Are you ready to find out which nursing jobs are bringing in the big bucks in 2023? Let's face it, as a nurse, you deserve to be rewarded for your hard work, compassion, and dedication to your patients. And what better way to reward yourself than by pursuing one of the top 10 highest paying nursing jobs out there? In this blog post, we're going to take a closer look at the most lucrative nursing jobs of 2023!
Interested in exploring nursing salaries by state? Be sure to check our Nurse Salary Explorer for location-based insights!
Salary information gathered from https://nurse.org.
Nursing Jobs with the Highest Pay
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | $195,610
- General Nurse Practitioner | $120,680
- ICU Nurse | $120,243
- Neonatal ICU Nurse | $118,586
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | $113,114
- Certified Nurse Midwife | $112,830
- Clinical Nurse Specialist | $112,267
- Pain Management Nurse | $110,420
- Registered Nurse First Assist | $101,890
- Nursing Administrator | $101,340
If you're interested in pursuing a career in nursing, or if you’re a nurse wondering where you take your career next, start by exploring these high-paying specialties and see which one is the right fit for you! Be sure to also check out our travel nurse jobs to find your next opportunity!
1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, or CRNAs, are highly skilled advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who work in collaboration with anesthesiologists, physicians, and surgeons to administer anesthesia and provide pain management services. They typically work in hospitals, clinics, and outpatient surgical centers.
Becoming a CRNA requires a master's or doctoral degree and successful completion of a National Certification Examination. RN work experience in an ICU is required for admission to these programs and applicants can set themselves up for success by achieving additional certifications, such as Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN).
This is a high-pressure job that requires extensive knowledge of anesthesia and an ability to work well under pressure. But the perks are significant: CRNAs enjoy a high degree of autonomy, excellent job security, and an average salary of $195,610.
2. General Nurse Practitioner
General Nurse Practitioners, also known as NPs, provide primary and specialty healthcare services to patients of all ages. They are responsible for diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and educating patients about their health. NPs can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
To become a General Nurse Practitioner, you will need to complete a master's or doctoral degree in nursing and pass a certification exam. One of the biggest perks of this job is the ability to work independently, which allows for more flexibility and autonomy. With an average salary of $120,680, General Nurse Practitioners are well-compensated for their skills and expertise.
3. ICU Nurse
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurses, or Critical Care Nurses, work in critical care settings and are responsible for monitoring and caring for patients who are seriously ill or injured. They work closely with an interdisciplinary team of physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide specialized care to high acuity, often unstable patients.
ICU Nurses need to have excellent critical thinking and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to work under pressure. The job can be demanding, both physically and emotionally, but it is also incredibly rewarding. The average annual salary for ICU Nurses is $120,243. You can find critical care jobs with Trusted by clicking here!
4. Neonatal ICU Nurse
Neonatal Intensive Care Nurses, or NICU Nurses, work in neonatal intensive care units, generally in the inpatient setting, and care for fragile newborns who require intensive medical attention. This includes premature infants, infants with birth defects, low birthweight infants who require surgery, and those who suffer from severe illness.
NICU nurses often receive advanced training to improve their skills in neonatal care. With an average annual salary of $118,586, Neonatal Intensive Care Nurses are well-compensated for their expertise and commitment to newborns.
5. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, also called psychiatric mental-health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), are advanced practice registered nurses who provide a range of holistic treatments to those with mental, emotional, and behavioral medical problems. This includes diagnosing and treating mental illnesses, prescribing medications, and providing psychotherapy to patients.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, and private practices. While some PMHNPs work together with psychiatrists, others can work independently, depending on their location in the country.
This is a challenging but rewarding area of nursing that requires extensive knowledge of mental health issues and prior experience working in mental health. On average, Psychiatric NP’s receive a salary of $113,114.
6. Certified Nurse Midwife
Certified Nurse Midwives, or CNMs, are trained to provide care and support for women during family planning, pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. In addition to general gynecological services, they provide prenatal care, assist with labor and delivery, and provide care to newborns.
This role is attractive to those interested in offering care to women with a holistic approach. Essential traits and skills for those in this position are compassion, a desire for education, and critical thinking.
To become a CNM, you will need to complete a master's or doctoral degree in nursing and pass a certification exam and generally need previous experience working in Obstetrics or Labor and Delivery.
The average annual salary for CNM’s is $112,267.
7. Clinical Nurse Specialist
Clinical Nurse Specialists, or CNSs, are registered nurses who have received specialized education and training in a particular area of healthcare, such as pediatrics, critical care, oncology, etc. They provide direct patient care, mentor and educate other nurses, and participate in the development of policies and procedures to improve patient outcomes.
Most nurses in this role are master’s prepared and have completed a certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Certification Corporation (AACN).
This role is very satisfying for those trying to work within their niche, as the specialization of CNS nurses can be a population, setting, disease, type of care, or problem. Essential traits or skills for CNS nurses are effective communication, passion for education, and a love of research to keep in touch with the current evidence-based trends.
The average salary for a CNS is $112,267
8. Pain Management Nurse
A Pain Management Nurse provides specialized care to patients who suffer from chronic pain due to injury, illness, or surgery. They work closely with physicians in hospitals, clinics, or pain management centers to develop pain management plans that may include medication, physical therapy, and/or other therapies.
This type of nursing requires specialized knowledge of pain management and an ability to provide compassionate care to patients. The average salary for a pain management nurse is 110,420.
9. Registered Nurse First Assist
A Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) is an advanced practice registered nurse who works closely with surgeons in the operating room and actively participates in the procedure at hand. RNFA's assist with surgical procedures, including preoperative assessments, intraoperative care, and postoperative follow-up. They work closely with the surgical team to ensure that patients receive the best possible care and generally work in hospitals, surgical centers, or private practices.
RNFAs receive an average salary of $101,890.
10. Nursing Administrator
Nursing Administrators wrap up our top ten highest paying nursing jobs! Nurse Administrators are nurse leaders at the forefront of developing strategies to meet the healthcare needs of today’s patient populations. They use their knowledge and experience to improve healthcare. These are registered nurses who hold leadership roles within a healthcare system- from unit manager to chief nursing officer.
While it is not required, nurse administrators often have a master's degree in Clinical Nurse Leadership (CNL) and pass either the Nurse Executive Board Certification Examination presented by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the Certified Nurse Manager and Leadership offered by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL).
Those who are in this role have the opportunity to create direct change by developing policies, hiring, and mentoring others. The traits or skills desired for those in this position are flexibility, effective communication, and comprehensive organization skills.
The average salary for a nurse administrator is $101,340.
So What Are You Waiting For?
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