Nurse Practitioner Salary in Pennsylvania: $135,953 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 25 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $135,953/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $139,582 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bethlehem ($137,152), Philadelphia ($135,700), Reading ($135,390).
In 2026, nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania can expect an average median salary of $135,953, slightly below the national median of $136,864, indicating a difference of just 0.7%. Salary variances across the state highlight significant disparities, with Bethlehem offering the highest pay at $141,884, while Johnstown has the lowest at $119,950. This $21,934 gap is largely influenced by factors such as the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas compared to rural ones. Pennsylvania's nurse practitioners must navigate specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact their operational autonomy. The demand for nurse practitioners in the state is supported by a projected annual growth rate of 3.45%, reflecting an increasing emphasis on primary care and the need to address healthcare shortages. Major metropolitan areas including Philadelphia, Reading, Lancaster, and Allentown also offer competitive salaries, with expected figures of $140,382, $140,061, $138,561, and $138,509, respectively. Overall, the job market for nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania shows promise, driven by an expanding healthcare landscape and an ongoing need for specialized medical care.
Pennsylvania Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $88,957 (lowest entry-level) to $183,570 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania nurse practitioners earn 0.67% less than the national median ($-911/year difference).
Pennsylvania Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Pennsylvania range from $106,916 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $168,606 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $135,953. The Pennsylvania median is $911 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $65.36/hr. Approximately 12,120 nurse practitioners are employed across 25 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$104,511
2025 BLS Actual
$131,419
2026 Current Est.
$135,953
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,511 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,925 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,666 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,743 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,419 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,953 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,644 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 25.7% from $104,511 (2019) to $131,419 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,644 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,133 (34.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Johnstown | $119,950 |
| Chambersburg | $121,843 |
| Pittsburgh | $123,757 |
| West Chester | $123,779 |
| Altoona | $124,068 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem | $141,884 | 97.4 | $145,671 |
| Reading | $140,061 | 97.06 | $144,304 |
| Gettysburg | $137,082 | 95.379 | $143,723 |
| Lebanon | $133,233 | 93.214 | $142,932 |
| York | $136,244 | 96 | $141,921 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $106,916 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $135,953 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $168,606 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 25 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethlehem | $141,884 |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $140,382 |
| 3 | Reading | $140,061 |
| 4 | Lancaster | $138,561 |
| 5 | Allentown | $138,509 |
| 6 | Harrisburg | $137,247 |
| 7 | Gettysburg | $137,082 |
| 8 | York | $136,244 |
| 9 | Easton | $136,132 |
| 10 | Lebanon | $133,233 |
| 11 | Scranton | $131,195 |
| 12 | Wilkes-Barre | $130,110 |
| 13 | State College | $128,764 |
| 14 | Hazleton | $128,304 |
| 15 | Williamsport | $128,102 |
| 16 | Norristown | $128,058 |
| 17 | Chester | $127,761 |
| 18 | New Castle | $126,493 |
| 19 | Erie | $126,312 |
| 20 | Pottstown | $124,694 |
| 21 | Altoona | $124,068 |
| 22 | West Chester | $123,779 |
| 23 | Pittsburgh | $123,757 |
| 24 | Chambersburg | $121,843 |
| 25 | Johnstown | $119,950 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Pennsylvania?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 25 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