Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Santa Maria, CA: $82.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Santa Maria, CA runs $82.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $171,293 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Santa Maria's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.8, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $75.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $102,768 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Maria, California, the nurse practitioner hourly pay reaches a median of $82.35, significantly surpassing the national hourly median of $65.80. This hourly rate offers attractive opportunities for part-time workers—those who might choose to work three days a week could earn a substantial income while maintaining a flexible schedule. As nurse practitioners (NPs) often take on roles in various settings such as primary care, hospital outpatient clinics, and urgent care, the potential range of hourly earnings spans from $64.88 for entry-level positions to $109.75 for the most experienced practitioners. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects these figures based on data from 2025, setting benchmarks for what can be expected in 2026.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64.88 | $519.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75.63 | $605.06 |
| Median (P50) | $82.35 | $658.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94.74 | $757.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109.75 | $878.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Maria
Based on $82.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $82.35/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Maria, CA can expect to earn approximately $171,280 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $98,815. With a cost-of-living index of 108.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Maria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Maria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,293.85 | $14,273 | $171,280 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,976.31 | $8,564 | $102,768 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,317.54 | $5,709 | $68,512 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Santa Maria) | $82.35 |
| 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 Santa Maria, CA earn a median of $171,293 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.16% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 0.30% below the California state average of $171,808.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $82.35/hr = $102,768/year (purchasing power: $94,458).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $171,280/year (purchasing power: $157,429).
CoL index: 108.798 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$62.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$79.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$82.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $65.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $64.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $82.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $79.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Santa Maria grew 27.7% from $62.32/hr (2019) to $79.60/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $85.19/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 Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria
For part-time NPs in Santa Maria working just 24 hours a week, the annual income can still be significantly rewarding. Those working on a per-diem or locum basis in specialty areas may earn anywhere from $80 to as much as $200 per hour, depending on their specific field or arrangement, with psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) frequently capitalizing on the high demand through telehealth channels. Hourly rates vary across different employer types, such as shifts in remuneration between urgent care chains and independent primary care practices, and this can lead to a range in average earnings based on the benefits offered. For some NPs, a lower hourly wage might be acceptable for the provision of health insurance and other benefits, while others may prioritize higher compensation with fewer benefits. Negotiating hourly pay in this market is crucial; being informed about local rates and utilizing specialty skills can enhance leverage during discussions with potential employers.
More salary data for Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria. 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