Orthopedic NP Salary Guide

The average annual orthopedic NP salary is $100,040 per year in the U.S., according to NurseJournal. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook for nurse practitioners is growing by 6% over the next decade, faster than the national average, making this a viable employment opportunity.   

Locum tenens orthopedic NPs can make upwards of $114 per hour on average, however, there are many factors that impact rates including location, years of experience, and the level of demand.

If you were to extrapolate that rate over a year (at 40 hours per week), the average locum salary comes out to around $237,120.

That means locum tenens orthopedic NPs can make up to 137% more than the average provider. However, making direct salary comparisons can be complicated. While perm orthopedic NPs are more likely to be salaried, locum tenens orthopedic NPs are independent contractors earning an hourly rate, which can vary based on which assignments they take in a year. 

Furthermore, because locum tenens orthopedic NPs are paid by the hour, the hours they work are directly reflected in their pay, while a salaried orthopedic NPs additional hours may not be reflected in their salary.

Finally, paid time off and insurance may be reflected in the perm orthopedic NPs salary structure, but locum tenens providers do have options when it comes to health insurance. 

The most recent state breakdown of NPs salaries comes from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, though the BLS was not able to collect enough data for all 50 states. While the BLS was unable to report on orthopedic NPs specifically, , the top 5 highest paying states for NPs salary are:

• California (Average NP Salary between $125,780-$158,130)
• New Jersey (Average NP Salary between $125,780-$158,130)
• Massachusetts (Average NP Salary between $125,780-$158,130)
• Oregon (Average NP Salary between $125,780-$158,130)
• Nevada (Average NP Salary between $125,780-$158,130)

This information can provide insight into the possible highest paying states for orthopedic NPs.

Orthopedic NPs were not listed amongst the NP specialties featured on the 2021 Becker’s Hospital Review report. The top 5 highest paid NP specialties report an annual income over $128,480.

According to the Medscape RN/LPN Compensation Report, the average nurse increased their earnings by $2000 this past year. If this trend continues, the average family practice NP can expect to make $102,040 in 2024.