Last Updated: February 2026 | Sources: BLS, ZipRecruiter, Indeed, PayScale, Glassdoor, CompHealth
2026 PMHNP Salary Guide
Quick Answer: PMHNP Salary in 2026
The average PMHNP salary is $155,000+ per year in 2026. The top 10% earn $210,000+. New graduates start at $115,000-$145,000, while experienced PMHNPs (7-15 years) earn $180,000-$210,000. Private practice owners can earn $180,000-$300,000+. The highest-paying state is Idaho at $205,080, followed by New Jersey ($182,022) and California ($181,670).
How Much Do PMHNPs Make in 2026?
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) are among the highest-paid nursing specialties in the United States. The national average PMHNP salary is $155,000+ per year in 2026, with the top 10% earning $210,000 or more. Job growth is projected at 45% through 2032, making it one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions.
Salary data compiled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), ZipRecruiter, Indeed, PayScale, Glassdoor, and CompHealth (January 2026).
PMHNP Salary by State
See how PMHNP salaries compare across different states. Click any state to view available jobs.
Note: The table below shows real-time salary data from active PMHNP job postings on our platform. For comprehensive state-by-state data including cost-of-living adjustments and practice authority status, download our full 2026 PMHNP Salary Guide PDF.
| State | Avg. Salary | Jobs | |
|---|---|---|---|
1 South Dakota SD | $338k | 2 | View Jobs |
2 Mississippi MS | $329k | 2 | View Jobs |
3 Wisconsin WI | $329k | 2 | View Jobs |
Alabama AL | $314k | 3 | View Jobs |
Hawaii HI | $308k | 1 | View Jobs |
New Mexico NM | $285k | 3 | View Jobs |
Kentucky KY | $271k | 5 | View Jobs |
Connecticut CT | $266k | 2 | View Jobs |
Pennsylvania PA | $260k | 9 | View Jobs |
New Hampshire NH | $252k | 3 | View Jobs |
Michigan MI | $244k | 4 | View Jobs |
Nebraska NE | $241k | 1 | View Jobs |
District of Columbia DC | $231k | 3 | View Jobs |
North Dakota ND | $229k | 2 | View Jobs |
Nevada NV | $227k | 3 | View Jobs |
Minnesota MN | $223k | 6 | View Jobs |
Georgia GA | $214k | 6 | View Jobs |
Tennessee TN | $214k | 3 | View Jobs |
Arkansas AR | $212k | 8 | View Jobs |
Rhode Island RI | $208k | 3 | View Jobs |
Vermont VT | $206k | 2 | View Jobs |
North Carolina NC | $205k | 8 | View Jobs |
Missouri MO | $204k | 3 | View Jobs |
Illinois IL | $203k | 7 | View Jobs |
Louisiana LA | $194k | 2 | View Jobs |
New Jersey NJ | $189k | 9 | View Jobs |
Maine ME | $188k | 8 | View Jobs |
Idaho ID | $183k | 4 | View Jobs |
Maryland MD | $178k | 9 | View Jobs |
Ohio OH | $177k | 5 | View Jobs |
Alaska AK | $177k | 4 | View Jobs |
Massachusetts MA | $168k | 16 | View Jobs |
Arizona AZ | $165k | 8 | View Jobs |
Texas TX | $152k | 19 | View Jobs |
Kansas KS | $151k | 19 | View Jobs |
South Carolina SC | $150k | 9 | View Jobs |
Florida FL | $145k | 4 | View Jobs |
Oregon OR | $144k | 13 | View Jobs |
Virginia VA | $137k | 33 | View Jobs |
New York NY | $136k | 64 | View Jobs |
Delaware DE | $133k | 35 | View Jobs |
Indiana IN | $131k | 15 | View Jobs |
California CA | $129k | 16 | View Jobs |
Wyoming WY | $128k | 5 | View Jobs |
Washington WA | $124k | 196 | View Jobs |
Utah UT | $122k | 38 | View Jobs |
Colorado CO | $121k | 25 | View Jobs |
Oklahoma OK | $118k | 16 | View Jobs |
Montana MT | $109k | 5 | View Jobs |
Iowa IA | $102k | 10 | View Jobs |
PMHNP Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| New Grad (0-1 yr) | $115,000 - $145,000 |
| Early Career (1-3 yrs) | $145,000 - $165,000 |
| Mid-Career (3-7 yrs) | $165,000 - $185,000 |
| Experienced (7-15 yrs) | $180,000 - $210,000 |
| Expert (15+ yrs) | $200,000 - $250,000+ |
PMHNP Salary by Setting
Private Practice (Owner)
Highest earning potential, requires business skills
Telehealth / Remote
Growing rapidly, flexible schedules
Travel / Locum Tenens
Includes housing, travel, higher hourly rates
Outpatient Clinic
Most common setting, steady patient load
Hospital / Inpatient
Often includes shift differentials, benefits
Community Mental Health
May qualify for loan forgiveness programs
PMHNP Specialty Salary Premiums
| Specialty | Premium |
|---|---|
| Addiction/Substance Abuse (MAT) | +15-20% |
| Child & Adolescent | +10-15% |
| Forensic Psychiatry | +15-25% |
| Emergency/Crisis | +10-20% |
| Geriatric Psychiatry | +5-10% |
| Private Practice (Owner) | +20-40% |
| Rural/Underserved | +10-15% |
Full Practice Authority (FPA) Impact on PMHNP Salary
34 states plus DC now have Full Practice Authority. PMHNPs in FPA states earn 12-15% more on average.
✓ Full Practice Authority
- • +12-15% salary premium
- • Can own practice independently
- • Full clinical independence
Restricted/Reduced Practice
- • Baseline salary
- • Requires physician collaboration
- • Physician oversight required
2026 PMHNP Market Trends
| Metric | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $158,000 | $162,000 | $165,000 |
| Job Postings (Monthly) | 12,500 | 14,200 | 15,800 |
| Telehealth % | 48% | 55% | 62% |
| Time to Fill (days) | 45 | 38 | 32 |
Why Demand is High
- • 123 million Americans live in mental health shortage areas
- • 6,203 additional providers needed to meet demand
- • 45% projected NP job growth through 2032
Factors Affecting PMHNP Salary
Geographic Location
States with higher cost of living and greater demand (CA, NY, MA) typically offer 20-40% higher salaries than rural areas.
Experience Level
Entry-level PMHNPs start around $115-145k. With 5+ years experience, salaries can reach $180-210k or more.
Employment Type
1099 contractors and travel PMHNPs often earn 20-50% more than W2 employees, though without traditional benefits.
Practice Setting
Private practice and telehealth positions often pay more than hospital or community health settings.
Specialization
Subspecialties like addiction psychiatry, child/adolescent, or forensic psychiatry can command premium pay (+10-25%).
Negotiation
PMHNPs who negotiate can often secure 5-15% higher starting salaries plus signing bonuses ($5,000-$30,000) and better benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions About PMHNP Salary
How much do PMHNPs make in 2026?
The national average PMHNP salary is $155,000+ per year in 2026, based on data from BLS, ZipRecruiter, Indeed, PayScale, Glassdoor, and CompHealth. The top 10% earn $210,000 or more. New graduates start at $115,000-$145,000, while experienced PMHNPs earn $180,000-$210,000.
Which state pays PMHNPs the most?
Idaho offers the highest PMHNP salary at $205,080 per year, followed by New Jersey ($182,022), California ($181,670), Rhode Island ($175,530), and Washington ($173,331). When adjusted for cost of living, Idaho, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, and Missouri offer the best value.
Do telehealth PMHNPs make less than in-person?
Telehealth PMHNPs earn $130,000 to $175,000, while in-person PMHNPs earn $145,000 to $185,000. However, telehealth offers excellent flexibility and some companies like Talkiatry pay $180,000-$215,000+ for experienced PMHNPs with multi-state licenses.
How can I increase my PMHNP salary?
Top strategies include: specializing in high-demand areas like addiction psychiatry (+15-20% premium) or forensic psychiatry (+15-25%), practicing in Full Practice Authority states (+12-15% premium), considering private practice ownership ($180,000-$300,000+), working in rural/underserved areas for loan repayment incentives, and always negotiating total compensation including sign-on bonuses ($5,000-$30,000), CME allowance, and PTO.
How much do travel PMHNPs make?
Travel and locum tenens PMHNPs typically earn 20-50% more than permanent positions, with compensation ranging from $150,000 to $250,000+ including housing stipends and travel allowances.
Data Sources & Methodology: Salary data compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), ZipRecruiter, Indeed, PayScale, Glassdoor, CompHealth, and analysis of 8,500+ active PMHNP job postings on PMHNP Hiring. Industry data updated January 2026. Real-time job posting data updated daily.
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