Nurse Practitioner Salary in Watertown, NY: $138,520 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Watertown, NY earns a median $138,520/year (≈ $66.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.7), that paycheck buys what $157,966 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, nurse practitioners in Watertown, NY can expect a median annual salary of $138,520, which is slightly above the national median of $136,864. The salary range for this role showcases a notable spectrum of compensation, with the lower percentile earning approximately $111,302 and the higher end reaching about $163,554. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting a competitive landscape for nurse practitioner pay in Watertown. Specialties such as psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) usually command higher salaries than family nurse practitioners (FNPs) or adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNPs), driven by the acute demand for mental health services in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $111,302 | $53.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,233 | $61.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,520 | $66.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,009 | $74.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,554 | $78.63 |
Median Salary Position
1.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, NY, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,252 (2026 est.). At $138,520, the local median is 1.21% above the national median of $136,864.
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At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be above the median
How Watertown Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Watertown median: $138,520/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $140,486 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | +1.21% more |
Nurse Practitioners in Watertown, NY earn a median of $138,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.21% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 1.40% below the New York state average of $140,486.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown has a cost of living 12.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Watertown, NY has a cost-of-living index of 87.69 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $138,520 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $157,966 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.04% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,400
2025 BLS Actual
$133,900
2026 Current Est.
$138,520
2019–2027 Growth
+34.7%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,520 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,298 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 25.8% from $106,400 (2019) to $133,900 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,298 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,898 (34.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $111,302 – $127,233 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,233 – $138,520 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,520 – $155,009 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,009 – $163,554 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Watertown
The local job market for nurse practitioners remains stable with around 70 professionals employed in the area, and the cost of living index stands at 87.69, indicating a lower cost of living compared to national averages. This situation improves the purchasing power of nurse practitioner salaries in Watertown. Major employers that typically offer higher salaries include hospital outpatient clinics and specialty practices, where the need for expertise such as that from PMHNPs is on the rise. Factors influencing salary variations include the state’s full-practice authority status, productivity bonuses, and opportunities for additional income through telehealth platforms. For those looking to maximize their nurse practitioner pay in Watertown, specializing in high-demand areas, considering roles with greater autonomy, and exploring locum opportunities can yield significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Watertown, NY:
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 $133,900 for nurse practitionersin the Watertown 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