Nurse Practitioner Salary in Sacramento, CA: $177,944 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Sacramento, CA earns a median $177,944/year (≈ $85.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $166,817 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, nurse practitioners in Sacramento, California, are projected to command a median annual salary of $177,944, a figure that significantly surpasses the national median of $136,864 by approximately 30.02%. The full salary range reflects this local market's vitality, with figures extending from $109,181 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $248,383 at the 90th percentile. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlights the influence of California’s full-practice authority for nurse practitioners, enabling them to engage in a wider scope of practice without needing physician oversight. As a result, Sacramento's healthcare demand, particularly in mental health and specialty areas, supports a robust salary framework for this profession, providing lucrative opportunities for those seeking to establish their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,181 | $52.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $154,503 | $74.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $177,944 | $85.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $229,649 | $110.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $248,383 | $119.41 |
Median Salary Position
30.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $139,202 (2026 est.). At $177,944, the local median is 30.02% above the national median of $136,864.
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At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sacramento Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $177,944/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,761 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | +30.02% more |
Nurse Practitioners in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $177,944 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.02% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 3.60% above the California state average of $171,761.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $177,944 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $166,817 — a 6.25% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,620
2025 BLS Actual
$172,010
2026 Current Est.
$177,944
2019–2027 Growth
+38.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $146,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $157,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $150,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $166,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $164,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $172,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $177,944 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $184,083 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 29.7% from $132,620 (2019) to $172,010 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $184,083 by 2027 — a total increase of $51,463 (38.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $109,181 – $154,503 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $154,503 – $177,944 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $177,944 – $229,649 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $229,649 – $248,383 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Sacramento
With 1,170 nurse practitioners currently employed in Sacramento, the local job market for this profession is relatively strong, particularly given the region’s cost of living index of 106.67, which is slightly above the national average. This higher cost could affect take-home pay, making salary negotiation an essential aspect for job seekers. In Sacramento, employers such as hospital outpatient clinics and specialty practices tend to offer the highest compensation, reflecting the demand for skilled practitioners in niche areas. The disparity in salaries can also stem from various factors, including patient population focus, productivity bonuses tied to patient encounters, and potential income from supplementary telehealth roles. To maximize their earning potential, nurse practitioners in Sacramento should consider pursuing certifications in high-demand specialties such as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP) and exploring independent practice options or telehealth platforms where they can draw additional income beyond traditional settings.
More salary data for Sacramento, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $172,010 for nurse practitionersin the Sacramento 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