10 Highest Paying Nursing Specialities in 2024

nurse wearing a surgical mask specializing in an operating room

Table of Contents

Regardless of why you became a nurse or how long you have been in the field, one thought is bound to be on your mind: Which are the highest-paying nursing jobs, and how can I land one? 

Rest assured because this ultimate guide to the highest-paying nurse specialties will cover what type of nurse makes the most money and the average nursing wages by specialty. Read on to discover which are the best nursing jobs.

Highest-Paid Nurses

nurse smiling
Nurses who make more money are often more content in their careers.

First of all, it should come as no surprise that the highest-paid nurses are those who have pursued both higher education and specialized certifications. Nurses with master’s or doctoral degrees in nursing can become licensed as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). APRNs follow one of four major pathways becoming certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), certified nurse specialists (CNSs), or nurse practitioners (NPs). Spoiler alert: All the highest-paid nursing jobs can be found among these four types of nurses.

Not only are APRNs the highest-paid nurses, but these nursing jobs are also expected to grow at a much higher rate than the average for all occupations. Overall, the employment of CRNAs, CNMs, and NPs is expected to grow by 40 percent between 2021 and 2031—constituting about 30,200 openings per year over the decade.

Now, hold on a minute; yes, APRNs are the highest-paid nurses, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. Nurse practitioners, in particular, can choose from many different specialties, so read on to find high-paying nursing jobs that fit your interests, preferences, and personality as a nurse. You must be anxious to discover which nurse makes the most money, so without further ado, here are the top ten highest-paid nursing specialties based on the most recent data from 2022:

1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) – $217,000

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are anesthesia professionals who safely administer over 50 million anesthetics to patients in the United States annually. They practice in every setting where anesthesia is delivered, including the following:

  • Traditional hospital operating rooms and obstetrical delivery rooms
  • Critical access hospitals
  • Ambulatory surgical centers
  • Ketamine clinics
  • Offices of plastic surgeons, dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, and pain management specialists
  • US military, Public Health Services, and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare facilities 

The role of CRNAs is especially important in the US military and in rural settings. CRNAs have absolute practice authority in every branch of the military and are the primary anesthesia care providers for US military personnel on the front lines, aircraft evacuation teams, and navy ships around the world. Furthermore, they represent more than 80 percent of the anesthesia providers in rural counties. Many rural hospitals rely on independently practicing CRNAs for anesthesia care, and half of US rural hospitals use a CRNA-only model for obstetric care. CRNAs also safely deliver pain management care, particularly where there are no available physicians.

According to Medscape’s 2022 APRN Compensation Report, CRNAs earn, on average, $217,000 annually, making this specialty the highest-paid nursing job. Furthermore, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of CRNAs is projected to grow by 12 percent between 2021 and 2031—constituting 5,300 new jobs for CRNAs.

2. Pediatric and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner – $144,461

Although they earn significantly less than CRNAs, many nurse practitioners made our list of the highest-paid nursing specialties—starting with pediatric and neonatal nurse practitioners. 

Before you get disappointed about earning so much less than a CRNA if your heart is set on being an NP, keep in mind that there are many more jobs available for NPs than for CRNAs. In fact, the employment of NPs is projected to grow by 46 percent between 2021 and 2031! That means there will be approximately 112,700 new jobs for NPs over this decade. 

Now, let’s learn about the highest-paid nurse practitioner specialty, which—according to Becker's Hospital Review—rakes in a whopping $144,461 annually.

Neonatal NPs provide advanced nursing care for low- and high-risk newborns, infants, and their families. They primarily practice in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), but they may work in all the following settings:

  • All levels of neonatal inpatient care
  • Transport
  • Acute and chronic care
  • Delivery rooms
  • Outpatient settings

Neonatal nurse practitioners are dually prepared in the pediatric and neonatal nurse practitioner specialties and are educated to provide both primary and acute care to infants. Learn more about becoming a neonatal NP here.

3. Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) – $137,280

Emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs) treat patients in emergency departments (EDs) or urgent care facilities, as well as critical access hospitals, trauma centers, and community EDs. They must be prepared to provide both primary and acute care because they treat patients with both life-threatening emergencies and minor health problems, such as health concerns related to chronic diseases or obstetric and gynecological problems. 

ENPs see a high number of patients per shift, which is why they must excel at prioritizing, multitasking, and teamwork. They also usually work in settings that provide care around the clock, so ENPs often have to work nights, weekends, and holidays and are often on call as well.

Emergency advanced practice nursing is a subspecialty for NPs. Therefore, NPs hoping to specialize in emergency nursing must first complete a specialty in one of the following areas:

  • Family/individual across the lifespan
  • Women’s health
  • Adult-gerontology acute or primary care
  • Neonatology
  • Pediatrics 
  • Psychiatric/mental health

Since ENPs must treat patients from all population groups, most ENPs first specialize as family nurse practitioners (FNPs). In fact, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) is collaborating with the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP) to develop the Emergency Nurse Practitioner specialty certification examination exclusively for FNPs who work in emergency care. 

Currently, about 5.8 percent of nurse practitioners work as ENPs in emergency departments or urgent care settings. 

4. Hospitalist Nurse Practitioner – $128,483

nurse helping patient
Nurse practitioners can work with clients of all ages in family practice.

The term “hospitalist” refers to physicians, nurse practitioners, or physician’s assistants with education in general medicine/internal medicine or family practice who care for patients on hospitals’ acute medical floors or who have limited to no outpatient responsibilities. In other words, when patients leave the hospital, their care returns to the outpatient primary care provider.

Hospitalists constitute the fastest-growing healthcare specialty in the United States. These specialists provide general primary care and treat chronic diseases holistically while patients are hospitalized. Although this specialty is generally associated with physicians, NPs are increasingly working in this area with comparable results. NPs are usually responsible for the direct care of a group of hospitalized patients and perform the following duties:

  • Performing physical examinations and clinical evaluations
  • Managing clinical care
  • Performing procedures
  • Ordering and reviewing diagnostic studies
  • Ordering and monitoring medications
  • Participating in short-term and long-term planning of patient care with members of the inter-professional team
  • Coordinating the transition to outpatient care

Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners are best positioned for the hospitalist role. The AANPCB offers the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP) examination, which tests applicants’ clinical knowledge of adolescents, young adults, older adults, and elder adults.

5. Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) – $128,480

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) assess, diagnose and treat the mental health needs of patients. PMHNPs may provide therapy and prescribe medications for patients with mental health disorders or substance abuse problems. They may also provide physical and psychosocial assessments, emergency psychiatric care, and treatment effectiveness evaluations. 

Although the population that PMHNPs work with may vary based on the setting where they work, the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) certification (PMHNP-BC™) offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) guarantees that NPs are prepared to work with patients of all ages: children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. 

Jobs in inpatient settings usually have traditional working hours and night shifts when on-call.

6. Oncology and Hematology Nurse Practitioner – $128,264

Oncology and hematology advanced practitioners (APs), including nurse practitioners, collaborate with physicians to provide safe, cost-effective care. NPs working in oncology and hematology help improve workflow and efficiency, making it possible for physicians to care for more patients and prioritize those with complex healthcare needs. 

It is estimated that 66 percent of rural counties in the United States have no oncologist. Furthermore, the number of people diagnosed with cancer is expected to increase over the next decade. This collaboration between physicians and advanced practitioners helps meet the needs of patients with or at risk of developing cancer, particularly in these rural and underserved areas.

Nurses interested in oncology can complete graduate degrees in oncology or can complete programs in adult (primary or acute), family (across the lifespan), gerontology, or women’s health. After completing one of these programs, nurse practitioners can pursue the Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP®) certification offered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). 

7. Urgent Care Nurse Practitioner – $127,320

Nurse practitioners working in urgent care settings treat patients who need to see a medical practitioner urgently but are not sick or injured enough to go to a hospital emergency room. NPs in urgent care perform many of the same duties as physicians and many others as well, including the following:

  • Ordering and interpreting tests
  • Conducting complete physicals
  • Administering therapeutic procedures
  • Prescribing medications
  • Leading a team of registered nurses
  • Creating work schedules
  • Maintaining an inventory of medical supplies

Nurses interested in becoming urgent care NPs could become certified as family nurse practitioners (FNPs) since NPs in urgent care treat patients of all ages. This certification is available through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Alternatively, acute care certifications for NPs are available through the ANCC, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

8. General Surgery Nurse Practitioner – $127,133

Surgical NPs have extensive training and operating room (OR) experience. They are one of the surgeon’s most important assistants in the OR, performing vital tasks such as opening surgical sites, using laparoscopic or arthroscopic cameras, and closing wounds with sutures. Since surgeons are usually very busy, surgical NPs often visit patients and their family members before and after surgery, answering questions and offering advice.

Surgery NPs may work in many different settings, including the following:

  • Hospital operating rooms
  • Ambulatory surgical centers
  • VA medical centers
  • Academic medical centers
  • Private surgical suites

They also may specialize in different types of surgery, including life-saving trauma and aesthetic plastic surgery. 

To work in surgery as a nurse practitioner, nurses must complete a master’s degree in nursing and become certified either as FNPs or acute care NPs. NPs may also apply to a general surgery fellowship, such as the one offered by the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. Click here for more information. 

9. Critical Care Nurse Practitioner – $126,953

The integration of both nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants in intensive care units (ICUs) and other settings providing acute and emergency care has grown significantly. In fact, over 20,000 of the 270,000 nurse practitioners in the United States are certified adult or pediatric acute care NPs, of which 28 percent work in hospitals and 12 percent work in critical care. 

Acute care NPs can also pursue fellowship programs such as the one offered by Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons. Click here for more information. 

10. Internal Medicine Nurse Practitioner – $126,239

nurse burn out
Surgical nurses earn high hourly wages and annual salaries.

Nurse practitioners working in internal medicine departments provide comprehensive, continuous, and personalized care to patients under the supervision of a physician. They also educate patients and family members and may participate in teaching activities for students, residents, and fellows. Specific duties of an internal medicine NP may include the following: 

  • Performing history and physical assessments for patients
  • Ordering and interpreting diagnostic and therapeutic tests
  • Prescribing appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments
  • Monitoring the effectiveness of interventions
  • Maintaining accurate medical records  
  • Collaborating with other providers and members of the healthcare team
  • Facilitating staff, patient, and family decision-making based on the latest evidence
  • Participating in research and development projects

Nurses interested in working in internal medicine should specialize as acute care nurse practitioners. Additionally, acute care NPs can apply to internal medicine fellowships, such as the Marshall Health Internal Medicine Nurse Practitioner Fellowship, which provides the opportunity for enrichment in general internal medicine and many subspecialties. Click here for more information.

Other Top-Paying Nursing Specialties

Although the previously mentioned nursing specialties are at the very top of the nurse income ladder, the following specialties are not too far behind:

  • Pediatrics – general: $125,924
  • Obstetrics/gynecology – general: $123,594
  • Neurological surgery: $122,343
  • Cardiology – general: $121,984
  • Endocrinology and metabolism: $121,721
  • Family medicine: $120,682
  • Orthopedic surgery – general: $120,669
  • Nurse midwife: $120,000
  • Pulmonology – general: $119,790
  • Nurse practitioner – general: $118,000
  • Neurology: $117,813
  • Gastroenterology: $116,329
  • Urology: $115,812
  • Clinical nurse specialist: $114,000

How Else Can I Increase My Income as a Nurse?

This ultimate guide to the highest-paid nursing specialties proves that pursuing higher education and nursing certifications is the best way to secure the highest-paid nursing jobs. That said, we don’t want nurses without master’s or doctoral degrees in nursing to feel discouraged! Regardless of your level of education, there are many ways to increase your income as a nurse.

One of those ways—and our personal favorite—is picking up per diem or PRN nursing shifts. While the demand for contract labor has decreased since the height of the pandemic, it is still triple pre-pandemic levels. In other words, per diem nursing is here to stay. 

Here are some ways per diem nursing can increase your income as a nurse:

  • Simply and most importantly, per diem hourly rates tend to be higher than staff nurse rates. Therefore, you can pick up extra shifts to supplement your income or even work per diem full time to increase your earnings.
  • Per diem work is available for nurses at all levels of education: certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical or vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs), registered nurses (RNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
  • Per diem nursing can help you obtain experience in different settings, which, in turn, can qualify you for nursing certifications and higher pay.
  • You can pick up PRN shifts as a CNA during nursing school, helping you reduce or avoid student debt altogether.
  • PRN nursing is a more convenient—and often just as lucrative—alternative to travel nursing because PRN nurses can live at home and pick up nursing shifts near them, thereby avoiding travel and housing costs.

Final Thoughts on the Best Nursing Jobs

Although the income of a CRNA is tempting, this specialty is not for everyone. Ultimately, each nurse has to reflect on their own interests, strengths, and other personal factors to help them decide which nursing specialty is ideal for them. 

We don’t want to downplay the importance of high nursing pay, but we want nurses to find fulfillment in their jobs—and we want to highlight that there are many ways to increase your income as a nurse. Aside from choosing a high-paying nursing specialty, learn more about the diverse factors that can contribute to higher income for nurses in our ultimate guide to nurse salary.

Blog published on:
January 8, 2024

Laila is a contributing copywriter and editor at Nursa who specializes in writing compelling long-form content about nursing finances, per diem job locations, areas of specialization, guides, and resources that help nurses navigate their career paths.

Related Blog Posts

See All Blogs
GO BEYOND A SINGLE JOB

Choose Multiple PRN Shifts on Your Schedule

Nursa isn't just about finding a job; it's about crafting your ideal work schedule by selecting shifts. Once you create a Nursa profile, you will experience the convenience of scheduling shifts in real-time.

Registered Nurse RN - Skilled Nursing $109.7 per hour
RN
Date
March 31, 2024
Hourly
$
110
Est. Total
$
1371
View Shift
13:00 - 01:30
Prestige at McMinnville
Registered Nurse RN - Home Health $56.55 per hour
RN
Date
March 31, 2024
Hourly
$
57
Est. Total
$
1356
View Shift
12:00 - 11:59
Legacy Home Health, American Fork, UT
Registered Nurse RN - Long Term Care Memory Care Skilled Nursing $109.7 per hour
RN
Date
March 31, 2024
Hourly
$
110
Est. Total
$
1316
View Shift
13:00 - 01:00
Prestige at Molalla Manor Care Center

See More Jobs and Apply Now

Explore and find where you would like to work

See All Jobs

Pick Up a Job Today

Find per diem PRN job opportunities in your area. High paying CNA, LPN and RN and many more are now available now.

Find PRN Jobs

Post Your Jobs Today

Facilities who use Nursa fill 3 times as many open per diem shifts, on average, compared to trying to fill the shifts themselves.

Post Jobs
Nursa is no 1 mobile app for clinicians

Download the App Now

App store Button
Google Play button