Nurse Practitioner Salary in Minnesota: $136,854 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $136,854/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $138,938 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Mankato ($138,580), Duluth ($136,530), Maple Grove ($135,179).
In Minnesota, the average median salary for nurse practitioners in 2026 is projected to be $136,854, closely aligning with the national median of $136,864, reflecting a minimal 0.0% difference. The highest-paying city in the state is Mankato, where nurse practitioners can expect to earn $143,361, while the lowest is Faribault at $130,331, highlighting a salary gap of $13,030. This difference can be attributed to varying demand levels, cost of living, and the presence of healthcare facilities in these areas. Minnesota nurse practitioners benefit from a well-defined scope of practice that allows for significant autonomy in patient care, which is supported by state licensing requirements that streamline the path to practice. Additionally, the demand for healthcare services is on the rise, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 3.45% in the profession, as noted in data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With a total of 7,342 nurse practitioners employed across 44 metro areas, the job market appears strong. Top cities for employment opportunities include Duluth at $141,240, Maple Grove at $139,843, Woodbury at $139,788, and Eden Prairie at $139,656. Overall, Minnesota presents a stable and appealing landscape for nurse practitioners seeking to expand their careers.
Minnesota Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $86,939 (lowest entry-level) to $195,258 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota nurse practitioners earn 0.01% less than the national median ($-10/year difference).
Minnesota Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Minnesota range from $103,680 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $175,287 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $136,854. The Minnesota median is $10 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $65.80/hr. Approximately 7,342 nurse practitioners are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$118,288
2025 BLS Actual
$132,290
2026 Current Est.
$136,854
2019–2027 Growth
+19.7%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,288 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,104 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,252 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,939 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,128 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,854 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,576 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 11.8% from $118,288 (2019) to $132,290 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,576 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,288 (19.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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 Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $141,240 | 88.768 | $159,111 |
| Mankato | $143,361 | 90.955 | $157,618 |
| St. Cloud | $136,057 | 87.632 | $155,259 |
| Rochester | $130,626 | 90.821 | $143,828 |
| Maple Grove | $139,843 | 98.5 | $141,973 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $103,680 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $136,854 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $175,287 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mankato | $143,361 |
| 2 | Duluth | $141,240 |
| 3 | Maple Grove | $139,843 |
| 4 | Woodbury | $139,788 |
| 5 | Eden Prairie | $139,656 |
| 6 | Minneapolis | $137,971 |
| 7 | Owatonna | $136,964 |
| 8 | Brooklyn Park | $136,783 |
| 9 | St. Paul | $136,586 |
| 10 | Plymouth | $136,543 |
| 11 | Roseville | $136,461 |
| 12 | Chaska | $136,353 |
| 13 | Minnetonka | $136,324 |
| 14 | Cottage Grove | $136,171 |
| 15 | Burnsville | $136,062 |
| 16 | St. Cloud | $136,057 |
| 17 | Lakeville | $135,559 |
| 18 | Bloomington | $135,527 |
| 19 | Chanhassen | $135,465 |
| 20 | Inver Grove Heights | $135,251 |
| 21 | Eagan | $135,231 |
| 22 | Brooklyn Center | $135,197 |
| 23 | Elk River | $135,176 |
| 24 | Prior Lake | $135,036 |
| 25 | Ramsey | $134,544 |
| 26 | Blaine | $133,974 |
| 27 | Apple Valley | $133,767 |
| 28 | Shakopee | $133,634 |
| 29 | Coon Rapids | $133,614 |
| 30 | Savage | $133,399 |
| 31 | Edina | $133,384 |
| 32 | Maplewood | $132,991 |
| 33 | Andover | $132,959 |
| 34 | Richfield | $132,895 |
| 35 | St. Louis Park | $132,885 |
| 36 | Moorhead | $132,692 |
| 37 | Northfield | $131,732 |
| 38 | Hastings | $131,452 |
| 39 | Fridley | $130,861 |
| 40 | Winona | $130,754 |
| 41 | Shoreview | $130,701 |
| 42 | Rochester | $130,626 |
| 43 | Austin | $130,497 |
| 44 | Faribault | $130,331 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in Minnesota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Minnesota?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota 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 Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 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