Nurse Practitioner Salary in San Mateo, CA: $173,643 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in San Mateo, CA earns a median $173,643/year (≈ $83.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in San Mateo's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $153,531 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nurse practitioner salary in San Mateo, California, is projected to reach a median of $173,643, significantly higher than the national median of $136,864. This local figure reflects the diverse specialties within the field, revealing a distinct pay gradient that favors Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) over Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) and Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNP). Salary estimates show a range from $124,201 at the lower end (P10) to a high of $237,995 at the 90th percentile (P90), indicating a competitive market for nurse practitioners. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and account for regional economic conditions, making San Mateo an attractive locale for advanced practice nursing.
About the San Mateo Market
Salary estimated from California average ($164,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $124,201 | $59.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $157,801 | $75.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $173,643 | $83.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $204,878 | $98.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $237,995 | $114.42 |
Median Salary Position
26.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Mateo
In San Mateo, CA, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,794 (2026 est.). At $173,643, the local median is 26.87% above the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Mateo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Mateo Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
San Mateo median: $173,643/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Mateo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,754 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | +26.87% more |
Nurse Practitioners in San Mateo, CA earn a median of $173,643 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.87% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 1.10% above the California state average of $171,754.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Mateo has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Mateo, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $173,643 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $153,531 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$139,331
2025 BLS Actual
$167,852
2026 Current Est.
$173,643
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in San Mateo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,331 | Actual |
| 2020 | $141,691 | Actual |
| 2021 | $153,109 | Actual |
| 2022 | $154,289 | Actual |
| 2023 | $160,189 | Actual |
| 2024 | $187,451 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,852 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $173,643 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $179,634 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Mateo metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $139,331 (2019) to $167,852 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $179,634 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,303 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Mateo 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) | $124,201 – $157,801 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $157,801 – $173,643 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $173,643 – $204,878 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $204,878 – $237,995 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in San Mateo
The local job market in San Mateo hosts just 21 nurse practitioners, shaping a close-knit community of professionals who navigate varied employer landscapes, including hospital outpatient clinics, urgent care chains, and telehealth platforms. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, practitioners must consider how the area's expenses impact their take-home pay, emphasizing the need to maximize income potential. Higher salaries are typically driven by specialty focus, such as PMHNPs commanding premium rates due to mental health demands, alongside full-practice authority that allows for greater autonomy and productivity bonuses. For those seeking to enhance their earnings in this market, exploring opportunities with specialty clinics or telehealth platforms could provide lucrative options while capitalizing on the demand for diverse nurse practitioner skills in San Mateo, CA.
More salary data for San Mateo, 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 $167,852 for nurse practitionersin the San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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