Nurse Practitioner Salary in Maryland: $136,223 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $136,223/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $124,632 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Aspen Hill ($146,611), Gaithersburg ($145,660), Germantown ($145,557).
In Maryland, the average median salary for nurse practitioners in 2026 is projected to be $136,223, which is slightly below the national median of $136,864, resulting in a salary gap of -0.5%. The highest-paying city is Aspen Hill, with a salary of $151,669, while the lowest is Salisbury at $129,881. This $21,788 difference reflects variations in the cost of living, demand for healthcare professionals, and local healthcare policies. Maryland has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that allow nurse practitioners to practice independently, which can influence salary levels. The state's job market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.45% from 2025 BLS data, indicating a steady demand for nurse practitioners. The top cities for nurse practitioners include Gaithersburg at $150,685, Germantown at $150,579, Ellicott City at $150,235, and Waldorf at $150,081, showcasing a concentration of higher salaries in specific areas. Overall, the demand for nurse practitioners in Maryland is driven by population growth, an aging demographic, and a shift towards preventative care, reinforcing the positive outlook for employment in this field.
Maryland Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $100,440 (lowest entry-level) to $198,738 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland nurse practitioners earn 0.47% less than the national median ($-641/year difference).
Maryland Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Maryland range from $105,796 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $173,420 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $136,223. The Maryland median is $641 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $65.49/hr. Approximately 4,803 nurse practitioners are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$112,631
2025 BLS Actual
$131,680
2026 Current Est.
$136,223
2019–2027 Growth
+25.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,631 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,288 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,034 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,324 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,468 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,223 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,922 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 16.9% from $112,631 (2019) to $131,680 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,922 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,291 (25.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Salisbury | $129,881 |
| Hagerstown | $130,595 |
| Lexington Park | $131,857 |
| Towson | $136,014 |
| Baltimore | $136,544 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen Hill | $151,669 | 109.3 | $138,764 |
| Hagerstown | $130,595 | 94.171 | $138,679 |
| Gaithersburg | $150,685 | 109.3 | $137,864 |
| Germantown | $150,579 | 109.3 | $137,767 |
| Ellicott City | $150,235 | 109.3 | $137,452 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $105,796 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $136,223 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $173,420 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aspen Hill | $151,669 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | $150,685 |
| 3 | Germantown | $150,579 |
| 4 | Ellicott City | $150,235 |
| 5 | Waldorf | $150,081 |
| 6 | Wheaton | $149,572 |
| 7 | Bowie | $148,861 |
| 8 | Glen Burnie | $148,399 |
| 9 | Frederick | $146,350 |
| 10 | Annapolis | $146,319 |
| 11 | Severn | $146,313 |
| 12 | College Park | $146,028 |
| 13 | Rockville | $145,840 |
| 14 | Silver Spring | $145,769 |
| 15 | Potomac | $145,076 |
| 16 | Bethesda | $144,490 |
| 17 | Dundalk | $144,490 |
| 18 | Odenton | $143,996 |
| 19 | Catonsville | $142,824 |
| 20 | Laurel | $142,104 |
| 21 | Greenbelt | $141,635 |
| 22 | Columbia | $139,007 |
| 23 | Cumberland | $138,463 |
| 24 | Baltimore | $136,544 |
| 25 | Towson | $136,014 |
| 26 | Lexington Park | $131,857 |
| 27 | Hagerstown | $130,595 |
| 28 | Salisbury | $129,881 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in Maryland cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Compare Cities in Maryland
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Maryland?
How does Maryland nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Maryland?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse practitioner compensation across Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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