The nurse practitioner salary in the United States averages at $101,260, while in Canada it is estimated at C$107,706 ($80,273.54 USD). For the United Kingdom, the average stands at £29,255 ($35,797.13 USD) and at an estimated average of AU$100,000 ($76,028.95 USD). Norwegian specialist nurses earn on average NOK 542,000 ($65,599.13 USD) per year.
Nurse Practitioner Salary Influencers
The factors that shape pay for nurse practitioners consist of the job duties and qualifications as compared to general practice registered nurses. Work experience and location of practice also influence salaries.
1. Industry
The need for primary care services, especially for elderly or young populations, has fueled the growth of nurse practitioners. These professionals can diagnose and treat common or relatively minor ailments. Patients with chronic illnesses obtain follow-up care from nurse practitioners. Due to advanced education and greater autonomy, nurse practitioners normally earn higher salaries than registered or licensed practical nurses. Within particular countries, the practitioner’s experience, skill and type of employer can influence compensation.
2. Geographical Area
| Nurse Practitioner Salary | Hourly Wage | Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| US | $48.68 | $101,260 |
| Canada | C$51.78 | C$107,706 |
| UK | £14.06 | £29,255 |
| Australia | AU$48.08 | AU$100,000 |
| Switzerland | CHF28.14 | CHF58,522 |
| Norway | NOK260.70 | NOK542,400 |
Nurse Practitioner Salary in the US
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, in May 2015, the average nurse practitioner salary was $101,260. Those who work in the Personal Care Services sector received the highest pay, at $135,290. For the top 10 percent of earners, the salary was at least $135,830 on an annual basis.
Nurse Practitioner Salary in Canada
According to Glassdoor, nurse practitioners reported an average salary of C$107,706.
Nurse Practitioner Salary in the UK
PayScale reports that nurse practitioners earned between £13,311 ($16,286.67 USD) and £44,414 . ($54,340.75 USD). The average compensation stands at £29,255. For Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners, the range is £27,688 ($33,874 USD) to £49,768 ($60,892.39 USD).
Nurse Practitioner Salary in Australia
According to Health Times magazine, nurse practitioners in Australia’s public health service earn salaries generally between AU$98,659 ($75,031.94 USD) and AU$124,434 ($94,644.57 USD) per year. Location and experience typically establish the pay. For example, in Western Australia, an entry-level nurse practitioner earns AU$107,279 ($81,614.61 USD). The maximum pay there is AU$114,277 ($86,927.65 USD) per year. In Tasmania, annual earnings range from AU$101,586 ($77,272.65) for entry-level nurse practitioners to a maximum of AU$124,434 ($94,644.57 USD).
Nurse Practitioner Salary in Switzerland
According to PayScale, registered nurses made on average CHF 58,522 per year, which translates to $59,136.38 in U.S. Dollars. Those registered nurses whose duties approach that of nurse practitioners or advanced practice registered nurses can generally expect higher earnings.
Nurse Practitioner Salary in Norway
Statistics Norway says the average salary for specialist nurses in the Health Enterprises sector stands at NOK 45,200 ($5,467.25 USD) per month. This translates to an annual figure of NOK 542,400.
3. Experience
Generally, nurse practitioners obtain clinical experience in a master’s program and have already performed nursing training before entry. Nurse practitioners normally obtain master’s degrees in nursing. Masters programs last two to three years beyond the undergraduate or other pre-master’s programs.
Nurse practitioners must be licensed or certified as registered nurses. In the United States, organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center and Pediatric Nursing Certification Board certify nurse practitioners. Canadian provinces control the credentialing of Nurse Practitioners, including the administration of the Canadian Nurse Practitioner Exam. In Switzerland, candidates must have at least two years clinical nursing experience and English language proficiency to become an Advanced Practice Nurse.
Working Hours
A typical work week for nurse practitioners amounts to 40 hours. Those who work in the United Kingdom’s National Health Service normally log 37.5 hours per week.
The work setting determines the shifts. For nurse practitioners in schools and doctors’ offices, the shifts consist of normal business or office hours. Nights, weekends, holidays and other irregular times befall nurse practitioners in hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities that operate on a 24-hour basis. In some agencies or organizations, the nurse practitioner job description includes home visits and, consequently, considerable travel on a daily basis.
Bonuses & Benefit Packages
In the United States, benefits are typically determined by the employer. A survey by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners found 77 percent of Nurse Practitioners had paid vacation. However, only 53 percent were reimbursed for license fees and 36 percent were repaid for for professional organization dues. Nurse Practitioners working under HealthCanada may get benefits such as student loan forgiveness for working in rural, isolated or “First Nations” communities. The National Health Service adds to nurse practitioners’ base salaries a premium for working in high cost areas such as London.
In Australia, employees are entitled to superannuation consisting of employer contributions of 9.5 percent of earnings for retirement. Salaried nurse employees can receive up to 30 percent of their earnings tax free for living expenses Workers in Norway are entitled to insurance, sickness benefits, leave of absence, paid holidays and also occupational pension. In Switzerland, employees who earn at least CHF 21,150 ($21,379.79 USD) must participate in an occupational pension system, designed to provide benefits of 60 percent of their working salaries.
Job Outlook
An aging population in need of primary care will surely heighten demand for nurse practitioners as a general rule. Patients are more likely to seek medical care due to the increased availability of health insurance. Nurse practitioners can provide at least some services traditionally rendered by physicians. These include treating minor illnesses, follow-up on chronic illnesses and counseling patients. In many jurisdictions, lawmakers and regulatory boards afford nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses more autonomy.
For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of nurse practitioners will increase 35 percent between 2014 and 2024. Health Times reported in December 2015 that Australia had 850 nurse practitioners. Similarly, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Canada had 3,477 nurse practitioners, representing an increase of 825 from 2005.
Conclusion
On average, nurse practitioners should earn higher salaries due to the advanced education, training and responsibilities compared to general registered nurses. Work experience and location can enhance salaries of nurse practitioners. To sum up, in many countries, nurse practitioners will have strong demand for their services due to increased demand for primary and basic health care services.
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