The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation placed both nurse practitioners and nurse administrators on its list of the Top 15 Hot Jobs Now in the state for professionals with a graduate or professional degree. These advanced nursing professions were chosen based on their high demand, high growth, and high wages for the period between 2016 and 2026.
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The growth projections for these professions is no surprise, as Maryland is in the midst of a severe nursing shortage, one that’s been called “one of the worst nurse shortages in state history” by a July 2019 article by the Baltimore Post-Examiner.
Thus, Maryland will need an increased number of nurses and other healthcare providers to provide adequate care to its population.
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) like nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists are a key component of the state’s nursing workforce, and the federal Health Resources and Services Administration reported that non-physician clinicians are an increasingly large proportion of Maryland’s primary care provider workforce.
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is rapidly becoming the default degree for APRNs, and a number of Maryland’s nurses are seeking this degree, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
Earning a DNP provides an assurance of high salaries. According to a 2018 survey by the Advance Healthcare Network, nurse practitioners who held a DNP earned, on average, 7% more than their peers whose highest degree was an MSN.
Statewide Salary Data for DNP-Educated APNs and More in Maryland
DNP-educated nurses in all their various roles are consistently recognized for earning top salaries (Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, 2018):
- Nurse Administrators and Educators – $144,880-$198,360
- Nurse-Midwives – $122,670-$138,420
- Nurse Practitioners – $128,830-$157,220
- Nurse Educators – $106,820-$135,360
Salaries for DNP Nurses in Maryland’s Major Cities
The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation provides salary information for DNP-educated advanced nursing professionals in the major regions of the state (2018):
Nurse Administrators and Executives:
- Baltimore $142,160+
- Cumberland: $119,880-$152,390
- Hagerstown: $138,670-$169,090
- Salisbury; $128,720-$168,890
Nurse Educators:
- Baltimore: $111,580-$138,620
- Cumberland: $73,860-87,820
Nurse Practitioners:
- Baltimore: $129,380-$159,650
- Cumberland: $143,300-$159,630
- Hagerstown: $124,770-$147,960
- Salisbury: $126,350-$147,660
Nurse Midwives:
- Baltimore: $123,910-$139,880
An Overview of Hourly Wages for Maryland’s DNP-Educated Nurses
A 2019 Medscape Compensation Report found that 78% of APRNs are paid overtime for their work. It’s therefore often beneficial to view hourly wages for DNP nurses because overtime for these professionals can account for a significant part of their annual income.
The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation provides hourly wages for DPN-educated nursing professionals, as of 2018:
- Nurse-Midwives: $58.98-$66.55
- Nurse Practitioners: $61.94-$75.59
- Nurse Administrators: $69.65-$95.36
Salary and employment data compiled by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation in May of 2018 – (http://www.dllr.state.md.us/lmi/). Salary data represents state and MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) average and median earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
All salary and job growth data accessed in December 2019.
This page includes salaries that fall within the 75th and 90th percentiles for each nursing role to account for the fact that DNP-educated nurses are recognized as earning more than master’s-prepared nurses in the same roles.