Nurse Practitioner Pay

Lansing vs Traverse City: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Lansing, MI and Traverse City, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lansing, MI
$133,916
$64.39/hr
Traverse City, MI
$128,185
$61.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MITraverse City, MI
Median Salary$133,916$128,185
Hourly Rate$64.39$61.63
Entry Level (P10)$111,509$105,447
25th Percentile$119,712$111,136
75th Percentile$140,309$144,147
Top Earner (P90)$154,244$158,868
Total Employed270120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($133,916) and Traverse City ($128,185) nurse practitioner salaries.LansingTraverse CityMedian Salary$133,916$128,185Entry Level (P10)$111,509$105,447Top Earner (P90)$154,244$158,868US Median $136,864

Verdict

Lansing, MI offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Traverse City.

The salary gap between Lansing and Traverse City is $5,731 (4.47%). Lansing's median is -2.15% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lansing spans $42,735,Traverse City spans $53,421. Traverse City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Lansing
P10 (Entry)$111,509
P25$119,712
Median$133,916
P75$140,309
P90 (Top)$154,244
Traverse City
P10 (Entry)$105,447
P25$111,136
Median$128,185
P75$144,147
P90 (Top)$158,868

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($140,978 effective) pays 2.69% more than Traverse City ($137,284 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $133,916
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $140,978
Traverse City
Nominal: $128,185
CoL Index: 93.372
Adjusted: $137,284

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lansing if…

  • Higher median salary ($133,916/year)
  • Larger job market (270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $140,978)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Traverse City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($158,868)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Lansing grew 26.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.1% growth in Traverse City over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+26.9%

$102,040 (2019) → $129,450 (2025)

Traverse City, MI

+1.1%

$122,540 (2024) → $123,910 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Lansing or Traverse City?

Lansing has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $133,916/year, compared to Traverse City at $128,185/year — a difference of $5,731 (4.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Traverse City?

Lansing nurse practitioners earn $64.39/hr while Traverse City hygienists earn $61.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lansing to Traverse City as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Traverse City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $140,978, Traverse City = $137,284), job availability (270 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Lansing vs Traverse City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $111,509 in Lansing and $105,447 in Traverse City. The Lansing 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