Why Nurse Practitioner is the #1 Job in the USA
Find NP Schools
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 140 NP schools in our database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
Nurse practitioners have been rated as the top job in the United States time and time again. NPs are advanced care providers that assess, diagnose, and treat patients of various ages and specialties.
According to US News & World Report, NPs rank #1 in the “100 Best Jobs of 2024.” There are many reasons why being an NP is a good career move. Now is a great time to be an NP. The job is fulfilling, offers a high salary, and is always in demand. NPs can also work in various settings and specialties and create a flexible work schedule.
Fulfillment
Working as a nurse practitioner is very fulfilling. NPs offer holistic care and education to their patients. They can utilize their skills and knowledge to care for patients. NPs serve a need in the primary care physician shortage and rural health. NPs increase access to care for patients, and patients really appreciate this.
NPs enjoy partnering with patients to develop a treatment plan and improve overall wellness. They like to focus on health promotion and prevention. As a result, they are making a difference in their patients’ lives. Helping others can lead to a rewarding career.
NPs tend to have high job satisfaction as well. This is due to work-life balance, pay, and advancement opportunities. NPs have a strong sense of purpose and are constantly learning. They also create meaningful relationships with patients and co-workers, which foster contentment and satisfaction in the workplace.
Different Settings
An NP can practice in various work settings. The diverse range of work environments available certainly attracts many NP professionals. It allows them to explore different areas of interest and find the best environment that aligns with their preferences and skills.
NPs can work outpatient in primary care clinics, specialty clinics, or urgent care. This type of setting offers a more predictable work schedule and fewer emergencies. NPs can also work in acute care in hospitals and emergency rooms. Acute care can be fast-paced and challenging but also rewarding.
NPs can work in long-term care, such as nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. This allows them to develop rapport with the same patients they see frequently. NPs can work in corrections such as prisons or refugee centers. They can also work in hospice or home health or even in the comfort of their home in telemedicine.
NPs who do not want to practice in a clinical setting have the opportunity to work through other outlets. An NP can work in education as a nursing instructor. They can work in a research facility. They can work in case management for insurance companies. Additionally, they can work as a legal consultant for law offices. There are many different opportunities for NPs to practice in diverse areas.
Different Specialties
Similar to physicians, NPs can practice in numerous specialties. Examples include dermatology, cardiology, surgery, oncology, pain management, urology, pediatrics, gynecology, psychiatry, gastroenterology, and many more.
Unlike physicians, NPs do not need to spend extra years training into a specialty while in graduate school. They can focus on a variety of patient populations and medical conditions.
NPs can obtain comprehensive certifications in family practice or adult health that give them a broad education and equip them to easily transition between specialties. A family nurse practitioner has the scope to decide to work in orthopedics upon graduation. In this instance, the orthopedic physician will hire and train the FNP in that specialty. Maybe years later, if the NP wants to change specialties and work in hospice, they will have the opportunity to do so without further education.
NPs can change their specialty throughout their career without extra schooling. This can be extremely beneficial, as there is a “low cost barrier” to switching specialties. Some NPs can choose their specialty of interest based on their certifications, such as acute care, pediatrics, or psychiatry. A pediatrics NP can focus on serving children, whereas a psychiatric NP can work with patients with mental health disorders. Acute care NPs can practice in hospitals or surgery centers and concentrate on acute patients and their needs.
High Salary
Another benefit of being an NP is that it offers a high salary.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023), NPs made an average of $126,260 annually—the latest data available as of July 2024. Salary may depend on the state of practice, employment setting, specialty, and years of experience. The salary range for nurse practitioners is anywhere from $90,000 to $200,000 or more. NP salary increased by 11 percent in the last five years, per NP Hub.
Most NPs can expect to make a six-figure salary straight from graduate school. The average salary in the US is $65,470, making an NP’s salary very competitive. States that pay NPs a high salary include California, Washington, Oregon, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York. Specialties that pay NPs the highest wages are dermatology, hospitalists, psychiatry, aesthetics, and orthopedics.
This does not include the comprehensive benefits packages that NPs receive. In addition to a high salary, NPs may receive student loan repayment, health insurance, paid time off, and employer sign-on bonuses. They may also be given the option to contribute to a retirement plan with a match, health care plan savings, and tuition reimbursement.
In Demand
NPs have a phenomenal job outlook, as this career continues to be in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of NPs will increase by 45 percent from 2022 to 2032. This is significantly faster than the average of 3 percent job growth for all occupations in general.
More than 70 percent of NPs work in primary care and are considered the answer to the primary care physician shortage. As a result, the role of NPs will continue to expand over the next several decades. As demand grows, the scope of practice for NPs in each state will also progress. Working in healthcare is typically considered a safe career choice. Being an NP allows for countless job prospects.
Flexibility
As illustrated above, being an NP can be a flexible profession. The NP has many options in choosing the specialty they want to pursue. They can decide the setting of employment or if they want to be a business owner. They can even create their own schedule such as working five eight-hour or three 12-hour shifts. Some NPs that work in acute care, working seven days on and seven days off. This allows for abundant time off to travel or pursue their hobbies.
NPs can work in locum tenens, allowing the NP to travel and cover a temporary need for a few weeks or months. The locum tenens assignments can be local or in another state, in which travel and housing are provided. Locum tenens is a good option for NPs wanting to semi-retire or those interested in exploring different specialties or healthcare settings.
A flexible career benefits people with children and family members they care for. It is also ideal for people with other commitments outside of work looking for a solid work-life balance. With the popularity of telemedicine, NPs now have the chance to practice at home and choose their own hours. The flexibility of being an NP continues to emerge.
Sophia Khawly, MSN
WriterSophia Khawly is a traveling nurse practitioner from Miami, Florida. She has been a nurse for 14 years and has worked in nine different states. She likes to travel in her spare time and has visited over 40 countries.
Being a traveling nurse practitioner allows her to combine her love of learning, travel, and serving others. Learn more about Sophia at www.travelingNP.com.