There are currently an estimated 155,500 nurse practitioners in the United States. The nurse practitioner job market is expected to grow by 36.1% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are nurse practitioners?

CareerExplorer rates nurse practitioners with an A- employability rating, meaning this career should provide great employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 59,000 nurse practitioners. That number is based on 56,100 additional nurse practitioners, and the retirement of 2,900 existing nurse practitioners.

What’s the supply of nurse practitioners?

The nurse practitioner industry is concentrated in California, New York, Texas

Nurse Practitioner job market by state

State Name Employed Nurse Practitioners
California 13,570
New York 13,450
Texas 10,730
Florida 10,380
Ohio 7,460
Tennessee 6,550
Massachusetts 6,280
Pennsylvania 5,730
Georgia 5,200
New Jersey 4,840
Illinois 4,610
Virginia 4,500
Missouri 4,150
North Carolina 4,130
Indiana 4,120
Michigan 3,970
Minnesota 3,900
Maryland 3,620
Alabama 3,230
Arizona 3,120
Kentucky 3,110
Washington 3,110
Wisconsin 2,900
Colorado 2,810
Mississippi 2,480
Louisiana 2,420
Connecticut 2,220
Kansas 2,010
South Carolina 2,000
Arkansas 1,830
Iowa 1,660
Oklahoma 1,600
Oregon 1,570
Utah 1,520
Puerto Rico 1,190
New Hampshire 1,150
Maine 1,150
West Virginia 1,040
Nebraska 1,020
New Mexico 960
District of Columbia 700
Nevada 680
Delaware 650
Rhode Island 640
Idaho 590
Montana 530
South Dakota 470
Vermont 440
Alaska 440
North Dakota 420
Hawaii 410
Wyoming 230