What Are the Highest Paying Nursing Jobs
Originally Published 12/22/2014. Updated on 12/18/2025 by CCU.
If you're wondering what the highest-paying nursing jobs are, you're not alone. Nurses find joy in helping others. It's why they do what they do. But not all nursing specialties are created equal. Finding the right career path among the different nursing fields can make a big difference in your income potential and nursing career.
So, which field in nursing is the highest paid? Which nurse gets the highest pay? How can you make $100,000 a year or more as a nurse? And what nursing careers pay the best average salary? This guide covers the top ten highest-paying nursing jobs, their average salaries, and what it takes to get there. From certified registered nurse anesthetist to nurse practitioner, these are the highest-paying nursing careers available today.
1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Certified registered nurse anesthetists are among the highest-paying nursing jobs in the country. In this specialty, you administer anesthesia in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, and physicians' offices. These advanced practice nurses are also considered pain management nurses who work in pain management centers and other medical facilities.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for nurse anesthetists in May 2024 was $223,210. This makes them the highest-paid nursing specialty. (Source: BLS)
To become a certified registered nurse anesthetist, you need:
- A bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN)
- At least two years of critical care experience
- A doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia (required for new CRNAs as of 2025)
- Pass the National Certification Examination from the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists
- State licensure as a certified registered nurse anesthetist CRNA
The job outlook for certified registered nurse anesthetists is strong, with 35% growth projected through 2034. That's much faster than average for all occupations, making this one of the highest-paying nursing jobs with an excellent job outlook.
2. Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners provide direct patient care and are increasingly serving as primary care providers, especially in underserved areas. This is one of the most popular and highest-paying nursing jobs because it offers both good pay and the chance to make a real difference in patient care. The average salary for nurse practitioners makes this an attractive career option.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners earn a median annual salary of $132,050, with average wages even higher in some locations. (Source: BLS)
A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who needs a master's degree or higher. Many nurse practitioners are now earning doctoral degrees to advance their careers and increase their average annual salary. Common types include the family nurse practitioner, adult gerontology nurse practitioner, and general nurse practitioner.
Here are the steps to become a nurse practitioner:
- Become a registered nurse and earn your BSN.
- Gain experience working in a hospital or other medical facilities.
- Earn your Nurse Practitioner degree.
- Pass your advanced practice nursing licensure exam.
Nurse practitioners can prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, and treat patients in physicians' offices, outpatient clinics, hospitals, urgent care clinics, and private practices. The job outlook for nurse practitioners is excellent, with strong demand across all healthcare settings.
3. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Also called psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, these advanced practice nurses specialize in mental health care. Psychiatric nurse practitioners work with patients suffering from psychiatric disorders in hospitals, mental health units, outpatient clinics, drug counseling centers, and private practice clinics.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners earn an average annual salary of around $132,050, with some earning even more based on location and experience. The average salary for psychiatric nurse practitioners in high-demand areas can exceed $150,000. (Source: BLS)
Psychiatric nurse practitioners can prescribe medications and provide therapy for conditions ranging from anxiety and depression to substance abuse and personality disorders. With mental health needs growing across the country, this is one of the fastest-growing, highest-paying nursing specialties. The job outlook for psychiatric nurse practitioners is excellent.
You can expect to work in academia, community medical centers, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, correctional facilities, drug dependency clinics, domestic violence shelters, and hospitals. The average salary for a psychiatric nurse practitioner varies by setting, with private practices often paying more.
4. Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
Certified nurse midwives focus on women's health and reproductive care. As a certified nurse-midwife, you can expect to assist in births in hospitals, clinics, birthing centers, and home settings. Nurse midwives also provide care for newborn babies and offer patient care and education in women's and reproductive health.
Advanced education as a certified nurse-midwife leads to an average annual salary of around $120,000. Top earners among certified nurse midwives make significantly more. (Source: BLS)
Becoming an accredited nurse-midwife follows a similar path to other advanced practice registered nurses. The certified nurse midwife role requires:
- Earn your BSN degree.
- Gain experience as a registered nurse.
- Complete an accredited nurse midwifery program.
- Pass the national certification examination.
As a CNM, you need to be flexible since you'll be on call to respond to patients who are about to give birth. Certified nurse midwives work in physicians' offices, hospitals, birthing centers, and private practices. The job outlook for certified nurse midwives and other advanced practice nurses is strong.
5. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Clinical nurse specialists develop quality-of-care standards and work to meet them. Often, clinical nurse specialists have highly specific expertise in areas like cardiac care, oncology, or geriatrics. This makes advanced education and management skills important for success.
The clinical nurse specialist salary ranges up to $102,000 or more per year. Salary varies based on location, specialty, and experience. (Source: BLS)
Clinical nurse specialists have multiple duties, including providing clinical direction to nursing staff in patient care programs. As a clinical nurse specialist, you may be responsible for coordinating staff performance and making sure your department meets its goals.
Becoming a clinical nurse specialist typically requires:
- Earn a graduate degree.
- Earn five years of nursing experience.
- Serve 1-3 years in a supervisory position.
- Achieve national certification in your specialty area.
Clinical nurse specialists work in hospitals, nursing care facilities, rehabilitation centers, outpatient care centers, and other healthcare settings.
6. Nurse Manager and Nursing Administrator
If you want to lead a nursing team, becoming a nurse manager or nursing administrator can be a rewarding path. These nurse managers oversee nursing staff, manage budgets, and ensure quality patient care across their departments. Some advance to become health services managers overseeing entire facilities.
Nurse managers and nursing administrators typically earn an average salary of $90,000 to $120,000 per year, with higher salaries for those in larger facilities or in health services manager positions. (Source: BLS)
This role combines clinical expertise with leadership and business skills. You'll be responsible for hiring, training, and evaluating nursing staff while making sure your team delivers excellent patient care.
7. Neonatal Nurse and NICU Nurse
Working with premature babies or newborns who need critical care is a growing field. For NICU nurses with specialized training and the ability to work in a neonatal intensive care unit, this specialty offers both emotional rewards and good pay. Neonatal nurses and NICU nurses are in high demand.
NICU nurses can earn an average salary upwards of $80,000 a year. Neonatal nurse practitioners who work in the neonatal intensive care unit can make over $110,000 annually. (Source: BLS)
Neonatal nurses work closely with pediatricians and physicians to care for newborn babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. As a NICU nurse, you monitor vital signs, order diagnostic tests, and interpret initial results. NICU nurses also help new mothers learn how to care for their newborns.
NICU nurses and neonatal nurses find work in children's hospitals, major medical centers, and community hospitals with neonatal intensive care units. The job outlook for NICU nurses is excellent.
8. Pain Management Nurse
Pain management nurses specialize in helping patients manage both acute and chronic pain. They work in pain management centers, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient clinics. This specialty requires strong assessment skills and knowledge of various treatment approaches.
Pain management nurses typically earn an average salary between $75,000 and $100,000 per year, depending on education and experience. (Source: BLS)
These advanced practice nurses and medical professionals work as part of a healthcare team to develop and implement pain management plans. They educate patients about their treatment options and help them cope with ongoing pain conditions. This is one of the highest-paying nursing specialties for those interested in pain management.
9. Nurse Researcher
A great specialty if you like writing and pursuing knowledge, nurse researchers work in universities, medical labs, non-profits, and other healthcare organizations. This field is perfect for nurses who want to improve nursing practice through research and evidence-based care.
Nurse researchers can expect an average annual salary of $95,000 or more, depending on their setting and level of education. The average salary increases significantly with doctoral education. (Source: BLS)
Nurse researchers typically don't start their careers in this field. Most need to get an advanced degree after gaining experience as a registered nurse. If you're looking to become a nurse scientist, you'll need to work toward a doctoral degree.
As a nurse researcher, you can:
- Deliver health care services more effectively.
- Improve the quality of life for patients with chronic illnesses.
- Encourage patients to make healthy lifestyle choices.
- Improve patient safety and prevent injury.
- Contribute to nursing education as a nurse educator.
10. Informatics Nurse
Informatics nurses bridge the gap between nursing practice and healthcare technology. These specialists help medical facilities use data to improve patient care and outcomes. As healthcare becomes increasingly technology-driven, nursing informatics is a growing field.
Informatics nurses typically earn an average salary between $80,000 and $100,000 per year, making this one of the highest-paying nursing specialties outside of direct patient care. (Source: BLS)
This role requires both clinical nursing experience and technology skills. Informatics nurses work with electronic health records, analyze patient data, and help implement new healthcare technology systems.
How to Make $100,000 or More as a Nurse
Many of the highest-paying nursing jobs require advanced education beyond a bachelor's degree. If you want to earn a higher average salary as a registered nurse, here's how to boost your nursing salary and reach the highest-paying nursing careers:
- Pursue advanced certifications: Specialized certifications show employers you have the expertise they need and can lead to higher average salaries.
- Earn your doctoral degree: A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepares you for the highest-paying advanced practice roles and leadership positions.
- Gain critical care experience: Many of the highest-paying nursing specialties require experience in an intensive care unit or other critical care settings.
- Consider high-demand specialties: Certified registered nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, and psychiatric nurse practitioners are among the highest-paying nursing careers with excellent job outlooks.
- Look at location: Some states and cities pay significantly higher nursing salaries and average salaries than others.
The job outlook for advanced practice registered nurses is excellent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 35% growth for nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists through 2034. That means plenty of job opportunities for qualified registered nurses who advance their education.
Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career
The opportunities for registered nurses are endless if you're passionate about becoming a healthcare professional. Whether you want to become a nurse practitioner, certified registered nurse anesthetist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or nurse educator, advancing your education is the key to reaching the highest-paying nursing jobs.
At Colorado Christian University, you can earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in a flexible online program designed for working registered nurses. CCU's nursing programs integrate faith and learning, preparing you to serve patients with both clinical excellence and compassion.
If you're ready to advance your nursing career, increase your average salary, and pursue the highest-paying nursing careers, CCU can help you get there. Learn more about CCU's nursing programs and take the next step toward your highest-paying nursing career today.
*Salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024. Individual salaries vary based on location, experience, education, and employer.