Nurse Practitioner Pay

Atlanta vs Kennesaw: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Atlanta, GA and Kennesaw, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$137,071
$65.90/hr
Kennesaw, GA
$118,780
$57.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAKennesaw, GA
Median Salary$137,071$118,780
Hourly Rate$65.90$57.10
Entry Level (P10)$108,571$96,047
25th Percentile$124,026$105,677
75th Percentile$151,151$138,735
Top Earner (P90)$178,068$151,336
Total Employed5,9508
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($137,071) and Kennesaw ($118,780) nurse practitioner salaries.AtlantaKennesawMedian Salary$137,071$118,780Entry Level (P10)$108,571$96,047Top Earner (P90)$178,068$151,336US Median $136,864

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kennesaw.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Kennesaw is $18,291 (15.40%). Atlanta's median is +0.15% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $69,497,Kennesaw spans $55,289. Atlanta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$108,571
P25$124,026
Median$137,071
P75$151,151
P90 (Top)$178,068
Kennesaw
P10 (Entry)$96,047
P25$105,677
Median$118,780
P75$138,735
P90 (Top)$151,336

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($136,992 effective) pays 7.37% more than Kennesaw ($127,583 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $137,071
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $136,992
Kennesaw
Nominal: $118,780
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $127,583

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,071/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($178,068)
  • Larger job market (5,950 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $136,992)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Kennesaw if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Atlanta grew 25.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.7% growth in Kennesaw over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+25.1%

$105,950 (2019) → $132,500 (2025)

Kennesaw, GA

+7.7%

$106,656 (2024) → $114,819 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Atlanta or Kennesaw?

Atlanta has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $137,071/year, compared to Kennesaw at $118,780/year — a difference of $18,291 (15.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Kennesaw?

Atlanta nurse practitioners earn $65.90/hr while Kennesaw hygienists earn $57.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Kennesaw as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Kennesaw. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $136,992, Kennesaw = $127,583), job availability (5,950 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Atlanta vs Kennesaw?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $108,571 in Atlanta and $96,047 in Kennesaw. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

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.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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