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Whether you are aspiring to become a nurse practitioner or you’ve been practicing for years, you may wonder how to increase your salary, especially if you live in Wyoming, which is a full independent scope of practice state. This article explains how you can make the most of your education, experience, and excellent location to do just that.
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners in Wyoming Earn?
In the great state of Wyoming, nurse practitioners earn an annual average of $115,230 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2022) per year. This puts Wyoming near the top of states that pay nurse practitioners the most. This means that relocating probably wouldn’t be the most lucrative decision. If you are interested in relocating, however, other states like Massachusetts, Texas, or Minnesota also pay nurse practitioners well. Wyoming is also a full independent scope of practice state, which means that you can have quite a bit of autonomy to build your own practice.
Wyoming Nurse Practitioner Salaries – Visualized
Nurse Practitioners Salaries in urban areas of Wyoming
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Casper, WY | 100 | $109,240 |
| Cheyenne, WY | 90 | $118,130 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2022 |
Nurse Practitioners Salaries in rural areas of Wyoming
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | 130 | $108,900 |
| Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | 140 | $122,950 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2022 |
Increasing Nurse Practitioner Salary in Wyoming
Through Education
One of the most effective methods of increasing your salary as a nurse practitioner in Wyoming is by continuing your education.
Participating in professional development and continuing education courses, you invest in your skills, increase your knowledge of the medical field, and even become more marketable to practices that might pay you more. When you invest in your education and have more specialized knowledge, it becomes easier for you to negotiate for a higher salary. One example of this would be to explore opportunities offered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. If you continually add more certifications and specialties to your resume, you open so many doors. Not only can you increase your salary by furthering your education, but you can also become more fulfilled in your career.
Adding Experience and Education to Your Resume as a Nurse Practitioner
If you have been a nurse practitioner for a while, you probably have a diverse array of experiences on your resume. When negotiating for a higher salary, don’t forget to mention that valuable experience and how it makes you a valuable asset.
Negotiating Your Salary
With the right education and experience, you are in a great position to negotiate your salary, regardless of whether you are walking into a new job or have been working for the same practice for years. There are so many helpful resources that can help you negotiate your salary as a nurse practitioner.
Other Ways to Bring in Some Extra Money
If you are just looking for ways to bring in a little extra cash, consider selling your old textbooks to a student studying to be a nurse practitioner. You might even consider tutoring these students! It never hurts to have someone with hands-on experience help you develop your knowledge and skills. Another lucrative way to make money is by freelancing. Medical writing gigs tend to pay well, and there are always people looking for freelancers with medical experience to work on those types of projects. Regardless of the route you decide to take to increase your income or just bring in extra money as a nurse practitioner, just know that you have so many different options to choose from.