Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Athens, GA: $63.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Athens, GA runs $63.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,561 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Athens's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,542 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

For nurse practitioners in Athens, Georgia, the 2026 median hourly pay is projected to be $63.74, slightly below the national median of $65.80. This compensation allows part-time NPs, who might work three days a week, to earn a significant income while working in diverse settings such as primary care offices, outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, and telehealth environments. The hourly wage range for nurse practitioners in Athens spans from $44.99 at the 10th percentile to approximately $80.64 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a spectrum of earning potential that accommodates both entry-level practitioners and experienced professionals. With the cost of living index in Athens at 93.343—below the national average—these hourly wages may stretch further, especially for those considering per diem work or locum tenens opportunities.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.99 | $359.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.48 | $419.84 |
| Median (P50) | $63.74 | $509.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.67 | $549.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.64 | $645.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Athens
Based on $63.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.74/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Athens, GA can expect to earn approximately $132,570 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,483. With a cost-of-living index of 93.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Athens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Athens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,549.42 | $11,047 | $132,570 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,529.65 | $6,628 | $79,542 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,019.77 | $4,419 | $53,028 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Athens) | $63.74 |
| 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 Athens, GA earn a median of $132,561 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.14% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 6.50% above the Georgia state average of $124,470.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.74/hr = $79,542/year (purchasing power: $85,215).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,570/year (purchasing power: $142,025).
CoL index: 93.343 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Athens grew 33.6% from $46.12/hr (2019) to $61.61/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.93/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 Athens 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 Athens
Considering a part-time schedule of 24 hours a week, a nurse practitioner in Athens would take home considerably less than full-time counterparts. The annual earnings for these part-time positions can vary widely, depending on specialty and setting. For example, locum tenens nurse practitioners might command higher per diem fees, often billing anywhere from $80 to $140 per hour, particularly in high-demand areas like mental health or specialized care. In contrast, per diem nurse practitioner pay in Athens tends to be competitive, allowing for flexible work arrangements that can appeal to those willing to trade benefits for higher hourly rates. However, the decision between W-2 positions and independent contractor roles can influence overall job satisfaction and financial stability. Negotiating rates becomes crucial in Athens, especially when evaluating positions across diverse employer types such as hospital systems, urgent care chains, and retail clinics—all of which can affect wages due to variations in funding and health insurance coverage availability.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Athens 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 Athens. 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