Florida began allowing nurse practitioners to practice independently in July 2020, without a physician’s supervision. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey indicated that residents of the Sunshine State have the fifth-worst access to primary care in the nation.
Family nurses, adult-gerontology nurse practitioners, women’s health nurse practitioners, and psychiatric mental health nurses are among the most in-demand in Florida because they can replace the services provided by high-priced physicians.
With rising demand comes rising salaries. Are nurse practitioners paid well in Florida? In this article, we discuss in detail what a nurse practitioner will earn in Florida in 2022.
A Nurse Practitioner’s starting salary in Florida
Nursing practitioners in Florida earn $56,800 per year, which works out to $27.31 per hour or $4,730 per month. The starting salaries in urban areas will typically be higher than in rural areas.
Gaining experience increases your pay almost everywhere. If you work with specialist populations within your broader population specialty emphasis, you will develop additional skill sets as you gain Nurse Practitioners experience. As your expertise improves, you will become more marketable.
Nurse Practitioners may not practice family medicine, general pediatrics, or general internal medicine in Florida until they have amassed 3,000 hours of experience under physician supervision. This is according to the state’s new NP practice authority statute.
As a result, when you’re first starting out as a nurse practitioner in Florida, you’re banking experience that will allow you to open your own practice and earn a higher nurse practitioner salary in a few years.
You’re in a similar situation to a medical intern or resident, whose pay is far lower than that of a board-certified physician.
| Hourly | $27.31 |
| Monthly | $4,730 |
| Annual | $56,800 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
How much does a nurse practitioner in Florida make on average?
In Florida, nurse practitioners earn on average $101,060 annually, or about $50 per hour and $8,500 per month. This is more than twice the average annual wage for all professions in Florida.
The average nurse practitioner pay in Florida is influenced by several factors:
– Experience
As previously said, the more experience you have as a nurse practitioner, the more money you may anticipate to make.
– Practice setting
The benefits package and pay of Florida nurse practitioners who work in metropolitan medical institutions tend to be the best. Intubation and central line insertion are operations that nursing practitioners can perform alongside physicians.
In rural areas of the state, NPs earn the lowest salaries. This is problematic because these medically disadvantaged groups are most likely in need of NP care services.
– Specialty
The rules of supply and demand apply to healthcare economics even when a company is certified as a nonprofit, as many healthcare providers are. There will be a greater reimbursement if there are fewer specialists who can provide the desired service.
Florida has 18,000 nurse practitioners, most of whom are family nurse practitioners; there are much fewer adult-gerontology NPs, pediatric NPs, and psychiatric-mental health NPs, so these specialties pay higher salaries. You may also want to check Nurse Practitioners Salary in Nevada? Click Here
| Hourly | $48.59 |
| Monthly | $8,420 |
| Annual | $101,060 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Salary of Nurse Practitioners by Experience in Florida
After four years of experience, nurse practitioners in Florida can expect to earn $85,850, compared to $56,800 when they first started out. This represents a substantial increase in pay. In most American workplaces, the average pay boost in 2019 was 3.1 percent.
With five to nine years of Nurse Practitioner experience, you may earn over $100,000 per year, close to $120,000 with ten to nine years of experience, and over $134,000 with twenty or more years of experience.
Why are nurse practitioners so well compensated in Florida? It’s because, even at this salary level, they serve as low-cost alternatives for high-cost physicians, as previously stated.
The demand for primary care providers in Florida far outnumbers the supply. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nurse practitioners can handle 80 percent to 90 percent of the care delivered by primary care physicians with no actual difference in treatment outcomes.
Nurse Practitioners often perform the same services that interns and residents do in teaching hospitals in acute care settings, like hospitals and outpatient surgery clinics.
| Years of Experience | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting (Entry-Level) | $27.31 | $4,730 | $56,800 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $41.27 | $7,150 | $85,850 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $48.52 | $8,410 | $100,930 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $57.13 | $9,900 | $118,820 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $64.53 | $11,190 | $134,230 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Nurse Practitioner Compensation and Benefits in Florida
Of course, wages aren’t the only form of compensation at work. Florida employers also offer benefits to keep excellent nursing staff. Since they do not tax benefits, this allows employees to receive valuable services they would otherwise have to pay for out of pocket.
The state of Florida requires certain benefits which can include:
- COBRA health insurance
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plans
Florida employees at healthcare-related companies receive benefits such as paid time off, health insurance, and matching contributions to retirement plans, with an average cash value of $42,733 per year. You can expect to receive $61,557 in benefits if you work for the federal government, the state of Florida, or a municipal government in Florida.
Government jobs pay less than those in the private sector, but they offer better benefits.
| Component | Private Industry | State and Local Government |
|---|---|---|
| Paid Leave | $10,647 | $12,279 |
| Supplemental Pay | $5,036 | $1,616 |
| Insurance | $11,223 | $18,903 |
| Retirement and Savings | $4,892 | $20,034 |
| Legally Required | $10,935 | $8,886 |
| Total Benefits | $42,733 | $61,557 |
| Average Annual Salary | $101,150 | $100,010 |
| Total Compensation | $143,883 | $161,567 |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Salary of Nurse Practitioners in Florida, broken down by practice setting
Nursing practitioners in Florida provide high-quality care at an affordable cost, whether in primary care, acute care, or long-term care settings. Nurse practitioners in Florida hospitals earn an average of $104,330 in salary per year, while those in outpatient care centers earn an average of $109,300 annually.
Given the high operating costs of these clinical settings, nurse practitioners are expected to generate the largest cost savings. A nurse practitioner who works in a doctor’s office may function as an extension of the doctor, performing routine tasks and allowing the doctor to focus on more complex procedures.
On average, physician office-based NPs earn $98,240 per year, which is 5% less than hospital-based NPs. University and professional schools employ some NPs who provide clinical care to students, but they also teach and conduct research.
The average salary for Nurse Practitioners working in academic settings is $198,880 per year.
| Type of Practice Setting | Hourly | Annual |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $52.54 | $109,300 |
| Hospitals | $50.15 | $104,330 |
| Offices of Physicians | $47.53 | $98,880 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | $47.22 | $98,240 |
| Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools | $45.84 | $95,370 |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Salary of Nurse Practitioners in Florida, Broken Down by Specialty
– Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Adult-gerontology NPs fall into two categories. AGNPs who specialize in primary care work in the same settings as family nurse practitioners; AGNPs who specialize in acute care work in hospitals and earn more. The average annual salary for a Florida AGNP is $95,490.
| Hourly | $45.91 |
| Annual | $95,490 |
– Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner
An aesthetic nurse practitioner (AGNP) is a professional who specializes in performing cosmetic medical procedures such as Botox injections and laser skin treatments. Over 1,000 clinical hours are spent with a board-certified plastic surgeon, ophthalmologist, dermatologist, or facial plastic surgeon in the AGNP program.
Nurse practitioners in Florida earn an average salary of $90,470 per year.
| Hourly | $43.50 |
| Annual | $90,470 |
– Dermatology Nurse Practitioner
Florida’s dermatology nurse practitioners typically earn their degrees as family or adult-gerontology nurses before earning their certification from the Dermatology Nurses Association by completing over 3,000 hours of clinical work at a dermatologist’s office or clinic. Dermatology NPs earn around $100,410 per year.
| Hourly | $48.27 |
| Annual | $100,410 |
– Emergency Nurse Practitioner
The majority of emergency nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who are either adult-gerontology or family nurses who have passed the Emergency Nurse Practitioner Specialty Certification Exam of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board. The average ENP salary in Florida is $102,640.
| Hourly | $49.35 |
| Annual | $102,640 |
– Family Nurse Practitioner
The Florida NP compensation scale places family practice NPs at the bottom due to the fact that it is the most common NP specialty. As a result, prospective employers are less likely to provide significant wage increases as an incentive even if they are aware they have a larger pool of candidates to choose from.
NPs with more years of experience can expect a greater salary package. If an FNP has completed one of Florida’s best nurse practitioner programs concentrating in family practice, he or she may be able to earn more.
In Florida, the median annual compensation for a family nurse practitioner is little under $100,000.
| Hourly | $48.01 |
| Annual | $99,870 |
– Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
NNPs (neonatal nurse practitioners) care for and treat critically unwell babies. The neonatal nurse practitioner is Florida’s highest-paid nurse practitioner. In Florida, the average compensation for a neonatal nurse practitioner is $107,210 per year.
Considering neonatology is one of the least sought-after disciplines in the NP sector, there are few NP specialists; this increases demand for current NNPs and raises their compensation. There may be a nursing education problem causing the shortage of NNPs.
In Florida’s NNP programs, there is a shortage of qualified instructors due to the fact that NNPs earn significantly more money in a clinical setting. Furthermore, neonatal critical care rotations for students in NNP programs are becoming increasingly scarce as concerns about nursing students’ liability increase.
| Hourly | $51.54 |
| Annual | $107,210 |
– Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
In the United States, pediatric nurse practitioners make up little more than 4% of all nurse practitioners. Pediatric nurse practitioners in Florida earn an average annual salary of $95,140. How is it that family nurse practitioners earn less money than PNPs? This is likely because FNPs have the same scope of practice as primary care PNPs, which means they can fill in for PNPs.
As FNPs cannot perform sophisticated medical procedures, they cannot replace acute care PNPs; additionally, there is a substantial wage disparity between primary care and acute care PNPs: acute care PNPs earn more.
| Hourly | $45.74 |
| Annual | $95,140 |
– Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Psychiatric nurse practitioners in Florida typically earn more than $105,000 per year. They receive relatively high compensation because the services they provide are so in demand.
The Florida mental health workforce is severely understaffed. Currently, the Sunshine State fails to meet the mental health needs of less than 20% of its population, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners can provide many of the same services psychiatrists do, especially in states like Florida, where NPs who meet certain eligibility requirements can now practice independently.
| Hourly | $50.57 |
| Annual | $105,180 |
– Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Women’s health NPs provide a type of care that can also be provided by Family NPs, which is one of the reasons why this specialty is not compensated as highly as some other NP specialties. WHNPs in Florida are also more likely to be found working in private or public service clinics in medically underserved neighborhoods, which don’t pay as well as many other NP employment settings. The average women’s health nurse practitioner salary in Florida is $96,730 a year.
| Hourly | $46.50 |
| Annual | $96,730 |
Nurse Practitioner Salary in Florida by City
– Miami
In Miami, 17 percent of the population is over 65, and this is the demographic that uses the most medical care. Miami is home to the biggest hospital system in the Sunshine State. A network of urgent care, primary care, and specialized care clinics, two long-term care nursing facilities, and six medical centers make up the Jackson Health System.
In the greater Miami metropolitan area, Jackson Health System is the fifth-largest employer. The nursing community in Miami has stepped up to fight Covid-19. A nurse practitioner makes an average of $97,030 per year in Miami.
| Hourly | $46.65 |
| Annual | $97,030 |
– Tampa
Over 60% of Tampa’s adult population is overweight, putting them at risk for serious health problems like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. In the greater Tampa metropolitan area, rates of suicide and infant mortality are also much higher than the national average.
Florida Health Sciences Center Inc. operates Tampa General Hospital, which serves a dozen counties in western Florida. A nurse practitioner earns $98,750 a year on average in Tampa, Florida.
| Hourly | $47.48 |
| Annual | $98,750 |
– Orlando
Orlando Health operates Orlando Regional Health Center, one of the fastest-growing companies in Central Florida. In Orlando, a nurse practitioner may earn an annual salary of $110,000.
The top medical challenges that inhabitants of the greater Orlando metropolitan region deal with daily include heart disease, adult obesity, high blood pressure, food insecurity, and access to mental health treatments and other health-related services.
Nurse practitioners play a crucial role in places such as Seminole County, where there are only 91 physicians per 100,000 residents.
| Hourly | $53.06 |
| Annual | $110,370 |
– Jacksonville
Nursing practitioner salaries in Jacksonville, FL average around $103,000 per year. An assessment of the community’s health needs identified obesity, poverty, and inactivity as the top health-related concerns.
Locals in the greater Jacksonville metropolitan region have little influence on preventative healthcare messages, making the task of NPs in the region particularly challenging.
| Hourly | $49.43 |
| Annual | $102,820 |
– Port St. Lucie
While the population on the Treasure Coast is significantly more affluent, some of the same issues plague Port St. Lucie. Health experts say obesity and substance abuse are severe threats to community health, and the Covid-19 dilemma has exacerbated this problem in the Sunshine State.
The aging population and rural locations are causing a shortage of primary care practitioners. In Port St. Lucie, FL, the average yearly NP salary is $108,690.
| Hourly | $52.25 |
| Annual | $108,690 |
Other Nursing Careers vs. Nurse Practitioner Pay
Nurse practitioners in Florida make around a third more than registered nurses who do not have a master’s degree. This salary disparity is not as large as in many other states, which may be a barrier to NPs who need to command high incomes to pay off student loans.
Florida’s new regulations that give NPs more autonomy may help the Sunshine State attract more NPs
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $176,760 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | $116,650 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $101,060 |
| Registered Nurse | $69,510 |
| Nurse Midwife | $67,530 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $46,710 |
| Nursing Assistant | $28,660 |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Nurse Practitioner VS. Other Healthcare Careers
Nurse practitioners, or those who provide healthcare services that support the work of physicians, are the highest paid of Florida’s so-called “ancillary” care professionals, earning an average of slightly more than $101,000 per year.
Now that they will be allowed to practice independently, nurse practitioners can no longer be classified as supplementary care providers in Florida.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary |
| Dentist | $180,920 |
| Podiatrist | $132,710 |
| Pharmacist | $121,310 |
| Veterinarian | $112,680 |
| Physician Assistant | $108,820 |
| Optometrist | $106,450 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $101,060 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,670 |
| Physical Therapist | $85,410 |
| Chiropractor | $84,750 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,000 |
| Audiologist | $73,760 |
Why is Nurse Practitioner Salary in Florida Expected to Grow?
The demand for primary care services will grow in Florida over the next decade, creating a high demand for nurse practitioners. Services will be more affordable as demand increases.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the average wage in the United States is $51,960. The average compensation for a nurse practitioner in Florida is about twice as high as the average in the nation, even though it is not one of the highest paying states for NP services. It only gets better from there.
Brief Conclusion
What is the average salary of a nurse practitioner in Florida? The NP’s experience level and specialization are determined by his or her place of employment. A nurse practitioner’s average salary in Florida in 2022 is only one factor you should consider when choosing a nurse practitioner specialized program.
To increase your pay once you begin working professionally, you should pursue credentials in your field that will make you more competitive.
Nursing professionals such as family nurses, adult-gerontology nurse practitioners, women’s health nurse practitioners, and psychiatric mental health nurses are in great demand in Florida because they can fill in for high-priced physicians.
Nurse Practitioners are also in great demand due to the increase in the older population and the large number of tourists who visit Florida. You will be able to receive a high wage after four years of continuous education, which includes obtaining certificates in the field that you wish to concentrate in.
Also Read –
- Nurse Practitioner Salary Explained in Texas
- Nurse Practitioners Salary in North Carolina
- Nurse Practitioner Salary in Tennessee
- Nurse Practitioner Salary in Minnesota
- Nurse Practitioners Salary in Michigan – Complete Guide
Our Expert Responds to Top Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions that professionals in your field of interest have responded to.
How many Nurse Practitioners are currently employed in Florida?
There are now 13,010 NPs employed in Florida, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| 13,010 |
– How much does a nurse practitioner make per hour in Florida?
On average, nurse practitioners in Florida earn $48.59 per hour. In Florida, nurse practitioners are paid hourly based on their years of experience. The starting salary for a new nurse practitioner is $27.31 per hour.
However, by the time you’ve worked for two decades, your hourly wage will have increased by over two-thirds, to $64.53 per hour. In Florida, the average compensation for a nurse practitioner is $48.59 per hour.
| Years of Experience | Hourly |
| Starting (Entry-Level) | $27.31 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $41.27 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $48.52 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $57.13 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $64.53 |
| Average Hourly Salary | $48.59 |
– What is the difference between the average compensation of a nurse practitioner in Florida and the average salary of a nurse practitioner in the United States?
A nurse practitioner’s pay in the Sunshine State of Florida is approximately 13% less than the national average.
– In Florida, how much do family nurse practitioners earn?
Florida Family Nurse Practitioners normally earn $99,870 per year, $8,320 per month, or $48.01 per hour.
| Hourly | $48.01 |
| Monthly | $8,320 |
| Annual | $99,870 |
– In Florida, how much do psychiatric nurse practitioners earn?
Generally, PMHNPs earn $105,180 per year on average in Florida. This amounts to $8,770 per month, or $50.57 per hour.
| Hourly | $50.57 |
| Monthly | $8,770 |
| Annual | $105,180 |
What are the 5 highest-paid Nurse Practitioners in Florida?
The highest paying Neonatal Nurse Practitioners in Florida earn $107,210. They are followed by Pediatric NPs ($105,180), Emergency Nurse Practitioners ($102,640), Dermatology Nurse Practitioners ($100,410), and Family Nurse Practitioners ($99,870).
| Rank | Type of NP | Annual |
| 1 | Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $107,210 |
| 2 | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) | $105,180 |
| 3 | Emergency Nurse Practitioner | $102,640 |
| 4 | Dermatology Nurse Practitioner | $100,410 |
| 5 | Family Nurse Practitioner | $99,870 |
What are the top five cities in Florida that pay the most for Nurse Practitioners?
A medical school and the University of Florida Health System make Gainesville the metropolitan area in Florida with the highest income for nurse practitioners.
| Rank | City | Average Annual Salary |
| 1 | Gainesville | $115,810 |
| 2 | North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton | $111,440 |
| 3 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $110,370 |
| 4 | Port St. Lucie | $108,690 |
| 5 | Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | $108,280 |
What do Nurse Practitioners make in Florida’s different metro areas?
Nurse practitioners in Gainesville, Florida, make the highest wages, with an average of $115,810 per year. Nurse practitioners in the economically poor Punta Gorda area earn $72,120 per year, the lowest NP salary rate in the Sunshine State.
| Metro | Employment | Per Hour | Per Year |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | 440 | $44.04 | $91,610 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | 90 | $49.47 | $102,910 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | 310 | $52.06 | $108,280 |
| Gainesville | 170 | $55.68 | $115,810 |
| Homosassa Springs | 70 | $48.50 | $100,880 |
| Jacksonville | 1,850 | $49.43 | $102,820 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | 220 | $51.10 | $106,280 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 3,620 | $46.65 | $97,030 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island | 170 | $46.41 | $96,540 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton | 400 | $53.58 | $111,440 |
| Ocala | 240 | $49.86 | $103,700 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 1,090 | $53.06 | $110,370 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | 310 | $43.76 | $91,020 |
| Panama City | 100 | $48.50 | $100,880 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | 260 | $48.64 | $101,160 |
| Port St. Lucie | 330 | $52.25 | $108,690 |
| Punta Gorda | 150 | $34.67 | $72,120 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach | 90 | $47.48 | $98,750 |
| Sebring | 30 | N/A | N/A |
| Tallahassee | 260 | $51.32 | $106,740 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 2,080 | $47.47 | $98,750 |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
In Florida, where do the majority of Nurse Practitioners work?
Florida has traditionally been a state where most nurse practitioners have been associated with physician practices. Recent changes to the practice authority guidelines will likely change that. You can expect to see an increase in the number of NPs setting up their own practices.
| Type of Practice Setting | Number of Nurse Practitioners |
| Offices of Physicians | 6,230 |
| Hospitals | 3,070 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 1,170 |
| Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools | 430 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 380 |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
What is the expected yearly number of nurse practitioner job opportunities in Florida in 2022?
Florida needs to hire around 1,110 nurse practitioners each year to keep up with its existing healthcare demands. That means that healthcare organizations in Florida will need to hire 5,550 nurse practitioners in the next five years.
| New Jobs | Replacement Jobs | Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement) |
| 410 | 700 | 1,110 |
(Source: careeronestop.org)
What is the job outlook in Florida for Nurse Practitioners?
In Florida, the career outlook for NPs is quite promising. Within the next decade, employment prospects are expected to grow by more than a third. To learn more about nurse practitioner salaries in California, click here.
You May Also Like to Check:
- Nurse Practitioner Salary in New York – Complete Guide
- Registered Nurses Salary Guide in Georgia
- Nurse Practitioner Salary in Virginia: City by City Revealed
- What is the Starting Salary of a Nurse Practitioner in New Jersey?
- Nurse Practitioner Salary in Massachusetts: Explained City by City
Resources
Written by Sara Rembert
Sara has a background in health care and case management, working for several years as a home help aid. Having always loved writing, but unsure of how to put her expertise to use, she brought together these two passions by becoming a freelance writer, specializing in medical and nursing writing.
