Nurse Practitioner Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $167,041 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $167,041/year (≈ $80.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $147,087 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for a nurse practitioner salary in Los Angeles is projected to reach $167,041, which is 22.05% higher than the national median of $136,864. The salary range reflects a diversity of roles and specialties, from $124,088 at the lower end to $223,638 for those at the top end of the scale. These figures stem from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This substantial compensation can be attributed to various employment models in the region, including those operating under W-2 salary structures versus 1099 telehealth arrangements. The latter often results in a higher hourly wage at $107.53, which may influence the decisions of nurse practitioners engaged in multiple income streams in the vibrant healthcare market of Los Angeles, CA.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $124,088 | $59.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $137,837 | $66.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $167,041 | $80.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $184,958 | $88.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $223,638 | $107.53 |
Median Salary Position
22.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,550 (2026 est.). At $167,041, the local median is 22.05% above the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Angeles Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $167,041/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,853 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | +22.05% more |
Nurse Practitioners in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $167,041 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.05% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 2.80% below the California state average of $171,853.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $167,041 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $147,087 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$131,620
2025 BLS Actual
$161,470
2026 Current Est.
$167,041
2019–2027 Growth
+31.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $136,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $132,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $155,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $165,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $164,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $161,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $167,041 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $172,804 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 22.7% from $131,620 (2019) to $161,470 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $172,804 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,184 (31.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $124,088 – $137,837 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $137,837 – $167,041 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $167,041 – $184,958 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $184,958 – $223,638 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Los Angeles
As of 2026, Los Angeles employs approximately 10,060 nurse practitioners, showcasing a robust demand for skilled professionals in the area. However, with a cost-of-living index of 113.566, practitioners must consider budgeting for higher living expenses that can impact take-home pay. Employers paying the highest salaries include major healthcare providers and specialty clinics, particularly in mental health (PMHNP) and urgent care sectors. Factors contributing to the pay disparity range from practice focus and the complexities of collaborative agreements to opportunities for productivity bonuses. For those looking to maximize nurse practitioner pay in Los Angeles CA, strategies may include seeking full-practice authority roles, networking with lucrative telehealth platforms, and specializing in high-demand areas that drive compensation upwards.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a nurse practitioner?
Can nurse practitioners make $100K in Los Angeles?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse practitioner salary in Los Angeles?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $161,470 for nurse practitionersin the Los Angeles metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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