Nurse Practitioner Salary in Boston, MA: $152,568 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Boston, MA earns a median $152,568/year (≈ $73.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Boston's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.3), that paycheck buys what $140,920 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% above the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the nurse practitioner salary in Boston, Massachusetts, reaches a substantial median of $152,568, representing an increase over previous years and surpassing the national average by 11.47%. Salary figures for this profession demonstrate a wide range, with the lower end at $120,623 and the upper tier at $219,821, reflecting lucrative opportunities depending on specialization and employment structure. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which illustrate not only the financial potential within nurse practitioner pay in Boston, MA, but also the impact of practice settings. With a notable demand for advanced practice providers, the city remains an attractive locale for both full-time employees and independent contractors exploring 1099 telehealth roles, each presenting unique salary dynamics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $120,623 | $57.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $138,985 | $66.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $152,568 | $73.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,975 | $85.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $219,821 | $105.68 |
Median Salary Position
11.47% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boston
In Boston, MA, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,198 (2026 est.). At $152,568, the local median is 11.47% above the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boston Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Boston median: $152,568/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $142,321 | +7.20% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | +11.47% more |
Nurse Practitioners in Boston, MA earn a median of $152,568 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.47% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 7.20% above the Massachusetts state average of $142,321.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boston has a cost of living 8.27% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boston, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.266 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $152,568 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $140,920 — a 7.63% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,870
2025 BLS Actual
$147,480
2026 Current Est.
$152,568
2019–2027 Growth
+30.6%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $134,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $147,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $152,568 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $157,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boston metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 22.0% from $120,870 (2019) to $147,480 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $157,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,962 (30.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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) | $120,623 – $138,985 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $138,985 – $152,568 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $152,568 – $177,975 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,975 – $219,821 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Boston
When evaluating the local job market, it's evident that Boston employs around 5,990 nurse practitioners, a telling factor that contributes to the robust earning potential in the area. The cost of living index stands at 108.266, indicating a higher-than-average living expense which influences take-home purchasing power. Among various employers, those in hospital outpatient clinics and specialty practices tend to offer the most competitive salaries, partly due to the increasing demands for mental health professionals and other specialized areas. Factors such as nursing specialties, state regulations allowing full-practice authority, and productivity bonuses can substantially widen the salary gap between different roles. To maximize earnings, practitioners should consider focusing on high-demand specialties, leveraging platforms for telehealth services, and negotiating compensation that reflects their expertise and the costs associated with collaboration agreements in restricted-practice environments.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
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 $147,480 for nurse practitionersin the Boston 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