After becoming a registered nurse, the nurse can then pursue a master’s degree or a doctorate to then become a nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners have specialized training and advanced education in clinical practice.
Nurse practitioners are qualified to provide comprehensive health assessments, diagnose diseases, and treat illnesses based on their advanced education and training. Additionally, they can order labs, perform procedures, and prescribe medications.
As a nursing student, a registered nurse contemplating becoming a nurse practitioner, or as a nurse practitioner who has already achieved this level of practice, you may wonder how much a nurse practitioner makes. Nurse practitioners’ salaries are influenced by a variety of factors. One of the most important factors is where they work.
This article examines the salaries of nurse practitioners in Michigan. We will also look at nurse practitioners’ salaries by different cities within Michigan, salaries by experience, and how nurse practitioner salaries compare to other careers.
Michigan Nurse Practitioner Starting Salary
In Michigan, the entry-level salary for a nurse practitioner is $86,780 a year. That breaks down to $7,230 a month or $41.72 an hour. Entry-level generally pertains to the first year working as a nurse practitioner.
Starting salaries for nurse practitioners in different states vary widely. The salary also varies city by city within each state. Cost of living and the size of the city plays a role. We will look in-depth at the nurse practitioner salary by city later in this article.
In Michigan, starting nurse practitioner salaries are determined largely by the cost of living. Compared to the rest of the United States, Michigan has a considerably lower cost of living. This means that the money you make as a nurse practitioner can go farther than if you live and work in a state with a higher cost of living.
Additionally, your nurse practitioner specialty and the practice setting you will be working in will affect the starting salary you receive.
| Hourly | $41.72 |
| Monthly | $7,230 |
| Yearly | $86,780 |
Michigan Nurse Practitioner Average Salary
There are a variety of factors that determine a nurse practitioner’s salary in Michigan, just as with any other job or career. Aside from location, specialty and type of practice, years of experience, shift differentials, degrees and certifications are other factors that influence nurse practitioner salary.
However, just looking at the averages, a nurse practitioner in Michigan makes around $109,150 per year. That breaks down to $9,100 per month and $52.48 per hour.
| Hourly | $52.48 |
| Monthly | $9,100 |
| Yearly | $109,150 |
Michigan Nurse Practitioner Years of Experience Salary
Experience generally gives a person the ability to make a higher salary. Over the course of their careers, nurse practitioners can expect to earn more money.
Nurse practitioner salaries are influenced strongly by the amount of experience. The on-the-job and hands-on skills that a nurse practitioner gains over time increases efficiency and clinical decision-making.
This increases the nurse practitioner’s worth, therefore increasing their salary. One of the most important factors to consider when determining nurse practitioner salaries is the level of experience.
The average entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Michigan is $86,780 per year, or $41.72 per hour. Five or six years after becoming a nurse practitioner, you’ll be earning an average of $107,170 per year. That’s a $20,390 increase in salary in just a few short years.
Taking a look at the mid-level experience range, nurse practitioners with ten years of experience make an average salary of $123,560. That breaks down to $10,300 per month and $59.40 per hour.
Nurse practitioners with more than twenty years of experience can make over $136,000 a year, which breaks down to $11,380 per month and $65.66 per hour.
| # of Years of Experience | Hourly | Monthly | Yearly |
| Less Than 1 | $41.72 | $7,230 | $86,780 |
| 1-4 | $45.50 | $7,890 | $94,630 |
| 5-9 | $51.52 | $8,930 | $107,170 |
| 10-19 | $59.40 | $10,300 | $123,560 |
| 20+ | $65.66 | $11,380 | $136,570 |
Michigan Nurse Practitioner Practice Setting Salary
One of the other factors that determine nurse practitioner salary is the practice setting. There are various reasons for this difference, including shift work versus a traditional schedule, and the risk that is involved in the different practice settings.
Jobs in hospitals, for example, will typically have more risk and fewer attractive shifts (holidays, weekends, nights, etc.). Nurse practitioners in hospitals will typically earn a higher salary since the work is higher risk and harder to fill.
In Michigan, nurse practitioners working in hospitals make an average of $112,680 per year.
However, nurse practitioners who work in a lower-risk area with more appealing hours will earn about $103,000 a year, at the lower end of the pay scale.
In weighing all of these factors, individuals should take into account their own goals and circumstances. There are some individuals who might not mind working weekends and holidays, so the higher pay might be worth it to them.
However, some people may find that working weekends and holidays isn’t ideal for their family and circumstances, so they are willing to accept a lower salary to remain off work during those times.
The good news is that there are many options to choose from that can accommodate different situations and goals.
| Practice Setting Type | Hourly | Yearly |
| Outpatient Facilities | $56.76 | $118,050 |
| Hospitals | $54.18 | $112,680 |
| Other Healthcare Provider Offices | $51.35 | $106,800 |
| Doctor’s Offices | $51.01 | $106,100 |
| Colleges and Universities | $49.52 | $103,000 |
Michigan Nurse Practitioner Speciality Salary
Adult Gerontology-Acute Care
- Adult gerontology-acute care nurse practitioners have extensive training and expertise in identifying and treating a range of severe acute illnesses, particularly among the elderly
- Work in hospitals, urgent care facilities, and skilled nursing care centers
- The average Michigan adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner makes $109,960 per year or $52.87 an hour.
| Hourly | $52.87 |
| Yearly | $109,960 |
Adult Gerontology-Primary Care
- Adult gerontology-primary care nurse practitioners share some similarities with family nurse practitioners
- Care for patients over the age of 18 years
- Work in home health, doctor’s offices, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes
- The average Michigan adult gerontology-primary care nurse practitioner makes $103,980 per year or $49.99 an hour
| Hourly | $49.99 |
| Yearly | $103,980 |
Dermatology
- Dermatology nurse practitioners are certified through examinations and qualifications by the Dermatology Nursing Certification Board
- Work in surgical settings assisting with skin cancer treatments, offices that specialize in cosmetic treatments, and dermatology offices
- The average Michigan dermatology nurse practitioner makes $108,450 per year or $52.14 an hour
| Hourly | $52.14 |
| Yearly | $108,450 |
Family
- Family nurse practitioners are skilled in the diagnosis and management of a variety of health conditions throughout the lifespan
- Work in clinics and hospitals
- The average Michigan family nurse practitioner makes $107,870 per year or $51.86 an hour
| Hourly | $51.86 |
| Yearly | $107,870 |
Neonatal
- Neonatal nurse practitioners work with high risk-infants in a neonatal intensive care unit in a hospital
- Work closely with the neonatologist
- The average Michigan neonatal nurse practitioner makes $115,790 per year or $55.67 an hour
| Hourly | $55.67 |
| Yearly | $115,790 |
Pediatric-Acute Care
- Pediatric-acute care nurse practitioners have extensive training and expertise in identifying and treating a range of severe acute illnesses in patients under the age of 18
- Work in hospitals, urgent care facilities, and skilled nursing care centers
- The average Michigan pediatric-acute care nurse practitioner makes $112,840 per year or $54.25 an hour
| Hourly | $54.25 |
| Yearly | $112,84 |
Pediatric-Primary Care
- Pediatric-primary care nurse practitioners share some similarities with family nurse practitioners
- Care for patients under the age of 18
- Work in pediatric offices, urgent care clinics, and schools
- The average Michigan pediatric-primary care nurse practitioner makes $104,480 per year or $50.23 an hour
| Hourly | $50.23 |
| Yearly | $104,480 |
Psychiatric-Mental Health
- Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners have extensive training and expertise in identifying and treating patients impacted by mental health conditions or drug and alcohol abuse
- Work in outpatient centers, inpatient hospitals, drug rehabilitation centers, residential facilities, and doctor’s offices
- The average Michigan psychiatric nurse practitioner makes $113,600 per year or $54.62 an hour
| Hourly | $54.62 |
| Yearly | $113,600 |
Women’s Health
- Women’s health nurse practitioners attend to the healthcare needs of women over the course of their lifetime
- Work OB/GYN offices, local clinics, hospitals, prenatal clinics, private practices, and women’s correctional facilities
- The average Michigan women’s health nurse practitioner makes $104,480 per year or $50.23 an hour
| Hourly | $50.23 |
| Yearly | $104,480 |
Michigan Nurse Practitioner Salary By City
We often hear the phrase “location, location, location” when talking about real estate. A nurse practitioner’s salary is also impacted by this concept. Location plays a significant role in determining the nurse practitioner salaries in Michigan.
It’s important to keep in mind the type of area you’re looking for when looking at different areas. You may be considering a metropolitan area, a small town, a suburb, or something in a more rural area.
The pay for each location also varies depending on the supply of nurse practitioners in that region.
Generally speaking, the more of a need there is for nurse practitioners in an area, the higher the pay and more competitive the benefits and compensation. Keeping these points in mind when choosing an area should serve as a guide.
Below is a breakdown of some of the major cities in Michigan and the average pay for each city.
Ann Arbor
- A university town, home to the University of Michigan, which employs over 12,000 in their medical center
- Second-highest nurse practitioner salary throughout the state of Michigan
- The average nurse practitioner in Ann Arbor makes $111,870 per year or $53.78 an hour
| Hourly | $53.78 |
| Yearly | $111,870 |
Detroit
- The largest and most populated city in Michigan
- Home to many nationally renowned medical centers, including Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak-Troy, DMC Harper University Hospital, and University of Michigan Hospitals
- County with the lowest health rankings among its residents in Michigan
- Increased rates of diabetes, mental health problems, infant mortality, and obesity compared to other cities throughout the state of Michigan
- The average nurse practitioner in Detroit makes $111,460 per year or $53.59 an hour
| Hourly | $53.59 |
| Yearly | $111,460 |
Flint
- The city has been dealing with long-term effects of lead contamination in the water system for years; the water contamination has been resolved, but lasting health problems remain for those that were exposed throughout the years
- The average nurse practitioner in Flint makes $105,380 per year or $50.66 an hour
| Hourly | $50.66 |
| Yearly | $105,380 |
Grand Rapids
- Home to nationally renowned medical centers, including Mercy Health St. Mary’s, Spectrum Health Butterworth, and Spectrum Health Blodgett
- Ranks well for longer average life expectancy and relatively affordable healthcare
- The average nurse practitioner in Grand Rapids makes $107,140 a year or $51.51 an hour
| Hourly | $51.51 |
| Yearly | $107,140 |
Lansing
- Michigan’s state capital
- High population of low-income residents with health problems, including hypertension, obesity, and high cholesterol
- Home to nationally renowned medical centers, including Ingham Regional Medical Center, McLaren Greater Lansing, and Sparrow Hospital
- The average nurse practitioner in Lansing makes $109,990 a year or $52.88 an hour
| Hourly | $52.88 |
| Yearly | $109,990 |
Michigan Nurse Practitioner Compensation and Benefits
When it comes to choosing a career path and where to work, pay is undoubtedly an important factor. It is likely that benefits will have an equally significant influence on the decision. In what ways will the benefits affect the decision? It is possible for nurse practitioners to negotiate not only their salaries but also their benefits and compensation.
Benefits are a form of non-salaried compensation. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employee benefits account for approximately 30 percent of total compensation.
Benefits in Michigan include legally required benefits such as social security, workers’ compensation, and unemployment. The benefits also include additional offers such as health insurance, vacation time, and paid holidays.
Nurse practitioners in Michigan can earn an additional $46,000 to 66,000 in benefits and compensation, on top of the average annual salary of $109,150. Here, the range varies based on whether the nurse practitioner is working for a government agency or for a private sector.
| Benefit/Compensation | Private Sector | Federal, State, and Local Government |
| Paid Time Off | $11,500 | $13,261 |
| Compensatory Pay | $5,439 | $1,745 |
| Insurance (Health, Dental, Vision, Life) | $12,122 | $20,415 |
| Retirement and Pension | $5,284 | $21,637 |
| Required By Law | $11,811 | $9,597 |
| Total Benefits | $46,155 | $66,481 |
| Average Yearly Salary | $109,250 | $108,010 |
| Total Compensation | $155,405 | $174,491 |
Michigan Nurse Practitioner Salary Compared To Other Nursing Careers
For Michigan registered nurses, a nurse practitioner education can be well worth the investment. On average, a nurse practitioner in Michigan makes almost 50 percent more money than the average registered nurse makes.
There is quite a range of salaries among nursing professions. Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are at the lower end, making $32,030 per year. Nurse anesthetists earn the highest salaries among nursing professionals.
In Michigan, nurse anesthetists make an average of almost $200,000 per year—This is almost double the annual salary of a nurse practitioner, which is $109,150.
When we consider how much time and money it takes them to complete their schooling, we can see they are paid considerably more for their time and effort.
| Occupation | Average Yearly Salary |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | $199,870 |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $109,150 |
| Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) | $103,870 |
| Nursing School Professor | $83,020 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $73,980 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | $52,220 |
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | $32,030 |
Michigan Nurse Practitioner Salary Compared To Other Healthcare Careers
Michigan’s physician assistants and nurse practitioners earn similar salaries, with a difference of only about 2% between the two professions. On the low end of the salary spectrum among healthcare professionals in Michigan, chiropractors make an average of $69,190 per year.
At the other end of the pay scale, dentists make an average of $213,250 per year. On average, nurse practitioners earn $109,150 per year, which is basically right in the middle of healthcare professionals in Michigan.
| Occupation | Average Yearly Salary |
| Dentist | $213,250 |
| Podiatrist | $160,730 |
| Optometrist | $131,320 |
| Pharmacist | $119,820 |
| Physician’s Assistant | $111,050 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $109,150 |
| Veterinarian | $105,100 |
| Physical Therapist (PT) | $87,610 |
| Audiologist | $81,210 |
| Speech Therapist | $79,310 |
| Occupational Therapist (OT) | $77,600 |
| Chiropractor | $69,190 |
Number of Nurse Practitioners in Michigan
Currently, Michigan is home to about 4,880 nurse practitioners.
Michigan Nurse Practitioner Salary Compared Nationwide
The average nurse practitioner in Michigan makes $109,150 a year. Nurse practitioners in the United States earn an average salary of $114,510. Compared to the rest of the United States, nurse practitioners in Michigan make, on average, $5,360 (about 5%) less per year.
Top Five Paid Michigan Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners who specialize in neonatal care are the highest paid in Michigan. The average salary for a neonatal nurse practitioner in Michigan is $115,970 per year. Dermatology nurse practitioners round out the top five list at the bottom, at a still very nice yearly salary of $108,450.
| Rank | Nurse Practitioner Specialty | Yearly |
| 1 | Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $115,790 |
| 2 | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | $113,600 |
| 3 | Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | $112,840 |
| 4 | Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner | $109,960 |
| 5 | Dermatology Nurse Practitioner | $108,450 |
Top Five Paid Cities For Michigan Nurse Practitioners
As we have seen, location can have a lot to do with differences in pay. A nurse practitioner can earn the most money in the following Michigan cities: Muskegon, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids.
The average annual income for nurse practitioners in Grand Rapids is the lowest out of these five, coming in at (still an impressive) $107,140. With a yearly salary of $112,710, Muskegon has the highest salary of those five cities.
| Rank | City | Average Yearly Salary |
| 1 | Muskegon | $112,710 |
| 2 | Ann Arbor | $111,870 |
| 3 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | $111,460 |
| 4 | Lansing-East Lansing | $109,990 |
| 5 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming | $107,140 |
Michigan Nurse Practitioner Salaries By Metro Area
Considering nurse practitioner salaries in Michigan for different metropolitan areas is another factor to take into account when looking at nurse practitioner salaries.
The metropolitan area includes major cities and their suburbs, as well as surrounding towns and cities. Michigan is home to a number of metropolitan areas.
Below is a table that shows how the annual salary differs by metro area as well as the number of nurse practitioners employed. For example, in Muskegon there are 70 nurse practitioners employed within that city and they make an average of $112,710 per year.
On the other hand, the Kalamazoo-Portage metro employs 270, which is four times the number in Muskegon. The average salary of nurse practitioners is $96,520 a year in that metro area.
| Metro Area | #of Employees | Hourly | Yearly |
| Muskegon | 70 | $54.19 | $112,710 |
| Ann Arbor | 620 | $53.78 | $111,870 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 1,980 | $53.59 | $111,460 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 150 | $52.88 | $109,990 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming | 570 | $51.51 | $107,140 |
| Flint | 220 | $50.66 | $105,380 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor | 70 | $49.58 | $103,130 |
| Battle Creek | 40 | $48.70 | $101,300 |
| Saginaw | 150 | $48.59 | $101,060 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 260 | $46.41 | $96,520 |
Where the Majority of Nurse Practitioners in Michigan Work
A nurse practitioner’s position, like most other jobs, can be held in many different settings. The majority of nurse practitioners in Michigan work in doctor’s offices, 2,340 of them. 1,150 nurse practitioners work in hospitals, which is the next highest setting for nurse practitioners in Michigan.
Outpatient centers employ over 400 nurse practitioners. There are fewer than 200 health professionals who work in universities, colleges, and other offices in Michigan.
| Practice Setting Type | #of Nurse Practitioners |
| Doctor’s Offices | 2,340 |
| Hospitals | 1,150 |
| Outpatient Facilities | 440 |
| Colleges and Universities | 160 |
| Other Healthcare Provider Offices | 140 |
Annual Job Openings for Nurse Practitioners in Michigan
In addition to over 70 new job openings, there are almost 300 replacement job openings. Every year, there are almost 400 new job openings for nurse practitioners in Michigan in total.
The demand for more nurse practitioners grows each year as a result of a growing number of nurse practitioners that retire each year, as well as healthcare advances and an aging population.
Michigan Nurse Practitioner Future
Nurse practitioners have a very promising job outlook in Michigan. The number of nurse practitioners is expected to increase by over 16 percent from 2018 to 2028.
The state has projected that the number of nurse practitioners, physicians, and physician assistants in Michigan will need to increase by at least 1,000 by 2025, most significantly in the rural areas of the state.
This is where nurse practitioners can make a critical contribution to fill this need. Due to this supply and demand issue, nurse practitioners in Michigan are expected to earn a competitive salary.
Conclusion
A multitude of factors need to be taken into account when choosing a place to work as a nurse practitioner. Michigan offers many opportunities for nurse practitioners to consider making the Wolverine state their home.
As well as providing a fairly competitive salary that is comparable to the rest of the country, the benefits and compensation are very enticing. Adding Michigan to your list of possibilities may be worthwhile when considering where to practice as a nurse practitioner.
Written by Joanne Potter
Joanne, BSN and RN, is a writer that specializes in health and wellness. She has fifteen years of experience as a Registered Nurse in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Her years working at the bedside and extensive neonatal knowledge enable her to write with a deep understanding of what patients and families want from their communities. Visit her LinkedIn page.
Sources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Healthgrades
Careeronestop
U.S. Department of Labor
