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The highest-paid nursing jobs often come with challenging, but fulfilling, work. If you’re considering becoming a nurse or are looking at your job options, you might find yourself looking at one of these jobs.
In this article, we’ll go over ten of the best and highest-paid nursing jobs, as well as the types of nursing degrees and their typical salary ranges.
Key Takeaways
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An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) certification with a master of science in nursing will open the door to many high-paying nursing jobs.
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There are a significant number of high-paying nursing jobs that only require a registered nurse (RN) certification with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
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Certified registered nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners have some of the highest salaries in the nursing industry.
The 10 highest-paid nursing jobs
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Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Average Yearly Salary: $195,600
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are some of the highest-paying master’s degree in nursing jobs because they have some of the most advanced education and skill levels of any nurse. CRNAs help administer medication that puts patients to sleep and keeps them asleep during surgeries.
They have to have a firm knowledge of these medications and how they interact with other medications and patient histories, which they typically gain from their master’s of science in nursing degrees and extensive clinical experiences.
Where certified registered nurse anesthetists work: Nurse anesthetists can work in hospitals, emergency rooms, psychiatric institutions, and even the military — anywhere surgeries are performed.
Those working in settings such as emergency rooms will typically have higher-stress schedules and jobs than those working in doctor’s offices or outpatient clinics might.
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Average Yearly Salary: $120,600
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are high-paid nurses who have more authority than most registered nurses do. This is because NPs earn their master’s or doctorate degrees in nursing and pass an NP certification exam that allows them to diagnose patients and prescribe medication — tasks RNs can’t do.
If you’re interested in working independently, getting a pay raise, or working at rural clinics that don’t have much access to healthcare, you might enjoy being an NP. Plus, there’s a huge demand for nurse practitioners: The occupation is expected to see a 40% increase in jobs from 2021-2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Where nurse practitioners work: Nurse practitioners can work in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, nursing homes, and schools. Many NPs also choose to do humanitarian work in settings such as public health departments, homeless shelters, and international communities.
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Average Yearly Salary: $120,000
Because intensive care unit (ICU) nurses are highly specialized in caring for patients with life-threatening medical conditions, they’re typically paid high nursing salaries.
There is a growing demand for these nurses — it’s expected these jobs will grow by 6% through 2031 — and if you love a fast-paced environment and ever-changing challenges, then you might find that this is the best profession for you. ICU nurses are registered nurses (RNs) with their bachelor’s degrees in nursing. They can also take on many different specialties, which often require certifications.
Where intensive care unit nurses work: Intensive care unit nurses work in hospitals or any other medical facility with an ICU. Within that, though, there are many different types of ICUs they can work in, including cardiac, neurotrauma, and pediatric ICUs.
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Average Yearly Salary: $118,500
Neonatal ICU nurses are high-earning nurses who work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), taking care of premature and sick infants.
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in nursing and the appropriate certificates to become a NICU nurse. You’ll also need to be able to handle a lot of stress and have plenty of empathy and compassion for your patients and their parents as they navigate difficult situations and decisions.
Where neonatal nurses work: Most neonatal nurses work in hospitals, but some do at-home follow-up care for babies and their families after they’re released from the hospital.
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Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Average Yearly Salary: $114,000
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are high-paid nurses who specialize in psychiatry or mental health. These NPs have earned their master’s or doctorate degrees in nursing, and they provide therapy and medications for patients suffering from mental health disorders. They can also work with patients struggling with substance abuse.
As NPs, PMHNPs have many of the same responsibilities and authorities as physicians do, and they can serve as specialists who doctors can refer their patients to.
Where psychiatric nurse practitioners work: Psychiatric nurse practitioners typically work in behavioral health or addictions clinics, psychiatric mental health facilities, hospitals, or their own private practices.
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Average Yearly Salary: $112,800
Midwifery might be the high-paying nursing job to take for those interested in working with pregnant women and their babies. certified nurse midwives (CNMs) assist with births and can serve as healthcare providers to women. They tend to focus on gynecological care, but they can provide primary care, prescribe medications, and can offer some counseling services.
CNMs are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), which means you’re going to need a master’s degree or higher as well as any necessary accreditations and state certifications.
Where certified nurse midwives work: Nurse midwives typically work in hospitals, birthing centers, clinics, private practices, and health departments.
Those who work in health departments may focus more on helping educate and support expectant or new mothers and referring them for additional medical care, while those in medical centers will also collaborate with doctors and nurses to provide care during the labor and delivery process.
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Average Yearly Salary: $112,000
Working as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is a great high-paying nursing option if you are passionate about leading other nurses and healthcare staff members. These professionals are advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), which means they have their master’s or doctorate degrees in nursing and can provide a significant amount of care to patients.
However, rather than focusing on providing direct care, CNSs often work in management roles and/or help create policies and procedures for nursing teams and departments. This allows them to have a direct impact on both nurses’ and patients’ wellness.
Where clinical nurse specialists work: Clinical nurse specialists typically work in hospitals, nursing homes, and private practices. Many also work in corporations, schools, or prisons.
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Pain Management Nurse
Average Yearly Salary: $110,400
Pain management nurses are tasked with helping patients manage chronic or acute pain, and they’re paid generously for their efforts and specialized knowledge base.
Pain management nurses do not typically need any degree beyond being registered nurses, but they do need experience in a role that includes pain management and a certification in the field in order to get a job in this specialty.
Where pain management nurses work: Pain management nurses often work in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and oncology clinics. They can also work in sports medicine, outpatient facilities, or private medical offices.
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Average Yearly Salary: $98,000
If you’re interested in getting a high-paying nursing job helping families live healthy lives, being a family nurse practitioner may be the answer. Family nurse practitioners are trained to work with both adults and children and focus on general preventative care and run-of-the-mill illness. In many situations, they work under a doctor and will often compare notes with the doctor, but they get to treat patients on their own.
As nurse practitioners, family nurse practitioners need their master’s or doctoral degrees before they can begin practicing.
Where family nurse practitioners work: Family nurse practitioners typically work in community health centers, health care systems, and private practices. Jobs in health centers usually involve tasks such as educating patients or performing physical examinations, while those in health care systems and private practices will focus more on treating illnesses and injuries.
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Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
Average Yearly Salary: $90,400
Gerontological nurse practitioners are high-paid nurses with advanced degrees, and they focus on working with an elderly population. This is a field that’s expected to boom as more and more people reach their 80s and 90s and even beyond.
According to the American Nurses Association, these nurse practitioners focus on the process of aging and the protection, promotion, restoration, and optimization of health and functions in older adults. If that sounds like something you’re called to do, you may find this job professionally and emotionally satisfying as well as financially rewarding.
Where gerontological nurse practitioners work: Gerontological nurse practitioners usually work in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice facilities.
Those in long-term care facilities will often help patients with their daily routines in addition to administering medications and monitoring their vitals, while those in hospitals often focus on treating acute health issues in addition to these responsibilities.
Types of nursing degrees
It’s clear that the more education you have in the nursing field, the better your ability to get one of the top highest-paying nursing jobs.
Nursing degrees come in all shapes and sizes: On one hand, a certified nursing assistant certificate can be earned as early as four to 12 weeks, while at the other end of the spectrum, a doctor of nursing practice degree is another two years of school on top of the four it took to earn your bachelor’s degree.
Here is a list of the basic degrees associated with nursing and their average starting salaries:
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Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – $27,000 – $39,000 annual salary
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Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) – $34,000 – $58,000 annual salary
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Registered Nurse (RN) with Associate Degree in Nursing – $49,000 – $75,000 annual salary
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Registered Nurse (RN) with Bachelor of Science in Nursing – $54,000 – $84,250 annual salary
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Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with Master of Science in Nursing – $82,000 – $110,000 annual salary
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Doctor of Nursing Practice or Ph.D. in Nursing – $104,500 – $125,500 annual salary
Remember that your salary may go up or down depending on where you live and what you choose to specialize in. You can also increase your pay level by obtaining additional degrees and certificates throughout your career.
Another big consideration in pay is the experience you have. A nurse fresh out of school is going to make less because they don’t have any experience yet. At the same time, someone who has been in the field for several years will earn more money because they’re theoretically more valuable to the patients and the medical facility.
Highest-paid nursing jobs FAQ
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Where are the highest-paid nursing jobs?
The highest-paid nursing jobs are in California. In California, registered nurses make an average of $133,340 a year and nurse practitioners make an average of $158,130, the highest of any state in both categories.
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What kind of nurses get paid the most?
Certified registered nurse anesthetists get paid the most. These professionals earn an average of $195,600 a year.
References
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Registered Nurses
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Nurse Practitioners
- High Paying Jobs
- Highest Paying Nursing Jobs
- Highest Paying Trade Jobs
- Part Time Jobs That Pay Well
- High Paying Entry Level Jobs
- Highest Paying Jobs For Women
- What Are C-Level Jobs?
- Best Jobs For College Students
- Skilled Trade Jobs In Demand
- High Paying Medical Jobs With Little Schooling
- Best Second Jobs
- Easy Jobs That Pay Well
- Outdoor Jobs That Pay Well
- Low Stress Jobs That Pay Well
- High Paying Jobs Nobody Wants
- Best Jobs For The Future
- Best Jobs For The Next 10 Years
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
