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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, MSN: Career Outlook

Thrive in a Growing Field of Expertise

The demand for mental health professionals continues to rise due to increasing awareness of mental health issues, higher rates of mental illness, and the growing recognition of the importance of mental health care. PMHNPs with a post-graduate certificate have a wide range of career options, including positions in hospitals, private practices, community mental health centers, correctional facilities, and schools.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the employment of nurse practitioners, including PMHNPs, will grow much faster than the average for all occupations, with a projected growth rate of about 40% from 2021 to 2031. Salary.com lists the median annual salary as $112,000 to $130,000 per year, depending on specific job roles and locations.1

Top EARNERS:

$132,000/year

As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP),  take care of patients suffering from a variety of mental illnesses and disorders. Psychiatric nurse practitioner duties will vary based on where they work, but they often diagnose and treat common acute psychiatric problems, illnesses, and crises.

Payscale2 reports that with increased experience comes an increase in pay. Psychiatric NPs specifically can earn the following:
• Less than 1 year of experience earn an average annual salary of $112,000
• 1-4 years of experience earn an average annual salary of $121,000
• 5-9 years of experience earns an average annual salary of $126,000
• 10-19 years of experience earns an average annual salary of $129,000
• 20 years and higher years of experience earns an average annual salary of $132,000

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Sources:

1. U.S. Bureau and Labor Statistics. (2022, March 31). Occupational employment and wages, May 2021. 29-1171 Nurse practitioners. Occupational employment and wage statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291171.htm

2. Payscale: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) salary -  https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Psychiatric_Nurse_Practitioner_(NP)/Salary