What Is the Average DNP Salary?

Nursing is a crucial part of the medical world, with hospitals, healthcare services, and health organizations relying heavily on the work of nurses to keep patients and procedures in check. As with any other profession, there are different levels of positions through which nurses have the option to go through if they desire to have a lifelong career. 

Although many have the objective of becoming registered nurses (RNs), others choose to continue their progress beyond that and advance their knowledge and contribution by completing additional programs and getting degrees. Nurses do this for many reasons, and one of those is their yearly income. 

In this article, we'll focus on DNPs, their average salary, and their income based on specialization and the state they work in.

What Is a DNP?

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice-based doctorate providing all graduates with the necessary skills and training to become good leaders in the nursing world. The high level of commitment also makes this one of the most critical degrees in the field, through which nurses can grasp opportunities for higher positions and salaries.

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What Can You Do With a DNP?

With a DNP, the horizons open up to a broad range of possibilities. With all the expertise and proficiency accumulated, DNP graduates can work in private and state hospitals, outpatient care centers, physician's offices, and educational services. 

Skills

A DNP holder demonstrates the following skills:

Problem-solving - The nursing profession is full of difficulties and unpredictable issues that may need immediate solutions. DNP graduates are fully equipped with problem-solving techniques and creative thinking specifically engrained for these situations. 

Clinical instruction - DNPs are not only professional nurses but also tutors to other aspiring nurses. They pass on their knowledge of dealing with patients to trainees and help them enhance their decision-making skills. 

Leadership abilities - A significant part of a DNPs job is creating, implementing, and checking a patient's care plan. Executive leadership skills are a must; as such, a qualified person will have the capacity to guide the other nurses and handle the most critical of circumstances. 

Interpersonal communication - While a nurse needs this skill to communicate issues between patients and doctors, a DNP needs interpersonal communication to resolve conflicts, transmit information, and convey new ideas. 

The desire to improve existing methodologies - DNPs should  have the ability not only to adapt to changes but also to be the change. They should continuously work towards enhancing current techniques and finding new ways of doing things that benefit the whole medical field of nursing. 

Requirements to get a DNP

To get a DNP, you'll need to have at least 1,000 clinical practice hours and a Master of Science in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. There are also essential examinations that have to be passed, which differ slightly from one another according to the specialty you choose.

What Is the Average DNP Salary?

In the U.S., DNP salaries vary according to experience and the state where DNPs choose to work. We'll quickly go through some average wages based on years in the field and some of the best-paying states for DNPs. 

Average DNP salary based on experience

It’s quite comforting to think that years of hard work and accumulated experience pay off over time. According to Payscale.com, these are the yearly average salaries based on experience as DNP:

Just starting - $92,000

1 to 4 years as DNP - $98,815

5 to 9 years as DNP- $104,441

10-19 years as DNP - $110,247

20+ years as DNP - $112,857

10 best-paying states for DNP graduates

If you are comfortable with change, want to explore other environments, and also increase your salary, you may want to consider the list of states below and the yearly salaries as they are the 10 best-paying states to work in as a DNP, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Wyoming - $158,740

California - $157,750 

Montana - $154,130

Minnesota - $149,370 

Hawaii - $147,070 

Alaska - $144,640 

Massachusetts - $142,300

Iowa - $140,190

Oregon - $139,920 

DNP Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be about 29,400 job openings each year from now until 2030 because of the increase in health service demand.  According to the US News and World Reports, the position of a nurse practitioner is among the 100 best jobs available in the USA. A DNP degree is excellent for job opportunities with options for advanced clinical nursing roles and management positions in healthcare organizations. Additionally, if the demand for nurse practitioners continues to rise constantly, getting that DNP might be the decision of a lifetime. 

5 best-paying jobs as DNP

After graduating as a DNP, you'll have plenty of high-paying job offers on the table. We've made it easier for you to pick one with the detailed list below. 

Certified registered nurse anesthetist

Nurse anesthetists work in hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices, military environments, psychiatric institutions, and emergency rooms. Their scope of work includes:

  • Assessing and preparing patients for anesthesia

  • Administering the anesthesia to patients

  • Overseeing anesthesia during operations

  • Regularly visiting patients and record findings

  • Managing the recovery of the patient from anesthesia

The requirements to become a nurse anesthetist are:

CRNAs have annual salaries that range from $118,000 to $210,000, with the U.S. average being about $164,300. 

Neurology nurse practitioner (NNP)

Neurology nurses assist in treating neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, epilepsy, sclerosis, Parkinson's, and spinal cord injuries. NNPs work in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, trauma centers, ICUs, and private neurology practices. Their duties consist of:

  • Seeing new and returning symptomatic patients

  • Ordering diagnostic tests and prescribing medicine 

  • Performing IV infusions and other medical services and procedures

  • Reviewing neuroimaging and lab results

These are some of the requirements of becoming an NNP:

  • Must be a registered nurse

  • Must have a bachelor's degree

  • Must have worked in neurological units for a year

  • Must pass the ABNN exam

NNP’s salaries range from $99,000 to $134,000, with an average of $115,400 yearly. 

Oncology nurse practitioner (ONP)

Oncology nurse practitioners are specialized nurses that provide care and supervision of cancer patients and their families. They work in cardiology units, emergency rooms, pediatrics, family practice departments, etc. Some of ONP's daily tasks include:

  • Viewing test results

  • Making an official diagnosis and writing prescriptions

  • Keeping records to prevent incorrect diagnoses and drug interactions

  • Providing primary care to patients and communicating with their families

Some requirements to become an ONP are:

  • Having an active license as a registered nurse with two years of experience

  • Having 2,000 hours of oncology nursing practice

  • Passing the AOCNP exam

Oncology NPs have an average salary of $105,427, with the highest ones reaching $150,000. 

Orthopedic nurse practitioner (ONP)

Orthopedic nurse practitioners provide care to people with musculoskeletal injuries and diseases. They work alongside physicians in hospitals, doctors' offices, healthcare agencies, rehabilitation centers, assisted living centers, and more. Here are some of the things ONPs do:

  • Inform patients of their condition

  • Keep medical records

  • Educate patients' families about the injury/disease and treatment

  • Assist surgeons through surgery and patient after the operation

  • Conduct routine health assessments

Here's what you need to do to become an ONP:

  • Earn a Bachelor's and Master of Science in Nursing

  • Have a minimum of 2,000 hours of practice

  • Pass the ONP-C exam

An ONP earns an average of $117,000 yearly.

Acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP)

Acute care nurse practitioners deal with patients that suffer from acute or chronic conditions. They work in hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care clinics, operating rooms, and more. Here are some of the obligations an ACNP has:

  • Communicate with patients to understand their concerns and needs

  • Schedule rounds of checks on patients

  • Perform examinations and interpret diagnostic tests

  • Establish a condition management plan for treatment

To become an ACNP, you need to:

  • Become a registered nurse

  • Earn a master's in nursing

  • Pass the ACNP exam

  • Obtain state licensure

An ACNP can earn from $91,000 to $136,000, with an average of $109,200.

Conclusion

We've gone through all the crucial factors of Doctor of Nursing Practice salaries and this degree's many opportunities. All that's left is a lot of determination, training, and perseverance to complete all requirements. However, the crucial thing is that all of your hard work will be paid off, literally, considering the high wages DNPs seem to get. So, fret not and put your head down, future nurse practitioner!

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