Best-Paid Nursing Specialties

Top-paying nursing roles

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) (APRN) — median $212,650, typical range $170k–$260k+.
• Nurse Practitioner (NP) (APRN) — median $126,260, typical range $95k–$165k.
• Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) (APRN) — median $120,880, typical range $95k–$155k.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) (APRN) — median $115,000, typical range $90k–$150k.
• Pain Management Nurse (RN/APRN) — median $110,000, typical range $85k–$140k.
• Informatics Nurse (RN/BSN) — median $102,000, typical range $80k–$135k.
• ICU / Critical Care RN (RN) — median $95,000, typical range $78k–$130k.
• ER / Trauma RN (RN) — median $92,000, typical range $75k–$125k.

What makes a specialty 'best-paid'

Base salary is only part of the picture. The best-paid roles combine a strong base with call pay, shift differentials, productivity bonuses, and procedural premiums — and they're often in settings with the steepest credentialing requirements.

Choosing for total comp, not headline pay

• Compare base + differentials + bonus, not just base
• Account for cost of living in your market
• Weigh benefits (loan repayment, CME, retirement match)
• Consider call burden and on-call weeks per year