1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Mean ~$214,000. DNP required for new entrants. Practices in ORs, L&D, and pain clinics.
Top Pay
Highest Paid Nursing Specialties
The highest-paid nursing specialties in the United States, with mean wages, the credential path, and where these roles practice.
2. Psychiatric Mental Health NP
Mean ~$144,000. Highest-paid NP subspecialty driven by national mental health demand.
3. Neonatal NP
Mean ~$140,000. NICU-focused acute care; concentrated in academic medical centers.
4. Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Mean ~$129,000. Prenatal, labor, postpartum, and primary GYN care.
5. Acute Care NP
Mean ~$135,000. ICU, step-down, and hospitalist NP roles.
6. Nursing Informatics Specialist
Mean ~$110,000–$130,000. EHR, analytics, and clinical IT roles in health systems.
7. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Mean ~$110,000. Advanced practice across populations with system-level focus.
8. Pain Management Nurse
Mean ~$105,000. Procedural and clinic-based pain practices, often APRN.
9. Travel RN (specialty contracts)
Effective ~$100,000–$150,000+ with stipends; ICU, ER, L&D, and cath lab pay the most.
10. Cardiac NP / Cath Lab RN
Mean ~$100,000+. High call but strong differentials and procedural pay.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which nursing specialty pays the most?
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are the highest-paid nursing role in the U.S., with a mean annual wage above $200,000.
How much do NPs make?
Nurse practitioners average around $129,000. Subspecialties like psychiatric NPs and acute-care NPs often earn $140,000–$170,000+.
Do you need a DNP to earn the top salaries?
Not always. Many CRNA programs now require a DNP, but several high-paying NP and CNS roles still accept an MSN. By 2025, most APRN entry programs have shifted toward the DNP.
Are pay rankings the same in every state?
No. Cost of living, demand, and union presence shift rankings. California, Hawaii, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Alaska consistently lead nominal pay; adjust for cost of living when comparing.