Nurse Practitioner Salary in San Francisco, CA: $226,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in San Francisco, CA earns a median $226,638/year (≈ $108.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $196,032 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 31.9% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, nurse practitioners in San Francisco, CA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $226,638, significantly surpassing the national median of $136,864. The salary range for nurse practitioners in this area stretches from $158,568 at the 10th percentile to as high as $283,412 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the demand for specialized practice, particularly for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP), who typically command higher salaries compared to family nurse practitioners (FNP) and acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNP). The competitive pay in San Francisco can be attributed to the area’s robust healthcare market, which necessitates advanced practice roles to meet the diverse needs of its population.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $158,568 | $76.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $182,579 | $87.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $226,638 | $108.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $250,256 | $120.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $283,412 | $136.25 |
Median Salary Position
65.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,844 (2026 est.). At $226,638, the local median is 65.59% above the national median of $136,864.
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At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be above the median
How San Francisco Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $226,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,826 | +31.90% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | +65.59% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $226,638 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $196,032 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$138,100
2025 BLS Actual
$219,080
2026 Current Est.
$226,638
2019–2027 Growth
+69.8%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $138,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $174,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $166,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $192,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $199,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $220,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $219,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $226,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $234,457 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 58.6% from $138,100 (2019) to $219,080 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $234,457 by 2027 — a total increase of $96,357 (69.77%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $158,568 – $182,579 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $182,579 – $226,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $226,638 – $250,256 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $250,256 – $283,412 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in San Francisco
With around 3,110 nurse practitioners actively employed in San Francisco, the local job market demonstrates a strong demand for these professionals. However, the cost of living index in the city, which stands at 115.613, indicates that housing and general expenses are above the national average, thereby impacting take-home purchasing power. Employers such as hospital outpatient clinics and specialty care centers typically offer some of the most lucrative opportunities, alongside telehealth platforms which have grown significantly. Variations in salary often arise from the specialization of practice, with PMHNPs generally earning the most. Moreover, factors such as full practice authority in California, productivity bonuses, and additional income from 1099 arrangements are essential for maximizing compensation in this dynamic market. Nurse practitioners aiming to enhance their earnings should consider pursuing population-focused certifications and exploring diverse employment settings to capitalize on the broad spectrum of opportunities available in San Francisco.
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
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 $219,080 for nurse practitionersin the San Francisco 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
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