As the shortage of physicians increases well into the future, the demand for experienced Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners will remain high. Advanced practice providers can serve a vital role in their communities and provide critical care for residents that may not have access to a primary care physician. Generally as the number of residents per physician increases, so too does the overall demand for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, as reflected in higher annual salaries. With cost of living considered, Physician Assistants can expect to earn the most per year in Nevada ($128,370), Connecticut ($116,670), North Dakota ($114,810), Vermont ($114,350) and Washington ($113,900). These areas often have large rural communities with limited access to health care. Therefore, the role of a highly qualified physician’s assistant would be key in reaching all residents and providing a consistent level of care, not able to be achieved due to a decreased number of physicians.
To address the impending health care shortage, Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are being recruited at staggering rates, never seen before. For these advanced practice providers, the highest annual salaries can be reached in California ($124,330), Alaska ($121,250), Massachusetts ($117,860), Hawaii ($117,180) and New Jersey ($115,230). With large urban communities, the shortage of physicians can be amplified as more residents, in a smaller area require health care. Likewise, in rural areas that may have few established physician offices, nurse practitioners become the go-to source for high-quality and often more affordable health care options.
It is important to note that the annual salary is a factor of experience needed for the position, demand as well as the regional cost of living. The general trend holds true, that as the cost of living for the area increases, so too does both the annual salaries of Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners.
Below are the median annual salaries for Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners, as of May 2016.
Alabama – $97,500; $92,130
Alaska – $112,860; $121,250
Arizona – $89,350; $106,770
Arkansas – $73,110; $89,440
California – $110,860; $124,330
Colorado – $100,140; $107,670
Connecticut – $116,670; $113,550
Delaware – $103,550; $103,100
Florida – $103,200; $95,650
Georgia – $99,520; $100,660
Hawaii – $113,840; $117,180
Idaho – $98,140; $97,660
Illinois – $98,670; $98,300
Indiana – $100,350; $99,240
Iowa – $102,590; $97,970
Kansas – $97,420; $97,450
Kentucky – $100,380; $94,790
Louisiana – $92,570; $98,470
Maine – $104,520; $99,140
Maryland – $96,110; $108,170
Massachusetts – $106,220; $117,860
Michigan – $96,350; $97,790
Minnesota – $107,670; $106,820
Mississippi – $61,030; $99,880
Missouri – $95,150; $93,140
Montana – $97,530; $92,120
Nebraska – $98,010; $94,130
Nevada – $128,370; $103,220
New Hampshire – $112,670; $108,170
New Jersey – $110,950; $115,230
New Mexico – $103,810; $104,580
New York – $107,030; $113,450
North Carolina – $100,480; $103,090
North Dakota – $114,810; $95,260
Ohio – $104,680; $99,680
Oklahoma – $102,580; $85,920
Oregon – $110,310; $113,380
Pennsylvania – $92,860; $94,540
Rhode Island – $103,540; $109,430
South Carolina – $92,360; $94,930
South Dakota – $99,190; $97,490
Tennessee – $85,520; $93,790
Texas – $97,420; $110,060
Utah – $105,690; $102,070
Vermont – $114,350; $84,000
Virginia – $94,810; $101,060
Washington – $113,900; $107,400
West Virginia – $99,090; $92,890
Wisconsin – $96,810; $98,250
Wyoming – $110,450: $113,020
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