What is a nurse practitioner?
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with a master’s or doctoral degree and national certification who can diagnose conditions, order tests and prescribe medication. The median NP earned $132,300 in May 2025.
What the numbers say
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 323,040 employed nurse practitioners in May 2025. It projects 41% growth from 2025 to 2035, the fastest of the four nursing roles we track, with about 29,400 openings a year.
See nurse practitioner pay in every state.
How you become one
Earn an RN license, complete an accredited master’s or Doctor of Nursing Practice program in an NP population focus, pass a national certification exam, then apply to the state for advanced practice licensure. How much an NP may do without physician oversight depends on the state.
The full route is on the nurse practitioner career page.
Pay and projections: Bureau of Labor Statistics. NCLEX figures: NCSBN. Enrollment: AACN. Sources and years are ondata sources.