Nurse Practitioner Pay

Marana vs Tucson: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Marana, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Marana, AZ
$137,119
$65.92/hr
Tucson, AZ
$133,802
$64.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMarana, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$137,119$133,802
Hourly Rate$65.92$64.33
Entry Level (P10)$103,969$107,650
25th Percentile$120,596$117,343
75th Percentile$160,136$155,516
Top Earner (P90)$175,453$179,248
Total Employed7820
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Marana ($137,119) and Tucson ($133,802) nurse practitioner salaries.MaranaTucsonMedian Salary$137,119$133,802Entry Level (P10)$103,969$107,650Top Earner (P90)$175,453$179,248US Median $136,864

Verdict

Marana and Tucson are closely matched on overall nurse practitioner compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Marana and Tucson is $3,317 (2.48%). Marana's median is +0.19% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Marana spans $71,484,Tucson spans $71,598. Tucson has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Marana
P10 (Entry)$103,969
P25$120,596
Median$137,119
P75$160,136
P90 (Top)$175,453
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$107,650
P25$117,343
Median$133,802
P75$155,516
P90 (Top)$179,248

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Marana ($139,207 effective) pays 0.81% more than Tucson ($138,088 effective).

Marana
Nominal: $137,119
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $139,207
Tucson
Nominal: $133,802
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $138,088

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Marana if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,119/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $139,207)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($179,248)
  • Larger job market (820 employed)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Marana grew 2.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.5% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Marana, AZ

+2.7%

$129,117 (2024) → $132,546 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+11.5%

$115,950 (2019) → $129,340 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Marana or Tucson?

Marana has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $137,119/year, compared to Tucson at $133,802/year — a difference of $3,317 (2.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Marana and Tucson?

Marana nurse practitioners earn $65.92/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $64.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Marana to Tucson as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Marana and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Marana = $139,207, Tucson = $138,088), job availability (7 vs 820 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Marana vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $103,969 in Marana and $107,650 in Tucson. The Tucson 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