The average pediatric nurse practitioner salary in the United States is $135,513 per year as of 2026, with top cities like Dallas reaching $220,750 annually. Pediatric NPs are among the most sought-after clinical preceptors in NP education, with a documented shortage of qualified supervisors nationwide. PNPs who precept NP students through NPHub can add $5,000 to $10,000 or more per year to their existing clinical income without changing their schedule.
TL;DR
- The pediatric NP workforce is under pressure: 40% of children in the U.S. have one or more chronic conditions, yet nearly 10% of PNP programs closed in the past decade, and the shortage of qualified pediatric NP preceptors is one of the five key contributors to the overall PNP workforce crisis.
- What pediatric NPs earn in 2026: The average PNP salary is $135,513 per year nationally. Dallas leads all cities at $220,750, with San Francisco and Los Angeles also topping $200,000 annually.
- The preceptor income opportunity: Nurse preceptors earn an average of $82,765 per year on top of their existing clinical salary; PNPs precepting through NPHub add $5,000 to $10,000 or more annually.
- You likely already qualify: An active license, relevant pediatric certification, and at least one year of clinical experience in pediatrics meet the baseline requirements.
The Pediatric Care Pipeline Problem
The United States is facing an emerging crisis in child healthcare equity, and pediatric nurse practitioners are at the center of it:
- 40% of children in the U.S. suffer from one or more chronic conditions.
- Rates of child suicide increased 45% since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- PNPs serve 43 million children in the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program.
The demand is urgent, but the pipeline producing pediatric NPs is under pressure. Nearly 10% of PNP programs were shuttered or suspended in the past decade, mainly in non-urban areas. An emphasis on adult-focused NP programs, decreased PNP enrollment, and faculty advising students toward FNP tracks have all contributed to a workforce that is not growing fast enough. At the center of that pipeline problem is an acute shortage of PNP preceptors.
How Much Does a PNP Earn in 2026?
National Median and Range
According to Indeed salary data updated May 2026, the average pediatric nurse practitioner salary in the United States is $135,513 per year. The full range runs from $92,260 on the lower end to $199,043 at the top.
What PNPs Earn by City
- #1 Dallas, TX: $220,750/yr
- #2 San Francisco, CA: $213,774/yr
- #3 Los Angeles, CA: $201,022/yr
- #4 Houston, TX: $183,772/yr
- #5 Brooklyn, NY: $175,076/yr
- #6 New York, NY: $156,545/yr
- #7 Bronx, NY: $144,363/yr
- #8 Hartford, CT: $135,281/yr
- #9 Brattleboro, VT: $112,456/yr
Why Pediatric NP Students Struggle to Find Preceptors
- An acute and documented preceptor shortage — identified as one of the five key contributors to the overall pediatric NP workforce crisis.
- No financial incentives to precept — most pediatric NPs receive no compensation for supervising students.
- Program closures reduced clinical site availability — nearly 10% of PNP programs closed in the past decade, and about 20% of rural and suburban pediatric hospital beds closed in the same period.
- Geographic gaps leave rural students without options — training has centralized in urban markets.
How PNPs Add Income by Precepting NP Students
Who Qualifies to Be a Pediatric NP Preceptor
- Primary qualification: Education for advanced professional practice in a pediatric-relevant role (PNP, FNP, CNS in pediatrics, MD in pediatrics or family medicine, or an interprofessional specialist engaged primarily in pediatric care).
- Clinical experience: A minimum of one year in pediatric-related practice, with at least six months at the current clinical site.
- Licensure: Current unencumbered license and certification in the relevant specialty.
- Practice focus: Clinical practice that primarily serves pediatric patients and families.
What the Preceptorship Involves
- Orienting and supervising the student — preceptors must be physically present at the clinical site, signing all student notes and prescriptions as required.
- Building progressive clinical independence as skills grow.
- Evaluating and providing feedback across clinical competencies.
What PNP Preceptors Earn
Nurse preceptors in the United States earn an average of $82,765 per year ($40/hr), with the majority range between $76,807 and $89,684 and top earners reaching $95,983. PNPs who precept consistently through NPHub can add $5,000 to $10,000 or more per year — without adding patients, extending clinic hours, or taking on a second clinical role.
How to Become a Pediatric NP Preceptor Through NPHub
- Share your info and our team reaches out.
- Choose who you precept and when — from pre-vetted PNP students matched to your specialty and schedule.
- Sign two forms and you are done — NPHub manages affiliation agreements, credentialing, and liability documentation.
- Teach, mentor, and get paid — compensation is processed within six weeks; earn up to $150 in referral bonuses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average pediatric nurse practitioner salary in 2026?
$135,513 per year as of 2026, with a range from $92,260 to $199,043 depending on location, practice setting, and clinical experience.
Which cities pay pediatric NPs the most?
Dallas leads at $220,750/yr, followed by San Francisco at $213,774 and Los Angeles at $201,022.
How much do pediatric NP preceptors get paid?
Nurse preceptors earn an average of $82,765 per year as of 2026. For PNPs precepting through NPHub, that adds directly on top of existing clinical income.
Can I precept students if I work in a pediatric specialty clinic rather than primary care?
Yes. PNP programs require rotations across a range of pediatric settings, including specialty care. NPHub will assess your clinical site during onboarding.
Does NPHub handle the affiliation agreement with the student's school?
Yes — NPHub manages all paperwork and coordinates directly with the student's NP program.
Do I need special credentials to precept pediatric NP students?
Preceptors must hold education for advanced professional practice in a pediatric-relevant role, an active unencumbered license, and a minimum of one year of clinical experience with at least six months at their current site.