What's Here? - Table of Contents
The average nurse practitioner in the United States is approximately $128,490 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023) per year. In Nebraska, the number is considerably lower, coming in at an average of $121,680 per year.
Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
---|---|---|
Grand Island, NE | 50 | $118,830 |
Lincoln, NE | 260 | $121,070 |
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 920 | $120,800 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
---|---|---|
Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | 80 | $126,430 |
Northeast Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | 150 | $123,360 |
South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | 280 | $125,860 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
As a nurse practitioner, you enjoy the best of both worlds. First, you earn a nice living, allowing you to live comfortably. Second, you are able to help others by providing stellar healthcare.
Even though you are likely making six figures right now, you can’t help but think about how nice it would be to increase your wages. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to make more money as a Nebraska nurse practitioner. Let’s go over some ways you can maximize your earnings.
The national annual mean wage for nurse practitioners is $128,490 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023). That is considerably higher than the annual mean wage in Nebraska, which sits at $121,680.
If you would like to increase your salary quickly, moving to another state can be beneficial. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, California, New Jersey, Washington, New York, and Massachusetts pay the highest salaries for nurse practitioners. California sits at the top of the list, with an annual mean wage of $161,540. Then Massachusetts is the lowest paying of the five, with an annual mean wage of $144,010 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023).
There are fees associated with transferring your license and relocating to another state. However, the higher pay can quickly offset these costs, allowing you to improve your standard of living.
If you have additional time to spare, you can supplement your income with medical writing. There are numerous opportunities at your disposal, including writing for health-related publications and facilities.
Once you decide to do this, you can seek jobs through your employer or online. For instance, Upwork and LinkedIn are both fantastic options to search for medical writing jobs. You can look for a long-term contract or submit a single article for payment.
Nebraska is predicted to experience significant APRN shortages by 2025, with the Omaha area and Central Nebraska expected to be hit the hardest. You can negotiate for a higher salary by helping meet the demand in these areas.
You can also increase your earning potential by obtaining a post-graduate certificate to specialize in another area. For instance, you can expand your horizons by acquiring a certificate to become a gerontology acute care or psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. Since most nurse practitioners are certified to practice as family or adult providers, the state has a real need for other certifications.
Whether you decide to obtain a post-graduate certificate, move out of state, or follow another tip, negotiating will be part of increasing your salary. Thus, review nurse practitioner statistics by state to familiarize yourself with the average wages. Then you can use that information to help you get a larger salary in Nebraska or another state.