Nurse Practitioner Salary in Massachusetts: $149,254 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 59 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $149,254/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $137,561 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boston ($147,480), Newton ($146,294), Cambridge ($143,958).
In Massachusetts, nurse practitioners (NPs) can expect an average median salary of $149,254 in 2026, which is 9.1% higher than the national median of $136,864. The highest salaries are found in Boston at $152,568, while the lowest are in Andover at $134,775, creating a salary gap of $17,793. This disparity reflects variations in the cost of living, healthcare demand, and the concentration of medical facilities in urban areas compared to more suburban or rural locations. Massachusetts has specific state licensing requirements and a scope of practice that allows NPs to perform many primary care functions independently. This regulatory environment, combined with an aging population and increasing emphasis on preventative care, drives demand for nurse practitioners, contributing to the projected annual growth rate of 3.45%. The job market for NPs in Massachusetts is stable, with a total of 8,457 employed in the field. The top projected salaries in other cities include Newton at $151,341, Cambridge at $148,925, Lynn at $146,198, and Barnstable Town at $144,664. These figures highlight the ongoing need for skilled healthcare providers, making Massachusetts a significant region for nurse practitioners considering their career options.
Massachusetts Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $92,453 (lowest entry-level) to $219,821 (highest top earner)
Massachusetts vs National Average
Massachusetts nurse practitioners earn 9.05% more than the national median (+$12,390/year difference).
Massachusetts Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Massachusetts range from $117,122 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $211,163 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $149,254. The Massachusetts median is $12,390 above the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $71.75/hr. Approximately 8,457 nurse practitioners are employed across 59 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$119,693
2025 BLS Actual
$144,276
2026 Current Est.
$149,254
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Massachusetts (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,693 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,024 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,458 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,689 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,077 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,624 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,276 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $149,254 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,403 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $119,693 (2019) to $144,276 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,403 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,710 (29.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Andover | $134,775 |
| Leominster | $135,106 |
| Wellesley | $135,228 |
| Chelmsford | $135,304 |
| Woburn | $135,426 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Massachusetts
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | $143,237 | 96.061 | $149,110 |
| Pittsfield | $141,447 | 95.106 | $148,726 |
| Barnstable Town | $144,664 | 98.351 | $147,090 |
| Boston | $152,568 | 108.266 | $140,920 |
| Newton | $151,341 | 108.5 | $139,485 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $117,122 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $149,254 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $211,163 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 59 Cities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $152,568 |
| 2 | Newton | $151,341 |
| 3 | Cambridge | $148,925 |
| 4 | Lynn | $146,198 |
| 5 | Barnstable Town | $144,664 |
| 6 | Somerville | $144,284 |
| 7 | Revere | $144,058 |
| 8 | Brockton | $143,564 |
| 9 | New Bedford | $143,403 |
| 10 | Plymouth | $143,314 |
| 11 | Springfield | $143,237 |
| 12 | Malden | $142,795 |
| 13 | Haverhill | $142,773 |
| 14 | Lowell | $142,736 |
| 15 | Framingham | $142,672 |
| 16 | Peabody | $142,480 |
| 17 | Weymouth | $142,051 |
| 18 | Chicopee | $141,623 |
| 19 | Randolph | $141,468 |
| 20 | Pittsfield | $141,447 |
| 21 | Quincy | $141,218 |
| 22 | Amherst | $141,049 |
| 23 | Chelsea | $141,038 |
| 24 | Medford | $140,654 |
| 25 | Fall River | $140,518 |
| 26 | Marlborough | $140,518 |
| 27 | Watertown | $140,496 |
| 28 | Fitchburg | $140,386 |
| 29 | Methuen | $140,332 |
| 30 | Taunton | $140,270 |
| 31 | Arlington | $140,220 |
| 32 | Needham | $139,856 |
| 33 | Westfield | $139,789 |
| 34 | Worcester | $139,782 |
| 35 | Everett | $139,767 |
| 36 | Holyoke | $139,049 |
| 37 | Beverly | $138,817 |
| 38 | Lawrence | $138,816 |
| 39 | Dartmouth | $138,652 |
| 40 | Waltham | $138,511 |
| 41 | Barnstable | $138,364 |
| 42 | Brookline | $138,061 |
| 43 | Billerica | $137,845 |
| 44 | Amherst Town | $137,640 |
| 45 | Braintree | $137,382 |
| 46 | Salem | $137,150 |
| 47 | Natick | $137,061 |
| 48 | Dracut | $136,343 |
| 49 | Lexington | $136,255 |
| 50 | Stoughton | $136,255 |
| 51 | Shrewsbury | $136,078 |
| 52 | Northampton | $135,817 |
| 53 | Franklin | $135,714 |
| 54 | Attleboro | $135,603 |
| 55 | Woburn | $135,426 |
| 56 | Chelmsford | $135,304 |
| 57 | Wellesley | $135,228 |
| 58 | Leominster | $135,106 |
| 59 | Andover | $134,775 |
More Massachusetts Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in Massachusetts cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Compare Cities in Massachusetts
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Massachusetts in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Massachusetts?
How does Massachusetts nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Massachusetts?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Massachusetts?
Which Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 59 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