Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.
Nurse Practitioners
SOC: 29-1171 O*NET: 29-1171.00
Median Salary
$129,210
per year
Job Growth
🚀 40.1%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
29.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.
What does a Nurse Practitioners do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$97,960
10th percentile
Early Career
$109,940
25th percentile
Median
$129,210
50th percentile
Experienced
$149,570
75th percentile
Top Earners
$169,950
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$97,960
25th
$109,940
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$129,210
Mean: $132,000
75th
$149,570
90th
$169,950
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $71,990 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $109,940 and $149,570
- •Salary spread is 30.7% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 307,390 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Very High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:320,400
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services64.3%
Offices of Physicians46.6%
Hospitals20.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+40.1%
Annual Openings:29,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)320,400
Current
2034 (Projected)448,800
+40.1%
+128,400
Employment Change
+40.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Much faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Nurse Practitioners professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Florida
24,690 jobs$129,0101.26x
Texas
21,690 jobs$129,8800.79x
California
20,980 jobs$166,6100.58x
New York
20,430 jobs$145,3901.07x
Ohio
14,550 jobs$126,7401.32x
Tennessee
14,300 jobs$108,4202.19x
Pennsylvania
10,860 jobs$127,4000.91x
Georgia
10,580 jobs$126,0601.09x
New Jersey
9,590 jobs$149,6201.13x
Illinois
9,560 jobs$128,6200.79x
Massachusetts
8,920 jobs$138,8901.23x
Minnesota
8,690 jobs$128,5701.49x
North Carolina
8,020 jobs$125,0200.82x
Michigan
7,900 jobs$125,6200.90x
Arizona
7,540 jobs$133,7901.18x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Much faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Complex Problem Solving
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Monitoring
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Writing
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Complex Problem Solving
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Writing
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers100%
5 shared skills
Urologists100%
5 shared skills
Audiologists100%
5 shared skills
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators100%
5 shared skills
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists100%
5 shared skills
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates100%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Complex Problem Solving
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Complex Problem Solving
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Nurse Practitioners
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TecheClinicalWorks EHR software
🔥 Hot TechEpic Systems
🔥 Hot TechMEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Epic Systems
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Management & Supervision (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)General Responsibilities (14)Operations & Execution (3)Planning & Development (2)
1
Educate patients about self-management of acute or chronic illnesses, tailoring instructions to patients' individual circumstances.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision100% perform100%
2
Schedule follow-up visits to monitor patients or evaluate health or illness care.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform98%
3
Counsel patients about drug regimens and possible side effects or interactions with other substances, such as food supplements, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, or herbal remedies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Order, perform, or interpret the results of diagnostic tests, such as complete blood counts (CBCs), electrocardiograms (EKGs), and radiographs (x-rays).
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Analyze and interpret patients' histories, symptoms, physical findings, or diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnoses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Diagnose or treat acute health care problems, such as illnesses, infections, or injuries.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Diagnose or treat chronic health care problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Diagnose or treat complex, unstable, comorbid, episodic, or emergency conditions in collaboration with other health care providers as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Treat or refer patients for primary care conditions, such as headaches, hypertension, urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, and dermatological conditions.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Consult with, or refer patients to, appropriate specialists when conditions exceed the scope of practice or expertise.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on management & supervision activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Nurse Practitioners
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Nurse Practitioners professionals typically have a ISC Holland code and highly value relationships
IInvestigative
SSocial
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Nurse Practitioners
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.83
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.78
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.78
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.74
Adaptability/Flexibility
CriticalAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.52
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.48
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.8
Dependability
4.8
Integrity
4.8
Concern for Others
4.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Analytical Thinking
4.4
Self-Control
4.4
Initiative
4.3
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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