Nurse practitioners (NPs) work at the highest level of nursing possible, and pediatric nurse practitioners play a vital role in the healthcare system.
Pediatric nurse practitioners may work in hospitals, operating centers, long-term care centers, behavioral facilities, or private offices, and they work to diagnose and treat patients under a doctor’s supervision.
As a result, pediatric nurse practitioners typically make more than most pediatric nurses when other factors like location or job role are equal. Not all nurse practitioners can prescribe meds, so be sure to check your state's guidelines.
So how much do pediatric nurse practitioners make, and what factors can influence the pediatric nurse practitioner’s salary? Let’s take a look.
How Much Is the Average Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Salary?
The average salary for pediatric nurse practitioners is $113,387, though this number varies significantly based on several factors. It’s also likely that demand for pediatric nurse practitioners may increase dramatically in the next ten years due to an estimated shortage, which could boost earnings.
For reference, nurse practitioners generally make an average annual salary of $118,04, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What Factors Influence How Much You Make as a Pediatric NP?
Multiple factors directly impact what your potential pediatric nurse practitioner salary may be. The most significant factors include the following:
- Education level
- Certifications earned
- Your specific job role and the type of work that you do
- Where you live and work
- Whether you work part-time, full-time, or as a PRN nurse
- The type of facility or office you work in
- Experience level and number of years worked
How to Make More as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner?
Interested in increasing your earning potential as a pediatric nurse practitioner? There are a few things you can do to give your salary a boost and maximize your earning potential.
Get Pediatric Nurse Certification
When you graduate from your Master’s or Doctorate program with a nurse practitioner's degree, you’ll typically have received a general education. Some programs have a pediatric-centric approach and allow you to receive pediatric certification after graduation.
You can also look into a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (PPCNP-BC), which is a board certification exam for nurse practitioners through the ANCC.
Some employers may not require pediatric certification to hire a nurse as a pediatric specialist, but others will either require it or prefer it. Pediatric certification can make you a more valuable asset to the team and may increase your earning potential.
Pursue a Doctorate of Nursing Practice
There are multiple types of programs that will deliver the education you need to become a nurse practitioner.
One option is getting a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN), which is the lowest level of education needed to become a nurse practitioner. After graduating, you’ll take practical exams in order to obtain your new level of licensure. You’ll take an exam to become an advanced registered nurse (APRN), and you can also pursue specialties like family nurse practitioner (FNP) or pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP).
If you want to maximize your earning potential, consider pursuing the highest level of education you can with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP). More education can directly translate into a higher salary, and it can also open the door to more and higher-paying career opportunities.
Work in Facilities Instead of Private Offices
While there are exceptions to every rule, in most cases, you’ll likely make more as a pediatric nurse practitioner working in a facility, hospital, or care center instead of in a private office.
In general, nurse practitioners who work in physicians’ offices have an annual salary of $114,870, while those in general hospitals make $122,960, and those in outpatient care centers make $129,190 annually.
The specific role you take on makes a big impact, too. Working as a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner or working in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) can lead to a higher salary than working as a general pediatric nurse practitioner.
Work in a Higher Paying Location
The location where you work will have a massive impact on your pediatric nurse practitioner salary.
Some states, for example, have a much higher cost of living than others. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the states that pay nurse practitioners the most are California ($151,830), New Jersey ($137,010), and New York ($133,940).
Keep in mind that even if you don’t want to pick up and move to another state, you may find that having a slightly longer commute to work can help you make more. For example, it’s not uncommon for larger hospitals in big cities to pay more than smaller facilities in more rural areas. So take a look at what’s around, and decide if a longer drive is worth a potential boost in salary.
Final Thoughts
Many factors influence earning potential when it comes to how much you can make as a pediatric nurse practitioner. It’s clear that the pediatric nurse practitioner’s salary is competitive compared to those of some other specialties, especially if you pursue niche roles.
And if you’re unsure if pediatric nursing is right for you, consider testing the waters with PRN work. PRN work will allow you to take on individual shifts to get an idea of what types of work you enjoy, including whether or not you love working with kids and in what kind of setting. Nursa can help you get started here.
