Top paying nurse practitioner specialties
Ranked by national median salary. Ranges reflect the 25th–90th percentile band across BLS OEWS and specialty compensation surveys.
- Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP) — median $156,000 ($125k–$200k) · Highest-paid NP specialty on most surveys; huge unmet demand.
- Acute Care NP (AGACNP) — median $135,000 ($110k–$170k) · Hospital and ICU-based advanced practice.
- Cardiology NP — median $132,000 ($105k–$165k) · Procedural cardiology and heart failure clinics pay top of range.
- Emergency NP — median $130,000 ($105k–$165k) · ED and urgent care; ENP certification preferred.
- Neonatal NP (NNP) — median $128,000 ($105k–$160k) · Level III / IV NICU centers pay highest.
- Oncology NP — median $126,000 ($100k–$155k) · AOCNP certification adds a premium.
- Family NP (FNP) — median $120,000 ($95k–$150k) · Largest NP population; primary care base rate.
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGPCNP) — median $118,000 ($95k–$145k) · Primary care for adult and older adult populations.
- Pediatric NP (PNP) — median $115,000 ($92k–$145k) · Primary care and specialty peds tracks.
- Women's Health NP (WHNP) — median $114,000 ($92k–$140k) · OB/GYN, family planning, and women's primary care.