Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Costa Mesa, CA: $83.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Costa Mesa, CA runs $83.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $172,643 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Costa Mesa's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $103,581 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Costa Mesa, nurse practitioners earn a median hourly pay of $83.00, significantly higher than the national median of $65.80. This favorable rate offers a solid foundation for various work scenarios such as part-time roles and per-diem positions in versatile settings like primary care clinics, urgent care centers, and telehealth services. New nurse practitioners can expect to start at approximately $62.84 hourly, while more experienced practitioners may see compensation rise to about $113.00 per hour. These figures reflect rising demand in the healthcare sector, which has been driven by the ongoing emphasis on accessible health services and expanding healthcare needs in the community.
About the Costa Mesa Market
Salary estimated from California average ($164,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62.84 | $502.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73.07 | $584.53 |
| Median (P50) | $83.00 | $663.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100.48 | $803.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113.00 | $903.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Costa Mesa
Based on $83.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $83.00/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Costa Mesa, CA can expect to earn approximately $172,636 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $99,598. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Costa Mesa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Costa Mesa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,319.92 | $14,386 | $172,636 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,991.95 | $8,632 | $103,581 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,327.97 | $5,755 | $69,054 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Costa Mesa) | $83.00 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (National Avg) | $103.40 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.85 |
Nurse Practitioners in Costa Mesa, CA earn a median of $172,643 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.14% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 0.50% above the California state average of $171,784.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $83.00/hr = $103,581/year (purchasing power: $91,584).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $172,636/year (purchasing power: $152,640).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$66.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$80.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$83.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Costa Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $67.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $73.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $76.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $89.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $80.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Costa Mesa grew 20.5% from $66.60/hr (2019) to $80.23/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $85.86/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse practitioners can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Costa Mesa metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Nurse Practitioner in Costa Mesa
When considering annual income, part-time nurse practitioners working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, can anticipate a substantial income that varies based on their hours worked and employer type. Engaging in per diem or locum tenens contracts can be particularly lucrative; for example, locum nurse practitioners command rates between $80 and $140 per hour, with PMHNPs specializing in telehealth frequently earning between $150 and $200 per hour for asynchronous medication management. The hourly rates differ among employer types—hospital outpatient clinics and primary care practices may offer more stability and benefits, while urgent care and retail clinics could provide flexibility, albeit at potentially lower hourly rates. Those seeking to maximize their income should carefully weigh the trade-offs between hourly compensation and health benefits, as accepting lower hourly pay in exchange for health insurance might be desirable for some practitioners. Understanding the landscape of nurse practitioner hourly pay in Costa Mesa is essential for effective negotiation and career planning.
More salary data for Costa Mesa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Costa Mesa in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse practitioners make in Costa Mesa?
Are nurse practitioners in Costa Mesa paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nurse practitioner make per year in Costa Mesa?
Do nurse practitioners earn more per hour working part-time in Costa Mesa?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse practitioners in Costa Mesa. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Costa Mesa is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
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