week can take home around $85,000 annually, providing a lucrative alternative to a full-time schedule. In addition, the per diem nurse practitioner pay in San Francisco varies widely; locum tenens professionals can expect to earn between $80 and $140 per hour, while psychiatric nurse practitioners offering telehealth services may bill upwards of $150 to $200 per hour. The variations in hourly rates depend on the employer type, with hospital outpatient clinics typically providing more stable pay relative to independent primary care practices and urgent care chains. Many nurse practitioners must choose between higher hourly rates without benefits in 1099 roles and more stable positions that include health insurance. For those considering a negotiated hourly rate, strong bargaining skills and a thorough understanding of the local market dynamics are essential for aligning compensation with experience and specialization.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 San Francisco. 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