Nurse Practitioner Salary in Palmdale, CA: $170,727 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Palmdale, CA earns a median $170,727/year (≈ $82.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Palmdale's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $150,952 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Palmdale, California, the nurse practitioner salary in 2026 is projected to be a median of $170,727, significantly higher than the national average of $136,864. This robust compensation reflects the state's full-practice authority policy, enabling nurse practitioners to operate independently without the oversight of a physician. The salary range for nurse practitioners in this region spans from $131,006 at the 10th percentile up to $234,499 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost factors, demonstrate the competitive market for skilled practitioners in Palmdale, particularly as healthcare demands continue to escalate in the area.
About the Palmdale Market
Salary estimated from California average ($164,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $131,006 | $62.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $151,741 | $72.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $170,727 | $82.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $208,306 | $100.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $234,499 | $112.74 |
Median Salary Position
24.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palmdale
In Palmdale, CA, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,493 (2026 est.). At $170,727, the local median is 24.74% above the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palmdale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palmdale Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Palmdale median: $170,727/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palmdale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,757 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | +24.74% more |
Nurse Practitioners in Palmdale, CA earn a median of $170,727 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.74% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 0.60% below the California state average of $171,757.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palmdale has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palmdale, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $170,727 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $150,952 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$136,991
2025 BLS Actual
$165,033
2026 Current Est.
$170,727
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Palmdale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $136,991 | Actual |
| 2020 | $139,311 | Actual |
| 2021 | $150,538 | Actual |
| 2022 | $151,698 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,499 | Actual |
| 2024 | $184,304 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,033 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $170,727 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,617 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palmdale metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $136,991 (2019) to $165,033 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,617 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,626 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palmdale 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $131,006 – $151,741 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $151,741 – $170,727 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $170,727 – $208,306 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $208,306 – $234,499 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Palmdale
The local job market presently employs 29 nurse practitioners, indicating a focused yet growing demand for healthcare professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing power for nurse practitioners in Palmdale is somewhat strained compared to national averages. Hospitals and outpatient clinics often offer the highest salaries, while primary care practices and telehealth platforms like Teladoc also remain competitive. The variation in pay can largely be attributed to factors such as specialized population focus, with psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP) often commanding higher wages due to increased demand in mental health services. To maximize earnings in Palmdale, practitioners should consider embracing full-practice capabilities, targeting high-need specialties, and exploring opportunities for side income through telehealth or locum tenens roles, which can enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Palmdale, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $165,033 for nurse practitionersin the Palmdale metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Palmdale 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