Nurse Practitioner Salary in Joplin, MO: $131,009 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Joplin, MO earns a median $131,009/year (≈ $62.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Joplin's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $152,837 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source

Joplin, Missouri, presents a competitive environment for nurse practitioners, with a projected median annual salary of $131,009 in 2026. This figure marks a notable variance from the national median of $136,864, indicating a pay level that is approximately 4.28% lower than the national average. The salary range here extends from $107,743 at the 10th percentile to $159,696 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse earning potential largely dependent on specialization and type of practice. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, emphasizes how Missouri's classification as a collaboration-required state influences compensation structures for nurse practitioners, potentially affecting average earnings and job opportunities locally.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,743 | $51.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,071 | $61.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,009 | $62.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,516 | $69.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,696 | $76.78 |
Median Salary Position
4.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joplin
In Joplin, MO, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,953 (2026 est.). At $131,009, the local median is 4.28% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joplin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joplin Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Joplin median: $131,009/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joplin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $133,275 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | -4.28% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Joplin, MO earn a median of $131,009 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.28% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 1.70% below the Missouri state average of $133,275.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joplin has a cost of living 14.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Joplin, MO has a cost-of-living index of 85.718 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $131,009 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $152,837 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,220
2025 BLS Actual
$126,640
2026 Current Est.
$131,009
2019–2027 Growth
+32.6%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,009 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,529 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joplin metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 23.9% from $102,220 (2019) to $126,640 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,529 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,309 (32.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joplin 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) | $107,743 – $128,071 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,071 – $131,009 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,009 – $143,516 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,516 – $159,696 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Joplin
Within this context, Joplin's job market consists of around 230 nurse practitioners, demonstrating a moderate level of employment in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 85.718, practitioners may find their take-home pay stretches further compared to national standards. Healthcare facilities including hospital outpatient clinics and specialty clinics are typically among the top employers offering favorable compensation packages. Factors such as specialty focus—where positions in psychiatric-mental health nursing often surpass those in primary care—play a significant role in income disparities. To maximize pay, nurses should consider enhancing their expertise through population-focused certifications that align with local healthcare demands, exploring telehealth opportunities, and seeking roles within higher-paying specialties or facilities.
More salary data for Joplin, MO:
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 $126,640 for nurse practitionersin the Joplin 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