Advanced practice roles are typically known to be well-paying, often ranking high on lists of “Best Paying Jobs” both within and outside of healthcare.

This should not be surprising, considering nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified registered nurse anesthetists are highly-skilled, in-demand healthcare workers. However, where they are paid the highest and the lowest salaries may surprise you.

Below are the 10 states where NPs, PAs, and CRNAs make the most and the least, on average, according to 2020 salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nurse Practitioners – Highest Paying States

1. California – $145,970
2. New Jersey – $130,890
3. Washington – $126,480
4. New York – $126,440
5. Massachusetts – $126,050
6. Nevada – $119,890
7. Minnesota – $118,900
8. Wyoming – $118,810
9. Hawaii – $118,780
10. Oregon – $118,600

Nurse Practitioners – Lowest Paying States

1. Tennessee – $99,370
2. Alabama – $99,790
3. Florida – $101,060
4. South Carolina – $101,190
5. Kentucky – $102,460
6. South Dakota – $103,080
7. Kansas – $104,530
8. West Virginia – $105,220
9. Ohio – $105,630
10. Arkansas – $106,210

Physician Assistants – Highest Paying States

1. Alaska – $150,430
2. Connecticut – $146,110
3. Rhode Island – $135,800
4. California – $135,180
5. Nevada – $134,710
6. New Jersey – $131,210
7. Washington – $129,910
8. Vermont – $128,050
9. New York – $126,370
10. New Hampshire – $124,080

Physician Assistants – Lowest Paying States

1. Kentucky – $79,390
2. Mississippi – $85,380
3. Alabama – $88,500
4. Louisiana – $93,770
5. Missouri – $94,020
6. Tennessee – $101,640
7. Arkansas – $101,740
8. Indiana – $102,030
9. South Carolina – $103,150
10. Georgia – $104,230

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists – Highest Paying States

1. Oregon – $236,540
2. Wisconsin – $231,520
3. Wyoming – $231,250
4. Nevada – $223,680
5. Connecticut – $217,360
6. New York – $217,050
7. Montana – $216,420
8. Minnesota – $216,050
9. New Jersey – $207,500
10. California – $205,360

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists – Lowest Paying States

1. Utah – $127,130
2. Idaho – $156,250
3. Louisiana – $161,310
4. Kentucky – $163,700
5. New Mexico – $164,980
6. Arkansas – $167,030
7. Kansas – $167,700
8. Indiana – $169,620
9. Alabama – $170,560
10. Tennessee – $171,020

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.