In Ohio, nurse practitioners are limited in the scope of their practice, though it isn’t among the most restrictive states in the nation.
Nursing practitioners in Ohio are only allowed to practice under the terms of a Standard Care Arrangement (SCA), which is set up in conjunction with a supervising physician; the standard care arrangement specifies the types of services an NP is allowed to provide, as well as the frequency of chart reviews.
The demand for NP services in Ohio may not be as high because NPs may not be as effective as physicians as substitutes, which is one of the reasons why the salary of Ohio NPs is 8 percent lower than the average NP salary elsewhere in the state.
This article examines salary levels for nurse practitioners in Ohio. In addition, we will examine the salaries of nurse practitioners in Ohio’s cities, experience-related salaries, and the average nurse practitioner salary compared to other occupations.
Ohio Nurse Practitioner Salary – Starting Out
In Ohio, entry-level nurse practitioners can earn a good income, but they are paid less than entry-level nurse practitioners in other parts of the midwest with similar levels of education and experience.
Starting out, a nurse practitioner in Ohio will earn $95,280 annually, which breaks down to $7,940 a month or $45.81 an hour.
The location of a job isn’t the only factor that influences a starting salary, however. Entry-level earnings will also be affected by a nurse practitioner’s area of certification.
Nurse practitioners who specialize in neonatal or psychiatric-mental health typically start out at a higher salary than nurse practitioners who specialize in family care.
Additionally, nurse practitioners who land jobs in hospitals or clinics can usually expect to make more money than those who begin their careers in doctors’ offices.
| Hourly | $45.81 |
| Monthly | $7,940 |
| Yearly | $95,280 |
Ohio Nurse Practitioner Salary – Average
A nurse practitioner in Ohio typically earns $54.08 an hour, which equates to $9,370 a month or $112,490 a year. Compared with the average salary of $56,477 for all occupations in Ohio, this is 87 percent higher.
A nurse practitioner’s average salary is normally reached between five and nine years after they have been practicing.
Salary levels for nurse practitioners vary significantly from state to state. Nurse practitioner salaries in Ohio rank 41 out of 50 states, making it one of the states with the lowest salaries.
Ohio’s cost of living, however, is significantly lower than those in many other states where average compensation may be higher. In other words, your nurse practitioner salary will go further than in many other states with higher average salaries.
| Hourly | $54.08 |
| Monthly | $9,370 |
| Yearly | $112,490 |
Ohio Nurse Practitioner Salary – Years of Experience
As a nursing student in one of Ohio’s top nurse practitioner programs, your clinical training alone will not make you a great nurse practitioner. Having more experience will increase your nurse practitioner salary in Ohio since your skills and competencies will improve the more time you spend working.
As an additional reason for salary increases with experience, nurse practitioners who are well-versed in clinical practice are rewarded with high salaries. Ohio will have a shortage of 1,200 primary care providers in four years, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
It is estimated that experienced nurse practitioners can provide 80 to 90 percent of the care traditionally provided by physicians without significant differences in outcomes, and they can do so at a much lower cost. The nurse practitioner can therefore replace primary care physicians in a cost-effective manner.
Ohio’s entry-level nurse practitioner salary is $95,280 per year. Upon gaining one to four years of experience, your Ohio nurse practitioner salary is expected to rise to $99,540 (over 20 percent).
Upon acquiring five to nine years of experience in your field, you can expect to earn an average salary of $103,310 a year, which is over 30 percent higher than what you earned at the beginning of your career.
Once you have been working as a nurse practitioner in Ohio for 20 years or more, your annual salary will be an average of $135,180, which represents the equivalent of 85 percent higher than what it was when you started your career.
| # of Years of Experience | Hourly | Monthly | Yearly |
| Less than 1 | $45.81 | $7,940 | $95,280 |
| 1-4 | $47.86 | $8,300 | $99,540 |
| 5-9 | $49.67 | $8,610 | $103,310 |
| 10-19 | $61.87 | $10,720 | $128,690 |
| 20 and more | $64.99 | $11,270 | $135,180 |
Ohio Nurse Practitioner Compensation and Benefits
While salary numbers tell us a great deal about what Ohio NPs earn, they cannot tell us the whole story. Nurse practitioners in Ohio are compensated for their work with both salaries and indirect, non-cash benefits.
These benefits may include vacation time, medical insurance, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and contributions to 401(k) funds and other retirement plans for nurse practitioners in Ohio.
An Ohio nurse practitioner who works in the private sector is likely to receive employee benefits worth 42 percent of their salary. The average salary they earn is $112,590 a year and their benefits package is worth $47,566 a year, which means they earn $160,156 as a total compensation salary.
Benefits packages for nurse practitioners working for government agencies in Ohio are significantly higher. Nurse practitioners employed in the public sector can expect their salaries to be valued at 62 percent of their cash compensation.
Their total compensation is $179,919, which includes an average salary of $111,370 and benefits of $68,549. In Ohio, public sector nurse practitioners earn a higher (12%) real compensation than private sector nurse practitioners, although their initial salary appears lower.
| Benefit/Compensation | Private Sector | Federal, State, and Local Government |
| Paid Time Off | $11,852 | $13,674 |
| Compensatory Pay | $5,605 | $1,799 |
| Insurance (Health, Dental, Vision, Life) | $12,492 | $21,051 |
| Retirement and Pension | $5,445 | $22,310 |
| Required By Law | $12,172 | $9,896 |
| Total Benefits | $47,566 | $68,549 |
| Average Yearly Salary | $112,590 | $111,370 |
| Total Compensation | $160,156 | $179,919 |
Ohio Nurse Practitioner Practice Setting Salary
Ohio’s highest-paid nurse practitioners work in outpatient care centers. Generally, outpatient care centers deliver medical services without requiring overnight stays.
These are busy places with high patient turnover. Ohio’s outpatient care centers employ nurse practitioners earning an average of $59.19 an hour, or $123,120 per year.
Hospital nurse practitioners in Ohio earn $56.34 per hour or $117,180 per year, which is 5 percent less than nurse practitioners in outpatient care clinics.
The reason for this may be that there are many more doctors in hospitals assigned to oversee complex procedures that would normally be handled by nurse practitioners in outpatient clinics.
A nurse practitioner employed by a physician’s office in Ohio earns $52.63. An NP employed by a university or professional school in Ohio earns $50.80 an hour or $105,670 on average.
In the state of Ohio, nurse practitioners who work in doctors’ offices have a higher salary than those who work in academic settings, but it is likely that their true compensation is lower than their counterparts who work in academic settings.
It is important to remember that a nurse practitioner’s salary in Ohio comprises both earnings as well as benefits. An academic setting is generally much more advantageous than a physician’s practice in terms of benefits.
| Practice Type Setting | Hourly | Yearly |
| Outpatient Facilities | $59.19 | $123,120 |
| Hospitals | $56.34 | $117,180 |
| Doctor’s Offices | $52.63 | $109,470 |
| Colleges and Universities | $50.80 | $105,670 |
| Other Healthcare Provider Offices | $49.89 | $103,770 |
Ohio Nurse Practitioner Speciality Salary
Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
There is a growing demand for adult-gerontology nurse practitioners in Ohio. In addition to being trained to care for all adult populations, adult-gerontology nurses have specialized training that allows them to address the needs of the elderly.
It is estimated that 17 percent of Ohio’s population is over the age of 65, and this rate is growing. The average salary for adult-gerontology nurse practitioners in Ohio is $49.47 per hour, which comes to just under $103,000 per year.
| Hourly | $49.47 |
| Yearly | $102,890 |
Dermatology Nurse Practitioner
A dermatology nurse practitioner working within a dermatologist’s practice performs procedures and functions somewhat independently. Over time, they attract their own patient load, which increases the office’s overall revenue, making them an asset.
It is for this reason that dermatology NP salaries tend to be relatively high in Ohio and other states as well. An average dermatology nurse practitioner salary in Ohio is $52.02 an hour or $108,190 annually.
| Hourly | $52.02 |
| Yearly | $108,190 |
Family Nurse Practitioner
Ohio’s average salary for a family nurse practitioner is $51.74 per hour or $107,610 per year. There are so many rural, medically underserved areas in Ohio that could benefit from family nurse practitioners filling primary care coverage gaps.
There is, however, a limitation for nurse practitioners since they must work under the terms of collaborative agreements with physicians, and there is also a shortage of physicians in these areas.
| Hourly | $51.74 |
| Yearly | $107,610 |
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Among Ohio’s nurses practitioners, neonatal nurse practitioners earn the highest salaries. A neonatal nurse practitioner in Ohio makes an average hourly wage of $55.54, which translates into an annual income of $115,510.
In neonatal intensive care units, neonatal nurse practitioners diagnose, treat, and manage premature babies.
Premature births accounted for one out of every ten births in Ohio in 2019. In the state, neonatal nurse practitioners are relatively scarce, but their services are highly sought after. As a result, they earn relatively high salaries.
| Hourly | $55.54 |
| Yearly | $115,510 |
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
A pediatric nurse practitioner’s average salary in Ohio is $49.28 per hour, or $102,510 per year. One out of every five Ohio children is estimated to be living in poverty. Childhood poverty figures in the U.S. as a whole are significantly higher than this statistic.
Poverty is linked to a number of health-related problems, which pediatric nurse practitioners are qualified to address because of their specialized training.
The fact that pediatric nurse practitioners in Ohio lack full practice authority impedes their effectiveness, as it does with family nurse practitioners. Pediatric nurse practitioners earn an hourly rate of $49.28 in Ohio, or $102,510 each year.
| Hourly | $49.28 |
| Yearly | $102,510 |
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Mental health services were in high demand throughout Ohio due to Covid-19. Despite this, experts estimate that one in five Ohio residents had mental health problems before the pandemic. In order to meet Ohioans’ mental health needs, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners are essential.
Patients with psychiatric disorders and substance abuse disorders benefit from the services of psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners who prescribe medications and provide therapy. There is an average salary of $54.48 an hour for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners in Ohio, or $115,000 per year.
| Hourly | $54.48 |
| Yearly | $113,320 |
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Nursing practitioners specializing in women’s health overlap with those specialized in family medicine, adult-gerontology, and midwives.
Generally, women’s health nurse practitioners work for community agencies in large cities such as Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland, providing reproductive and gynecological care to low-income women.
In Ohio, women’s health nurse practitioners earn an average salary of $50.11 an hour or $104,230 a year.
| Hourly | $50.11 |
| Yearly | $104,230 |
Ohio Nurse Practitioner Salary By City
Akron
As well as the opioid and obesity epidemics, Akron and surrounding areas in northeastern Ohio have been affected by Covid-19. In this region, nurse practitioners have the ability to help alleviate a great deal of health-related suffering.
Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Akron Children’s Hospital and Summa Health-Akron Campus are some of the top healthcare providers in this area. The average nurse practitioner salary in Akron is $53.15 an hour or $110,540 per year.
| Hourly | $53.15 |
| Yearly | $110,540 |
Cincinnati
The biggest problem in Cincinnati’s healthcare system is access to care. Among other concerns are obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, low birth weights, and relatively high infant mortality rates.
It is estimated that nurse practitioners in Cincinnati earn just over $110,000 per year, or $53.89 an hour. St. Elizabeth Healthcare Edgewood-Covington Hospitals, Good Samaritan Hospital-Cincinnati, and Christ Hospital are among Cincinnati’s most prestigious hospitals.
| Hourly | $53.89 |
| Yearly | $112,080 |
Cleveland
While Cleveland has some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Ohio, its poverty rate is among the highest of any large U.S. city, at 30.8 percent. Despite the high correlation between poverty and poor health, healthcare providers earn less in low-income areas on average.
In Cleveland, nurse practitioners make an average salary of $118,250 per year or $56.85 per hour. There are three nationally recognized medical centers in Cleveland: Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, and Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Center.
| Hourly | $56.85 |
| Yearly | $118,250 |
Columbus
The greater Columbus metropolitan area is home to approximately 18 percent of Ohio’s population. There are nine adult specialties at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center that are nationally renowned.
OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital and Mount Carmel East and West Hospitals are also among the top hospitals in Discovery City.
Over 65 percent of the population of Franklin County is overweight or obese, which makes these people very susceptible to medical conditions like diabetes, coronary heart disease, and depression in the future.
In Columbus, nurse practitioners make an average salary of $53.90 an hour or $112,120 a year, which is around the midpoint in the country.
| Hourly | $53.90 |
| Yearly | $112,120 |
Toledo
The poverty rate in Toledo is another serious problem in Ohio. More than one-quarter of Toledo’s residents live below the federal poverty level, which is lower than the standard of living.
It’s important for nurse practitioners working in this region to take into account not only the health-related consequences of poverty, but also the exposure to environmental hazards and the unusually high rates of smoking that are prevalent in the area.
In Toledo, the average nurse practitioner salary is $53.46 an hour, which equates to $111,190 each year. A number of healthcare providers are based in Toledo, including ProMedica Toledo Hospital, Advanced Specialty Hospital of Toledo, and Arrowhead Behavioral Hospital.
| Hourly | $53.46 |
| Yearly | $111,190 |
Ohio Nurse Practitioner Salaries By Metro Area
A number of metropolitan areas in Ohio, such as Akron, Toledo, and Youngstown, earn the highest salaries for nurse practitioners. The reason for this may be that those cities are competing for nurse practitioner services with cities outside Ohio, like Detroit and Pittsburgh.
Nurse practitioners in Cleveland-Elyria make an average annual salary of $118,250. On the other hand, Youngstown pays nurse practitioners an average of $102,950 per year.
| Metro | # of NPs | Hourly | Yearly |
| Akron | 600 | $53.15 | $110,540 |
| Canton-Massillon | 360 | $51.33 | $106,770 |
| Cincinnati | 2,020 | $53.89 | $112,080 |
| Cleveland-Elyria | 2,330 | $56.85 | $118,250 |
| Columbus | 1,520 | $53.90 | $112,120 |
| Dayton | 740 | $52.92 | $110,070 |
| Lima | 140 | $52.27 | $108,710 |
| Mansfield | 110 | $51.17 | $106,440 |
| Springfield | 70 | $51.64 | $107,410 |
| Toledo | 540 | $53.46 | $111,190 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman | 390 | $49.50 | $102,950 |
Top Five Paid Cities for Ohio Nurse Practitioners
In Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio, nurse practitioners make an average salary of $118,250, which is 8 percent higher than the salary of nurse practitioners throughout the state.
Columbus ($112,120), Cincinnati ($112,080), Toledo ($111,190), Akron ($110,540) are some other cities with higher nurse practitioner salaries than average.
| Rank | City | Average Yearly Salary |
| 1 | Cleveland-Elyria | $118,250 |
| 2 | Columbus | $112,120 |
| 3 | Cincinnati | $112,080 |
| 4 | Toledo | $111,190 |
| 5 | Akron | $110,540 |
Ohio Nurse Practitioner Salary Compared To Other Nursing Careers
An Ohio nurse practitioner earns an average salary of $122,490 a year, which is over 50 percent higher than that of an Ohio registered nurse. However, Ohio nurse practitioners earn significantly less than their counterparts elsewhere in the country.
There may be a temptation for nurse practitioners to seek employment outside of Ohio in order to obtain higher salaries and full practice authority.
| Occupation | Average Yearly Salary |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | $187,410 |
| Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) | $116,780 |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $112,490 |
| Nursing School Professor/Nurse Educator | $81,810 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $71,640 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | $48,030 |
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | $31,330 |
Ohio Nurse Practitioner Salary Compared To Other Healthcare Careers
It is not surprising that nurse practitioners in Ohio earn less than healthcare professionals with more autonomy in their practices. The salaries of nurse practitioners are unlikely to rise until Ohio joins 22 other states and the District of Columbia in establishing an independent scope of practice for nursing practitioners.
| Occupation | Average Yearly Salary |
| Dentist | $180,920 |
| Podiatrist | $144,300 |
| Pharmacist | $120,580 |
| Optometrist | $118,020 |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $112,490 |
| Physician Assistant | $110,670 |
| Veterinarian | $98,010 |
| Physical Therapist (PT) | $92,680 |
| Chiropractor | $89,030 |
| Occupational Therapist (OT) | $84,930 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,710 |
| Audiologist | $68,180 |
Number of Nurse Practitioners in Ohio
There are currently 10,210 nurse practitioners working in Ohio, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Ohio Nurse Practitioner Hourly Rate
Depending on years of experience, nurse practitioners in Ohio earn a variety of salaries per hour.
It is estimated that after you have worked as a nurse practitioner for five years, you will be earning an average salary of $49,67 an hour, which is nearly forty percent higher than what you earned at the entry-level salary of $45,81 an hour.
When you’ve completed two decades as a nurse practitioner, your hourly wage will be $61.87, nearly two-thirds more than it was when you first began.
| Years of Experience | Hourly |
| Starting (Entry-Level) | $45.81 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $47.86 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $49.67 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $61.87 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $64.99 |
| Average Hourly Salary | $54.08 |
Ohio Nurse Practitioner Salary Compared Nationwide
Across the country, nurse practitioners make an average of $118,040 per year, but in Ohio, nurses earn $112,490, which is more than 4 percent less than average.
Five Highest Paid Nurse Practitioners in Ohio
Neonatal nurse practitioners earn $115,510 annually as Ohio’s highest-paid nurse practitioners. Although they make 7 percent more than family nurse practitioners in Ohio, their salaries are still 2 percent lower than the average salary for all nurse practitioners nationwide.
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners ($113,320) and emergency nurse practitioners ($110,590) and dermatology nurse practitioners ($108,190) round out the top paid nurse practitioners in Ohio ($107,610).
| Rank | Type of NP | Annual |
| 1 | Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $115,510 |
| 2 | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) | $113,320 |
| 3 | Emergency Nurse Practitioner | $110,590 |
| 4 | Dermatology Nurse Practitioner | $108,190 |
| 5 | Family Nurse Practitioner | $107,610 |
Where the Majority of Ohio Nurse Practitioners Work
The number of nurse practitioners employed in doctor’s offices in Ohio exceeds 4,800. The number of nurse practitioners employed in hospital settings is more than twice that of nurse practitioners employed outside of hospitals.
Nurse practitioners are only permitted to work in Ohio with a supervising physician through a collaborative agreement. This kind of arrangement is facilitated by working in a doctor’s office.
| Practice Type Setting | # of Nurse Practitioners |
| Doctor’s Offices | 4,810 |
| Hospitals | 2,300 |
| Outpatient Care Facilities | 980 |
| Offices of Other Healthcare Providers | 410 |
| Colleges and Universities | 260 |
Ohio Nurse Practitioner Job Openings
It is projected that during 2022, there will be 650 nurse practitioner job openings in Ohio.
| New Jobs | Replacement Jobs | Annual Job Openings (New and Replacement) |
| 190 | 460 | 650 |
Ohio Nurse Practitioner Job Outlook
Within the next seven years, nurse practitioner services are expected to increase by 25 percent in Ohio.
Between now and 2026, Ohio is expected to create 650 nurse practitioner jobs per year. Although this is significantly higher than Ohio’s projected rate of growth for all occupations, it is lower than other states’ projected growth for nurse practitioner jobs.
In Ohio, nurse practitioners are restricted in their practice authority, which is holding back the profession. The Ohio legislature is contemplating a bill that, if passed, will allow nurse practitioners to practice independently.
A bill like this, or one like it, could result in an increase in demand for nurse practitioner services as well as nurse practitioner salaries.
| Employment | 2018-2019 Employment Growth | Number | Percentage |
| 2018 | 2028 | Number | % |
| 7,720 | 9,620 | 1,900 | 24.61% |
Conclusion
A nurse practitioner’s salary in Ohio depends on a variety of factors, as discussed in this article. The salary of an NP depends on a number of factors, including the setting of the practice, the specialty area, the location of the practice and the number of years of experience the nurse practitioner has.
In spite of this, when it comes to evaluating your employment options, for now or in the future, the salary of a nurse practitioner in Ohio is only one of the many factors you should take into account when making a decision.
Your best career prospects might be found by working with the target population you are most passionate about.
In the event that you land a job that perfectly fits your skills and passions, pursuing specialty certifications within that field can always increase your salary.
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 (August 2022)
- Ohio.org
- Ohio.gov
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- U.S. Department of Labor
- Healthgrades
- Careeronestop
- Salary Expert
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