What does a nurse practitioner do? Duties, pay, education and outlook
Nurse practitioners serve as primary and specialty care providers, delivering advanced nursing services to patients and their families. They typically need at least a master's degree in an advanced practice nursing field, a registered nursing license, national certification and an APRN license.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| O*NET-SOC code | 29-1171.00 (Nurse Practitioners) |
| Typical entry-level education | Master's degree |
| Training | None |
| Licensing | RN license, national certification and APRN license |
| Median annual wage | $132,300 per year (May 2025, BLS) |
| Projected growth | 41 percent, 2025 to 2035 (much faster than average) |
| Number of jobs | 336,300 (2025) |
| Projected openings | About 32,200 per year, on average, over the decade |
What does a nurse practitioner do?
The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) lists these duties:
- Take and record patients' medical histories and symptoms.
- Perform physical exams and observe patients.
- Create patient care plans or contribute to existing plans.
- Perform and order diagnostic tests.
- Operate and monitor medical equipment.
- Diagnose various health problems.
- Analyze test results or changes in a patient's condition and alter treatment plans, as needed.
- Give patients medicines and treatments.
- Evaluate a patient's response to medicines and treatments.
- Consult with doctors and other healthcare professionals, as needed.
- Counsel and teach patients and their families how to stay healthy or manage their illnesses or injuries.
Work environment
Largest employers by share of jobs: Offices of physicians 46 percent; hospitals; state, local, and private 25 percent; outpatient care centers 9 percent; offices of other health practitioners 5 percent; home healthcare services 3 percent. The employer shares are printed for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners combined. Nurse practitioners typically care for a certain population, for example adult and geriatric health, pediatric health, or psychiatric and mental health. The scope of their duties varies by state, and many work independently, prescribe medications and order laboratory tests.
Education, training and licensing
- Education: Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), which include nurse practitioners, typically need at least a master's degree in an advanced practice nursing field.
- Licensing and certification: In general, APRNs must have a registered nursing license, complete an accredited graduate-level program, pass a national certification exam and have an APRN license. To become licensed and use an APRN title, most states require national certification.
- Other credentials: Positions may also require CPR, basic life support (BLS) or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification.
Skills that matter
The OOH names communication skills, critical-thinking skills, compassion, detail orientation, interpersonal skills, leadership skills and resourcefulness. O*NET lists the knowledge, skills and tasks for this occupation in its Nurse Practitioners summary.
How much do nurse practitioners make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $132,300 per year (May 2025). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $102,190 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $224,490. The percentile figures in this guide ($102,190 and $224,490) are printed for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners combined, whose combined median was $134,920 in May 2025; the nurse practitioner median alone was $132,300.
See the OOH pay tab and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for more detail. Our guide on how to research pay explains how to read these numbers.
Job outlook
BLS projects nurse practitioner employment to grow 41 percent from 2025 to 2035, from 336,300 jobs in 2025 to 474,100 in 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. The profile projects about 32,200 openings a year, on average, for the three roles combined.
How to get hired
- Plan the pathway. Start from an RN license, then choose an accredited graduate-level program in the population you want to serve.
- Get certified and licensed. Pass the national certification exam and apply for your state's APRN license; rules vary by state.
- Lead with your population focus. Say whether you serve adult and geriatric, pediatric, or psychiatric and mental health patients. Our resume sections recruiters read guide helps.
- Search steadily. Use our find a job fast routine, search jobs on LiveRec, and set a job alert.
Related occupations
Audiologists; Occupational therapists; Physical therapists; Physician assistants; Physicians and surgeons; Registered nurses; Speech-language pathologists.
Related guides on LiveRec: registered nurses, physician assistants.
Frequently asked questions
What degree does a nurse practitioner need? At least a master's degree in an advanced practice nursing field, plus an RN license.
Do nurse practitioners need national certification? Most states require national certification to become licensed and use an APRN title.
Can nurse practitioners prescribe medication? Many do. The OOH says the scope of duties varies by state, and many nurse practitioners work independently, prescribe medications and order laboratory tests.
Is nurse practitioner a growing career? BLS projects 41 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm (accessed 31 October 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Nurse Practitioners: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1171.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.