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10 Highest Paying Nursing Jobs in USA 2025

Ronnie
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Nursing is one of the most rewarding and in-demand professions in the United States, with competitive salaries across a wide range of specialties. Among the highest-paying nursing jobs in US healthcare, certain roles stand out for their earning potential, making it important to understand which paths offer the best financial and professional rewards.

Whether you’re just entering the field or considering a more advanced role, knowing which nursing paths offer the best pay can help guide your career decisions.

In this article, we explore the highest-paying nursing jobs in the U.S., including their average salaries, key responsibilities, and required qualifications.

1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

Average Salary: $203,090/year

CRNAs are among the top earners in the nursing profession and consistently rank among the highest-paying nursing jobs in US healthcare. They administer anesthesia during surgical, diagnostic, and obstetric procedures, often working alongside anesthesiologists, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals.

Requirements:

  • Master’s or Doctoral degree from an accredited nurse anesthesia program
  • National Certification (NBCRNA)
  • Registered Nurse (RN) license

Why It Pays Well

Anesthesia is a critical part of medical care, and mistakes can be life-threatening. Because of the high level of responsibility and skill required, CRNAs are among the highest-paid nurses in the U.S.

How to Become One

To become a Nurse Practitioner, you need a BSN and must be a licensed RN. From there, you’ll pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a nurse practitioner specialization. After completing the program, you’ll need to obtain national board certification in your specialty area (e.g., family, adult, pediatric).

Work Settings: Hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, and pain clinics.

2. Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Average Salary: $128,490/year

Nurse Practitioners deliver primary and specialty care, often serving as a patient’s first point of contact. As one of the highest-paying nursing jobs in US healthcare, they diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and focus on health promotion.

Requirements:

  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  • National certification in a specialty (e.g., FNP, AGNP, PNP)
  • RN license

Why it pays well

NPs are in high demand because they provide many of the same services as doctors at a lower cost to healthcare systems. Their ability to manage patient care from start to finish makes them a cost-effective and indispensable part of modern healthcare.

How to become one

To become a Nurse Practitioner, you need a BSN and must be a licensed RN. From there, you’ll pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a nurse practitioner specialization. After completing the program, you’ll need to obtain national board certification in your specialty area (e.g., family, adult, pediatric).

Work Settings: Hospitals, private practices, community clinics, urgent care centers.

3. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Average Salary: $139,976/year

PMHNPs provide mental health care, including diagnosing psychiatric disorders, prescribing medication, and developing treatment plans for patients of all ages. As one of the highest-paying nursing jobs in US mental health care, this role combines advanced clinical skills with a focus on emotional and behavioral well-being.

Requirements:

  • MSN or DNP with a PMHNP focus
  • National board certification
  • RN license

Why it pays well

CNMs are paid well because of their high level of clinical training and their ability to manage pregnancy and delivery safely and independently. They provide a cost-effective alternative to obstetricians, particularly for low-risk pregnancies, while still offering highly specialized care.

How to become one

To become a Certified Nurse Midwife, you must earn a BSN and become an RN. Then, you need to complete a graduate-level midwifery program, which typically leads to an MSN or DNP. After that, you must pass the national certification exam administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).

Work Settings: Behavioral health facilities, hospitals, outpatient mental health clinics

4. Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

Average Salary: $122,450/year

Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) specialize in women’s reproductive health, prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum support. As part of the highest paying nursing jobs in the US, women’s health services, they also perform annual exams and provide family planning care.

Requirements:

  • MSN or DNP from a nurse-midwifery program
  • National certification from AMCB
  • RN license

Why it pays well

CNMs are paid well because of their high level of clinical training and their ability to manage pregnancy and delivery safely and independently. They also provide a cost-effective alternative to obstetricians, particularly for low-risk pregnancies, while still offering highly specialized care.

How to become one

To become a Certified Nurse Midwife, you must earn a BSN and become an RN. Then, you need to complete a graduate-level midwifery program, which typically leads to an MSN or DNP. After that, you must pass the national certification exam administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).

Work Settings: Hospitals, birthing centers, OB/GYN practices

5. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

Average Salary: $117,670/year

Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are advanced practice nurses who focus on improving patient outcomes and optimizing nursing practices through research and clinical expertise. As one of the highest-paying nursing jobs in the US, clinical Nurses also mentor nursing staff and lead quality improvement initiatives.

Requirements:

  • MSN or DNP with a CNS focus
  • National certification (varies by specialty)
  • RN license

Why it pays well

CNSs are compensated well because they combine clinical expertise with leadership, research, and education. Their ability to elevate patient care across entire departments makes them incredibly valuable to hospitals and health systems.

How to become one

After earning a BSN and becoming an RN, you’ll need several years of experience in a specialty area. Then, you must complete an MSN or DNP with a focus on clinical nursing. National certification in your specialty is also typically required to practice as a CNS.

Work Settings: Hospitals, academic institutions, specialty clinics

6. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Average Salary: $126,400/year

Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) provide comprehensive care to individuals and families across the lifespan, from pediatrics to geriatrics. Recognized among the highest-paying nursing jobs in US primary care, their scope includes wellness exams, chronic disease management, and health education.

Requirements:

  • MSN or DNP
  • FNP certification
  • RN license

Why it pays well

FNPs are paid well because they provide ongoing care across generations. Their flexibility and ability to manage a wide range of conditions reduce the strain on doctors and improve patient access to care.

How to become one

The path to becoming an FNP begins with earning a BSN and becoming an RN. Then, you’ll need to pursue an MSN or DNP with a focus on family nursing. After graduation, you’ll take a national certification exam to become a licensed FNP.

Work Settings: Primary care clinics, family practices, community health centers

7. Nursing Administrator / Nurse Manager

Average Salary: $104,830/year

Nursing administrators oversee staff, manage budgets, enforce compliance, and lead healthcare operations. While not always involved in direct patient care, they play a vital role in system efficiency and quality improvement, and their leadership roles often place them among the highest-paying nursing jobs in US healthcare management.

Requirements:

  • BSN (minimum), MSN or MHA preferred
  • Management experience
  • RN license

Why it pays well

This role pays well because it combines clinical knowledge with executive-level management. Nurse Administrators are in charge of making high-level decisions that impact safety, efficiency, and profitability, all of which are crucial to healthcare institutions.

How to become one

Most Nurse Administrators begin with a BSN and RN licensure. Over time, they gain clinical experience and may pursue a graduate degree in nursing leadership, health administration, or business (such as an MSN or MBA). Leadership skills and familiarity with healthcare systems are essential.

Work Settings: Hospitals, nursing homes, health systems, public health organizations

8. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

Average Salary: $121,659/year

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs) provide specialized care to infants, children, and adolescents. As one of the highest-paying nursing jobs in the US, pediatric care they diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, perform well-child exams, and educate families about health.

Requirements:

  • MSN or DNP with a pediatric focus
  • National certification
  • RN license

Why it pays well

This role pays well due to the complexity of pediatric care and the specialized knowledge required to treat young patients. Parents place a high level of trust in PNPs, and their ability to support long-term health outcomes for children makes them highly valued.

How to become one

To become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), you must earn a BSN, become a licensed RN, and then complete an MSN or DNP program with a focus on pediatric nursing. After completing your education, you must pass a national certification exam to practice as a PNP.

Work Settings: Children’s hospitals, pediatric clinics, schools

9. Community Health Nurse / Public Health Nurse

Average Salary: $82,400/year

Community health nurses focus on population-level health by promoting wellness, preventing disease, and educating underserved communities. While not always clinical, their impact and expanding roles in public health place them among the emerging highest-paying nursing jobs in US community-based care.

Requirements:

  • BSN (preferred)
  • Public health training
  • RN license

Why it pays well

Although this role doesn’t pay as much as some others, it still earns a strong salary because of its wide-reaching impact. Preventative care and public health services save money for the healthcare system, and nurses who lead these efforts are crucial to long-term population health.

How to become one

To become a Community Health Nurse, you typically need a BSN and an RN license. Some roles may also require additional training or certification in public health nursing, depending on the employer or state.

Work Settings: Public health departments, non-profits, schools, community clinics

10. Urgent Care Nurse Practitioner

Average Salary: $121,000/year

These Nurse Practitioners (NPs) treat non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses in walk-in clinics and urgent care centers. Their flexible schedules and broad skillset make them key to addressing after-hours healthcare needs, and they are increasingly recognized among the highest-paying nursing jobs in the US urgent care settings.

Requirements:

  • MSN or DNP
  • NP certification
  • RN license

Why it pays well

This role pays well due to the unpredictable hours, high patient volume, and wide range of cases handled. Urgent care NPs must be fast-thinking and highly skilled across many areas of medicine.

How to become one

To become an Urgent Care NP, you must first earn a BSN and become an RN. After gaining clinical experience, you’ll complete a graduate program, typically an MSN or DNP, with a nurse practitioner focus. Once certified, you’ll be able to practice in urgent care or walk-in clinics.

Work Settings: Urgent care centers, retail clinics, outpatient facilities

Which Nursing Job Is Most in Demand in the U.S.?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses (RNs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are among the most in-demand healthcare professionals. Demand is especially high for:

  • FNPs in rural and underserved areas
  • PMHNPs due to the mental health crisis
  • CRNAs in surgical and emergency settings

The U.S. healthcare system continues to face a nurse shortage, creating vast opportunities for growth, relocation, and specialization.

Conclusion

Whether you’re starting as an RN or planning to specialize as a CRNA or FNP, the U.S. offers excellent career prospects and high-paying opportunities for nurses. By aligning your career path with demand and furthering your education, you can maximize both your earnings and your impact in healthcare.

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