What's Here? - Table of Contents
Nurse practitioners in Massachusetts benefited from at least one positive outcome from the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, NPs gained full practice authority in the state. Initially, it was a temporary measure proposed to help cover the increased healthcare demand, but it has since become a permanent change for the better.
Massachusetts Nurse Practitioner Salaries – Visualized
Nurse Practitioners Salaries in urban areas of Massachusetts
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | 200 | $140,680 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 6,090 | $145,300 |
| Leominster-Gardner, MA | 100 | $134,870 |
| New Bedford, MA | 130 | $149,030 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 40 | $131,830 |
| Springfield, MA-CT | 720 | $135,260 |
| Worcester, MA-CT | 810 | $145,220 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
Nurse Practitioners Salaries in rural areas of Massachusetts
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | 130 | $133,020 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
Increase Your Nurse Practitioner Salary in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is the 5th most lucrative state to live in as a nurse practitioner with a mean annual wage of $144,010. If you’re looking for an increase in nurse practitioner pay, you’re in the right state. The top 10% of nurse practitioners in Massachusetts earn over $185,850 per year. How do they do it? Let’s find out.
Stay on Top of Changing Regulations
Laws and regulations in Massachusetts are changing quickly. One way to increase your nurse practitioner salary in the state is by being among the first to take advantage of new changes. You can keep up-to-date on legal changes from the Board of Registration in Nursing. The newest laws now grant NPs the authority to prescribe medications and treatments independent of a physician.
The Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners is another resource to stay informed of the major legal changes affecting NPs. This is a non-profit membership-based organization that provides resources including:
- Mentoring
- Job boards
- Committee involvement (volunteer)
- News and Bulletins to stay informed on new laws and regulations
- Networking both online and at regular meetings
- Continuing education (CE) opportunities
Getting involved with organizations of like-minded individuals is an effective way to increase your salary. By connecting with peers and mentors, you’ll see what the leaders in your field are doing while improving your opportunities to become a leader yourself.
Embrace Virtual Care
The Massachusetts Association of Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses is looking for nurse practitioners that are starting their own practices. There is a high demand for nurse practitioners and the association posted that they are looking for practices for referrals. If you’re not quite ready to make that substantial of a commitment, consider going into business virtually or joining forces with a practice that is already virtual.
Telehealth is the future of healthcare; it is more cost-effective and convenient for both the provider and the patient than traditional in-person visits. It is becoming the preferred method to see primary care providers. If you jump aboard the ship now while everyone is learning how to navigate, you will be lightyears ahead of your competition. In the future, graduate programs will include required training courses on telemedicine.
Virtual medicine is a valid pathway to increasing your nurse practitioner salary in Massachusetts. Even if you’re not ready to go all-in on virtual healthcare with your own practice, you could consider picking up additional after-hours time-slots with a larger online practice for some extra cash on nights and weekends for around $75 per hour.
Conclusion
Massachusetts recently expanded the scope of nurse practitioners to utilize their full training and skill set. Although it took a pandemic to spark the change, it appears the increased scope of practice is here to stay long-term. Massachusetts is already among the highest paying states for nurse practitioners. From opening your own practice to joining a virtual clinic, there are abundant opportunities to increase your salary in the Bay State.