RN Specialties and Salaries

How RN pay is set

RN base pay is anchored to local market rates and adjusted for shift, weekend, charge, and certification differentials. Procedural and critical-care environments add call pay; outpatient and school settings typically pay less than acute care.

RN specialties — median pay and range

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) — median $212,650 ($170k–$260k+). Highest-paid nursing role. DNP or MSN + CRNA certification.
• Nurse Practitioner (NP) — median $126,260 ($95k–$165k). Pay varies by specialty (psych and acute care top the list).
• Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) — median $120,880 ($95k–$155k). L&D and primary GYN. State scope variation.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) — median $115,000 ($90k–$150k). Expert practice + system-level quality work.
• Pain Management Nurse — median $110,000 ($85k–$140k). Often APRN-led; procedural and chronic pain.
• Informatics Nurse — median $102,000 ($80k–$135k). EHR optimization, clinical analytics.
• ICU / Critical Care RN — median $95,000 ($78k–$130k). CCRN-certified earns a premium.
• ER / Trauma RN — median $92,000 ($75k–$125k). CEN and TNCC certifications add value.
• OR / Perioperative RN — median $90,000 ($72k–$120k). Call pay and CNOR add to base.
• Cardiac Cath Lab RN — median $92,000 ($75k–$125k). Procedural and call pay premium.
• Oncology RN — median $88,000 ($72k–$115k). OCN certification and chemo/biotherapy add-on.
• Neonatal ICU (NICU) RN — median $90,000 ($72k–$120k). Level III/IV centers pay highest.
• L&D RN — median $87,000 ($72k–$115k). RNC-OB certification preferred.
• Psychiatric / Mental Health RN — median $83,000 ($68k–$110k). PMH-BC certification; high demand.
• Home Health RN — median $78,000 ($65k–$100k). OASIS expertise and case management.
• Travel RN — median $110,000 ($85k–$170k). Total comp with stipends; varies by contract.
• School Nurse — median $60,000 ($48k–$80k). Often 10-month contract.
• LPN / LVN — median $59,730 ($45k–$78k). Long-term care and home health top settings.

Stack pay with certifications

• CCRN (critical care)
• CEN (emergency)
• CNOR (perioperative)
• OCN (oncology)
• RNC-OB (inpatient OB)
• PMH-BC (psychiatric)
• CHPN (hospice & palliative)

Where RNs earn the most

• California, Hawaii, Oregon, Massachusetts, Alaska top the BLS list
• Magnet hospitals and academic medical centers
• Outpatient surgery centers and cath labs
• Travel contracts in high-need markets