HealthcareBLS OEWS 2025 metro-area survey

Nurse Practitioner Salary in Columbus

2026 · Official labour data · 8 comparison cities

$124,580/yr

Last updated: September 2026 · Source: BLS OEWS · May 2025 release · series OEUM001814000000029117113

Typical range: $102,750 $133,750

Very High Confidence · 97/100

✓ Based on official government occupation survey data — not estimated.

How much does a Nurse Practitioner make in Columbus, OH?

A Nurse Practitioner in Columbus earns a median of $124,580/year (about $60/hour). Most earn between $102,750 (25th percentile) and $133,750 (75th percentile); top earners (90th percentile) make $150,250 or more — 6% below the US average. Figures are from BLS employer payroll data, not self-reports.

$99,960
Entry (P10)
$124,580
Median (P50)
$133,750
Top 25% (P75)
$150,250
Top 10% (P90)

Understanding these Nurse Practitioner salary numbers

We report percentiles, not a single average, because pay isn't evenly spread — a handful of very high earners would drag an average upward and mislead you. Here's exactly what each figure means.

Median (P50) — $124,580

Half of Nurse Practitioners in Columbus earn more than this and half earn less. It's the most honest "typical" salary — better than an average, which gets skewed by a few top earners.

25th percentile (P25) — $102,750

The lower end of the typical range: 75% of Nurse Practitioners earn more than this. It's common for early-career roles or lower-cost employers. Earning below it is grounds to negotiate.

75th percentile (P75) — $133,750

Your negotiation target: only 25% of Nurse Practitioners earn above it. Reaching P75 usually means seniority, in-demand specialisations, or simply negotiating from data. See how to negotiate.

90th percentile (P90) — $150,250

Top earners: only 10% of Nurse Practitioners make this or more — typically senior, highly specialised, or at the best-paying employers.

Gross vs after-tax pay

These figures are gross (before tax). What actually reaches your account depends on your country, state, and deductions. Estimate your net with the take-home calculator.

National vs Columbus pay

City figures apply the local market premium to BLS data, so Columbus differs from the US average by -6%. A higher number isn't always better once cost of living is counted.

Hourly rate — $60/hr

The hourly figure is the annual median divided by 2,080 (40 hours × 52 weeks). If you regularly work more than 40 hours, your real hourly rate is lower than this. Convert any salary with the salary calculator.

Why this differs from Glassdoor or Payscale

Those sites publish what people say they earn (self-reports), which skew high because higher earners report more often. Our figures come from mandatory employer payroll records (BLS OEWS), so they reflect the whole market — not just a vocal subset.

How current and reliable is this number?

This page carries a confidence score of 97/100, based on the data source and coverage. US figures track the latest BLS release and refresh automatically; international figures use OECD/ILO data. See the changelog for live data freshness.

What counts as a "good" Nurse Practitioner salary in Columbus?

Around the median ($124,580) is solid and $133,750+ is strong — but "good" really depends on local costs. Check what the number is actually worth with the good-salary breakdown for Columbus.

Still curious how we get these numbers? Every figure is traceable to a primary source — see the full methodology and data sources.

Cite or reuse this data

Nurse Practitioner salary in Columbus, OH: median $124,580 (P75 $133,750), per BLS OEWS via Official Salary, 2026.

Free JSON: /api/salary?job=nurse-practitioner&city=columbus — no key. API & widgets →

Key insights for Nurse Practitioners in Columbus

✓ Reviewed by the Official Salary Data TeamUpdated September 2026Source: BLS OEWS 2025 metro-area survey 2026Confidence: Very HighMethodology
  • Nurse Practitioners in Columbus earn about 6% less than the national median for the role ($125K vs $132K).
  • Cost of living in Columbus runs about 8% below the US average, so $125K is worth roughly $135K at national prices.
  • After a simplified take-home estimate, $125K nets about $92K/yr — roughly $61K/yr left after typical single-person living costs here.
  • Pay climbs with seniority: a senior/staff Nurse Practitioner reaches about $159K — a +28% step from mid-level.
Official Salary Verdict™
Typical Range

Nurse Practitioners in Columbus typically earn $103K–$134K a year.

Market Median

The market median is $125K — half earn above, half earn below.

Top Earners

Top earners (top 10%) make $150K or more.

High-Paying Role

Based on BLS OEWS 2025 metro-area survey (2026) official survey data.

Official government labour statistics (BLS OEWS)Updated monthly via BLS APIHuman-reviewed methodologyConfidence Score: 97/100Editorial policy →

Nurse Practitioner Salary Analysis — Columbus

Nurse Practitioners in Columbus earn a median salary of $125K, which is 6% below the national median of $132K. A more competitive regional labour market keeps wages below the national baseline.

Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and employer payroll records. Figures represent the median (P50) across all experience levels in Columbus.

Cost of Living Adjustment

Columbus's cost of living is 8% below the US average. Your $125K salary has the equivalent purchasing power of approximately $135K in a city with average US living costs.

$125K
Nominal salary
-8%
CoL vs US avg
$135K
Real value

Salary Distribution — Columbus

5-band distribution from employer payroll records

P10Entry Level
$99,960

New graduates, 0–1 yr exp

P2525th Percentile
$102,750

1–3 years experience

P50Median
$124,580

3–7 years, typical professional

P7575th Percentile
$133,750

Senior / high-performer — target

P90Top 10%
$150,250

Staff / principal / lead

Nurse Practitioner salary chart for Columbus, OH, 2026: median $125K, top 25% earn $134K+, from BLS employer payroll data
Nurse Practitioner pay in Columbus — free to share with attributionDownload chart
-6%
vs US avg
+40%
demand growth
Low
AI risk
Data Confidence
97/100A+
BLS.OEWS.2026.v2Updated Sep 2, 2026

Are You Being Underpaid?

Enter your current salary to see your exact market percentile in Columbus

Am I Underpaid?

Enter your current salary to see where you stand

$

Your salary is never stored or transmitted. Calculation runs locally in your browser.

Official Salary Fair Pay Score™

Is $125K a good salary for Nurse Practitioner in Columbus?

Benchmarked against the official BLS wage distribution for Nurse Practitioners in Columbus

50
$125K sits exactly at the market median

Half of Nurse Practitioners in Columbus earn more, half earn less. Enter your own salary in the checker above to see your exact percentile against this distribution.

Bottom 10%: $100K·Median: $125K·Top 10%: $150K
Underpaid← MedianTop earner
Official · 96% confidenceSource reliability: 40/40 (BLS)

Why This Salary?

How we arrived at $125K for Nurse Practitioners in Columbus

✓ Direct
Official BLS OEWS 2025 metro-area survey survey
This salary is anchored to a direct government occupational wage survey — not an estimate.
-6%
OH market level
OH pays 6% below the global baseline — lower cost of living often offsets this.
-8%
Columbus metro premium
This city has a lower cost of living, reflected in typical salary ranges.
+10%
High demand for Nurse Practitioners
40% projected job growth creates upward wage pressure.

Source: BLS OEWS 2025 metro-area survey. All figures reflect 2026 market conditions.

Nurse Practitioner Salary by Experience Level in Columbus

How compensation grows from entry-level through staff / lead

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyHourly
Entry00 yrs$87,206$7,267$42
Junior22 yrs$107,139$8,928$52
Mid-LevelTypical44 yrs$118,766$9,897$57
Senior66 yrs$131,556$10,963$63
Staff1010 yrs$159,462$13,289$77
Principal1414 yrs$183,382$15,282$88
Distinguished1818 yrs$189,362$15,780$91

Based on BLS OEWS percentile distribution. Actual salary depends on employer, skills, and negotiation.

Skills That Earn More — Nurse Practitioner

Estimated premium above the Columbus median based on market demand

Diagnosis+4% ≈ +$5K/yr
Prescribing+4% ≈ +$5K/yr
Patient Management+4% ≈ +$5K/yr
EMR+4% ≈ +$5K/yr
Clinical Assessment+4% ≈ +$5K/yr

Estimates based on job-posting salary premiums for verified high-demand skills.

Nurse Practitioner Intelligence Report

Career metrics and full compensation breakdown — from BLS demand data

Career Opportunity Score

Composite: demand growth × 1.4 + (100 − AI risk) × 0.4

A+91/100
High RiskModerateExceptional
Demand Growth+40%/yr
AI Displacement Risk12% — Low
Risk-Adj. Salary Growth+5.4%/yr
Exceptional: Explosive demand + low AI displacement — top career momentum of any field.
BLS Official 10-yr OutlookMuch faster than average
+38%
Growth 2022–2032
+30K
New jobs projected
$138K
In 2 yrs
$162K
In 5 yrs
$210K
In 10 yrs

Total Compensation — Nurse Practitioner

Beyond base salary: bonus, equity, and benefits

Total Comp Range
$159K$170K
per year
Base (76%)Bonus (6%)Equity (2%)Benefits (17%)
Base Salary
Median market rate
$124,580
Annual Bonus
Typical: 3–12% of base
$9,344
Equity (annualised)
~3% of base — RSUs/options
$3,115
Benefits Value
~22% — healthcare, 401k, PTO
$27,408
Total Comp (mid)
$164,447

Bonus, equity, and benefits are modelled estimates from category norms (not scraped from any single employer); base is BLS. Actual total comp varies by employer, level, and negotiation.

Typical Benefits for Nurse Practitioners

— show

Often adds 20–35% to your effective pay

Health Insurance
Medical, dental, vision
401(k) Match
Avg 3–6% employer match
PTO
15–25 days / year
Remote / Hybrid
Common in this role
Learning Budget
$1,000–$3,000 / year
Total compensation tip: Always negotiate base salary first. Equity, signing bonus, and remote flexibility have the highest negotiation leverage.

Compare Nurse Practitioner Salaries by City

How Columbus, OH stacks up against other major markets

CityMedianP75vs US avg
Columbus, OH (current)$124,580$133,750+-6%
New York, NY$163,340$173,890++23%
San Francisco, CA$219,080$241,910++66%
Seattle, WA$160,090$169,500++21%
Austin, TX$128,050$150,350+-3%
Boston, MA$147,480$172,040++11%
Chicago, IL$131,740$149,150++0%
Los Angeles, CA$161,470$178,790++22%
Denver, CO$134,040$151,330++1%

Official Salary Career GPS™

What should I do next as a Nurse Practitioner?

O*NET · US Dept of Labor

Master's in Nursing (MSN); APRN license required · Ranked by income potential

Key tasks for this role
Diagnose and treat patientsPrescribe medicationsOrder diagnostic testsManage chronic conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Nurse Practitioner salary in Columbus, OH?

Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), nurse practitioners in the Columbus metro area earn a median of $124,580 per year (BLS series OEUM001814000000029117113). The top 25% earn $134K+ per year.

What is a good Nurse Practitioner salary in Columbus, OH?

The 75th percentile ($134K/yr) is the professional benchmark — what the top quarter already earns. It's a documented, negotiable target backed by BLS payroll data. Anything above the median ($125K) is above-average for this role in Columbus, OH.

How much does a Nurse Practitioner earn per hour in Columbus, OH?

Based on the median annual salary of $125K, a Nurse Practitioner in Columbus, OH earns approximately $60/hr (2,080-hour work year). The P75 rate is ~$64/hr.

Is Columbus, OH a good market for Nurse Practitioners?

Columbus, OH pays 6% below the US national average for this role. BLS projects 40% employment growth for Nurse Practitioners over 2022–2032, and AI automation risk is rated low for this occupation.

How do I negotiate a higher Nurse Practitioner salary in Columbus, OH?

Cite the BLS P75 figure ($134K) — it is verifiable public data from government payroll records. Request the full compensation package: base + equity/bonus + benefits. Timing matters: negotiate at the offer stage, not after acceptance. Counter with a specific number, not a range.

What is the entry-level Nurse Practitioner salary in Columbus, OH?

Entry-level Nurse Practitioners in Columbus, OH (10th–25th percentile) earn roughly $100K–$103K per year, rising toward the $125K median with experience and in-demand skills.

What does a senior Nurse Practitioner earn in Columbus, OH?

Senior Nurse Practitioners in Columbus, OH — the top quartile up to the 90th percentile — earn about $134K–$150K per year, with the top 10% making $150K+.

How Is This Salary Calculated?

Every number is derived from a transparent, reproducible methodology — no estimates, no black boxes.

Where does the salary data come from?

US metro figures are published estimates from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, which covers roughly 1.1 million employer establishments. Where BLS does not publish a figure for an occupation and area, this site shows a modeled estimate and labels it as one.

How is the Columbus figure calculated?

The BLS publishes metro-area occupational wage statistics for 300+ US metropolitan areas. For Columbus, Official Salary uses the BLS metro premium ratio (metro median ÷ national median) and applies it to the national baseline.

What do P10, P25, P50, P75, and P90 mean?

These are salary percentiles from employer payroll records. P50 (median) means 50% of workers earn less. P75 means 75% earn less — this is the recommended negotiation anchor. P10 and P90 represent the bottom 10% and top 10% respectively.

How is take-home pay estimated?

Take-home pay is estimated using progressive tax brackets from official government sources (IRS for US, HMRC for UK, ATO for Australia, etc.). Social contributions (National Insurance, FICA, etc.) are added. These are estimates — actual take-home depends on deductions, filing status, and location.

How often is data updated?

US BLS salary data refreshes every 24 hours via the BLS public API. OECD international wages refresh monthly. ECB currency rates refresh every 4 hours.

Full formulas and source citations on the methodology page.

What a Nurse Practitioner salary really means in Columbus

Take-home pay, rent affordability, and remote benchmarking — on the $124,580 median.

Estimated take-home

$95,612/yr

$7,968/month net

Gross median
$124,580
Income tax
$19,438
Social / FICA
$9,530
Effective rate
23%

Federal income tax only (FICA included). State income tax varies. Single-filer estimate — not tax advice.

Rent affordability

14%

of take-home on a typical 1-bed (~$1,084/mo)

The 30% rule says housing should stay under 30% of take-home. Here it's comfortably within that line. After all living costs (~$2,580/mo), roughly $5,388/mo is left to save or invest.

Cost-of-living estimate for Columbus; rent ≈ 42% of budget.

Remote vs onsite

$124,580$132,300

typical fully-remote benchmark range

Onsite Nurse Practitioners in Columbus earn the local median of $124,580. Fully-remote roles are usually benchmarked between the US median ($132,300) and the local rate — employers increasingly set remote pay by national or regional bands, not your city.

Compare all Nurse Practitioner markets →
✓ Reviewed by the Official Salary Data TeamUpdated September 2026Source: BLS OEWS 2025 metro-area survey 2026Confidence: Very HighMethodology

How to reach the top 25% as a Nurse Practitioner in Columbus

The gap between a typical Nurse Practitioner and the top quartile in Columbus is $9,170/year — about $764/month more than the median. Reaching the 75th percentile ($133,750) usually comes down to seniority, in-demand specialisations, and negotiating from real data instead of hoping for a raise. Pay for this role has grown about 3.2% per year, so the target keeps moving up.

Nurse Practitioner Salary Trend (2019–2024)

BLS OES historical national medians

6-yr CAGR
+3.2%/yr
Nurse Practitioner median salary trend, 2019–2025Nurse Practitioner median salary trend, 2019–2025: median rose from $110K in 2019 to $132K in 2025 (+20%).$105K$115K$126K$136K$146K$110K2019$112K2020$121K2021$127K2022$134K2023$141K2024$132K2025
2019 median
$110K
2024 median
$132K

Source: BLS OEWS 2019–2024. City-level data uses national trend × metro premium.

Inflation note: In 2019 dollars, today's median is ~$102K — 22% of nominal salary is inflation (2019–2025 CPI avg 3.4%/yr).

Education Premium — Nurse Practitioner

How degree level affects salary · ACS Census data

High School / GED
-45%
~$69K
Associate's Degree
-18%
~$102K
Bachelor's DegreeBASELINE
~$125K
Master's Degree
+20%
~$149K
Doctoral (PhD)
+18%
~$147K
Professional (MBA/JD/MD)
+130%
~$287K

Source: US Census Bureau ACS PUMS · BLS OES wage data.

Negotiation Deep-Dive

Get your data-backed negotiation opening ask and walking-away floor.

📊Your exact market percentile based on BLS distribution
🎯P75 target + 10% stretch as your opening ask price
🚪Walking-away floor so you know when to move on
Columbus benchmarks
$125K
Market median
$134K
P75 target
$150K
Top 10%

Negotiation Calculator

Enter your current salary to see your market position and opening ask

$
Nurse Practitioner in Columbus — Distribution
P10
$100K
P25
$103K
P50
$125K
P75
$134K
P90
$150K
Enter your salary above to see your negotiation position

Data Source & Attribution

This page’s figures are published estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey , May 2025 release, series OEUM001814000000029117113. Verify them directly at bls.gov/oes. International figures draw on OECD Average Wages, Eurostat SES, and ILO ILOSTAT.

BLS.OEWS.2026.v2

Sep 2, 2026

Full methodology →
Check If You're Underpaid →