Nurse Practitioner Pay

Springfield vs Waltham: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Springfield, MA and Waltham, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Springfield, MA
$143,237
$68.87/hr
Waltham, MA
$138,511
$66.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpringfield, MAWaltham, MA
Median Salary$143,237$138,511
Hourly Rate$68.87$66.59
Entry Level (P10)$106,843$108,359
25th Percentile$131,888$124,188
75th Percentile$168,768$167,082
Top Earner (P90)$169,906$181,579
Total Employed53011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Springfield ($143,237) and Waltham ($138,511) nurse practitioner salaries.SpringfieldWalthamMedian Salary$143,237$138,511Entry Level (P10)$106,843$108,359Top Earner (P90)$169,906$181,579US Median $136,864

Verdict

Springfield, MA offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Waltham.

The salary gap between Springfield and Waltham is $4,726 (3.41%). Springfield's median is +4.66% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Springfield spans $63,063,Waltham spans $73,220. Waltham has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Springfield
P10 (Entry)$106,843
P25$131,888
Median$143,237
P75$168,768
P90 (Top)$169,906
Waltham
P10 (Entry)$108,359
P25$124,188
Median$138,511
P75$167,082
P90 (Top)$181,579

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($149,110 effective) pays 16.80% more than Waltham ($127,660 effective).

Springfield
Nominal: $143,237
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $149,110
Waltham
Nominal: $138,511
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $127,660

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,237/year)
  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $149,110)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Waltham if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($181,579)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Springfield grew 25.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -13.7% growth in Waltham over the same period.

Springfield, MA

+25.1%

$110,640 (2019) → $138,460 (2025)

Waltham, MA

+-13.7%

$155,203 (2024) → $133,892 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Springfield or Waltham?

Springfield has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $143,237/year, compared to Waltham at $138,511/year — a difference of $4,726 (3.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Springfield and Waltham?

Springfield nurse practitioners earn $68.87/hr while Waltham hygienists earn $66.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Springfield to Waltham as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Springfield and Waltham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Springfield = $149,110, Waltham = $127,660), job availability (530 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Springfield vs Waltham?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $106,843 in Springfield and $108,359 in Waltham. The Waltham 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