Explore geriatrics NP and PA salary ranges, hourly rates, and how the aging population and locum work shape earning potential in 2026.
Geriatrics NP and PA compensation reflects the specialty’s combination of complex patient management, growing demographic demand, and the structural challenge of recruiting clinicians to long-term care, home health, and skilled nursing settings. Most geriatrics APPs earn between $120,000 and $134,000 annually, with scope of practice, care setting, and geographic market driving variation above the median.
| Source | What it Measures | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| AANP Compensation Report (2025) | Median NP total compensation | $120,000 |
| AAPA Salary Report (2025) | Median PA total compensation | ~$130,000 |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (2025) | Mean annual wage, NPs (SOC 29-1171) and PAs (SOC 29-1071) | $133,646 (NP) / ~$134,000 (PA) |
The demographic demand driving geriatrics is effectively locked in for decades, which gives the specialty unusually strong long-term stability. The over-65 population continues growing rapidly while the geriatric clinician pipeline remains limited.
| Compensation Type | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| W-2 employed NP (BLS mean, ~2,080 hrs) | ~$64 /hr |
| W-2 employed PA (BLS mean, ~2,080 hrs) | ~$64 /hr |
| Locum tenens — lower band | $75 /hr |
| Locum tenens — lower band | $110 /hr |
Sources: BLS OEWS 2025; Barton Associates market data 2025–2026.
Geriatrics locum demand is growing as health systems, skilled nursing organizations, and home-health agencies increasingly rely on NPs and PAs to close care gaps. Scope-of-practice expansion continues opening new opportunities.
Geriatrics APP pay is driven by supply-demand imbalance in rural and underserved markets. Health systems, skilled nursing organizations, and home-health agencies in these markets face the most acute access gaps and pay the highest locum premiums to secure coverage. Rural clinician shortages persist and home-based care models continue growing.
Rural clinician shortages in geriatrics are structural. The combination of an aging population, limited fellowship pipeline, and growing home-based care demand creates persistent access gaps that locum APPs are uniquely positioned to fill.
A standard full-time geriatrics NP or PA manages a panel of 80 to 120 patients across skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and home health settings. The combination of complex medication management, cognitive assessment, and care coordination with family members makes geriatrics one of the most relationship-intensive APP specialties. The growing shift toward home-based primary care models is creating new practice structures that offer greater schedule flexibility.
Locum rates range from $75 to $110 per hour. The four scenarios below use representative rates from within that band.
To exceed $225,000: add facility leadership responsibilities, focus on underserved rural markets, and combine geriatrics with palliative or home-based care programs.
The highest-earning geriatrics APPs often combine clinical expertise with operational leadership and willingness to work in high-need markets.
A $95/hr locum rate versus a $64/hr W-2 equivalent is a transformative structural advantage. 1099 geriatrics APPs unlock business deductions across licensing, CME, travel, and equipment; higher retirement contributions through a SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k); the Qualified Business Income deduction of up to 20%; and S-corp structuring at higher income levels. Barton partners with Earned to help locum APPs navigate these decisions.
Barton coordinates your job search from start to finish!
We’ll schedule a phone consultation to discuss your interests, goals, and work history to find the right opportunities.
Your Barton rep will submit your information to the facility you want to take an assignment at and work on next steps.
Barton handles licensing, credentialing, and travel arrangements before you arrive so you’re ready on day one.
Most earn between $120,000 (AANP median NP) and $134,000 (BLS mean PA). Practice setting, scope of practice, and geographic market drive variation above the median.
W-2 employed geriatrics NPs and PAs average approximately $64 per hour based on BLS data. Locum tenens rates range from $75 to $110 per hour.
Hybrid models combining employed income with regular locum shifts can push total compensation above $162,000. Full-time locum at $110/hr working 20 shifts per month yields approximately $211,000 annually.
Rural and underserved markets with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies pay the highest locum premiums. The demographic demand driving geriatrics is effectively locked in for decades.
Send us a quick note and we'll point you in the right direction.
