Nurse Practitioner Degree Programs in Florida (2026)

Quick answer: Nurse Practitioners in Florida earn a median $129,510 per year, below the national median of $132,300 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The state employs about 21,790 of them. Licensing runs through your state board of nursing.

Nurse Practitioner Pay and Employment in Florida at a Glance

MetricFloridaNationalSource
Median annual wage$129,510$132,300BLS OEWS, May 2025
10th percentile$101,920$101,340BLS OEWS, May 2025
25th percentile$112,380$117,990BLS OEWS, May 2025
75th percentile$137,610$156,700BLS OEWS, May 2025
90th percentile$163,600$174,420BLS OEWS, May 2025
Employment21,790323,040BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location quotient1.061.00BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected change (2024-34)not published by state40.1%BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34

How Florida Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country

The Florida median of $129,510 sits below the national median of $132,300 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.

A location quotient of 1.06 puts Florida slightly above the national average, so the occupation is a little more common here than in the typical state (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.

Where the Jobs Are in Florida

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
North Port$134,470630
Gainesville$134,270410
Jacksonville$133,8102,310
Miami$131,3405,810
Orlando$130,6401,950
Cape Coral$129,670690
Port St. Lucie$128,770410
Naples$128,680290
Deltona$128,130620
Tampa$128,1204,180

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Clinical placement is local: graduate nursing programs require supervised hours completed in person, and preceptor availability tracks the local health system.

Nurse Practitioners Wages by Metro Area in Florida

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), nurse practitioners wages in Florida vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach5,810$131,340$136,150$106,880$169,060
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater4,180$128,120$127,160$99,390$158,710
Jacksonville2,310$133,810$133,260$108,290$162,160
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford1,950$130,640$128,860$104,230$159,210
Cape Coral-Fort Myers690$129,670$127,990$104,000$159,330
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota630$134,470$133,020$102,990$167,370
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach620$128,130$127,220$102,210$168,420
Lakeland-Winter Haven570$125,720$122,420$100,970$154,560
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville500$120,870$118,780$78,500$140,310
Gainesville410$134,270$131,030$99,830$152,400
Port St. Lucie410$128,770$130,550$104,090$163,230
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent370$120,880$122,370$69,220$166,540
Tallahassee350$117,880$119,890$99,560$151,110
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin330$124,680$131,050$104,000$161,470
Ocala300$124,430$125,250$93,640$164,210
Naples-Marco Island290$128,680$133,130$107,700$162,080
Panama City-Panama City Beach190$119,640$121,610$97,260$158,070
Punta Gorda170$125,460$125,120$99,760$157,320
Wildwood-The Villages170$124,930$139,610$103,380$166,400
Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor130$123,970$125,920$97,360$145,600
Homosassa Springs110$119,990$124,040$99,990$166,130
Sebring90$114,870$115,870$89,990$149,210

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

All Florida Metro Areas With Published Data

Cape Coral * Crestview * Deltona * Gainesville * Homosassa Springs * Jacksonville * Lakeland * Miami * Naples * North Port * Ocala * Orlando * Palm Bay * Panama City * Pensacola * Port St. Lucie * Punta Gorda * Sebastian * Tallahassee * Tampa * Wildwood

Licensing and Credentials in Florida

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses. The national framework is a graduate degree (MSN or DNP) from a program accredited by CCNE or ACEN, national certification through AANP or ANCC, and APRN licensure issued by the state board of nursing. How much a nurse practitioner may do independently - full, reduced or restricted practice authority - is set by each state and is one of the most consequential differences between them.

Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your state board of nursing that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.

Earning the Degree While You Work

Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How We Rank Schools

We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%

Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#1

South Florida State College

Avon Park, FL 12.2 miles away BOC Score 73.8
Tuition $3,165 - $11,859
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 49.4%
  • Programs offered: 69
  • Annual completions: 533
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $48,619 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Traviss Technical College

Lakeland, FL 29.4 miles away BOC Score 73.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 85.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 37
  • Annual completions: 651
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $38,755 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Erwin Technical College

Tampa, FL 54.3 miles away BOC Score 60.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 79.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 41
  • Annual completions: 634
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $41,518 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Orange Technical College

Orlando, FL 56.2 miles away BOC Score 49.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 17
  • Annual completions: 600
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $34,945 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Ridge Technical College

Winter Haven, FL 22.4 miles away BOC Score 47.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 28
  • Annual completions: 647
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $35,542 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Herzing University-Orlando

Winter Park, FL 61.7 miles away BOC Score 46.9
Tuition $13,450 - $26,664
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 94.2%
  • Graduation rate: 39.1%
  • Programs offered: 19
  • Annual completions: 161
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $58,575 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Gwinnett Institute

Orlando, FL 55.8 miles away BOC Score 44.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
  • 1900 North Alafaya Trail Suite 100 Orlando, FL 32826-4735
  • (407) 434-4870
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 5
  • Annual completions: 109
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $41,872 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Osceola Technical College

Kissimmee, FL 42.5 miles away BOC Score 43.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 49.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 36
  • Annual completions: 555
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $37,201 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do nurse practitioners make in Florida?

The median annual wage for nurse practitioners in Florida is $129,510, below the national median of $132,300 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $112,380 at the 25th percentile to $137,610 at the 75th.

How many nurse practitioners work in Florida?

Florida holds about 21,790 nurse practitioner jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 323,040, and BLS projects about 29,500 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).

Do I need a license to work as a nurse practitioner in Florida?

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses. The national framework is a graduate degree (MSN or DNP) from a program accredited by CCNE or ACEN, national certification through AANP or ANCC, and APRN licensure issued by the state board of nursing. How much a nurse practitioner may do independently - full, reduced or restricted practice authority - is set by each state and is one of the most consequential differences between them. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your state board of nursing before you enroll in any program.

Can I earn a MSN or DNP online while working in Florida?

Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies your state board of nursing.

What is the highest-paying area of Florida for nurse practitioners?

Among Florida metro areas with published data, North Port reports the highest median at $134,470 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Is Florida a good state for nurse practitioners?

On pay, the state median of $129,510 sits below the national $132,300 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.06 means the occupation is more concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Nurse Practitioners (SOC 29-1171), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.


About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.