Updated October 2026 with BLS May 2025 wage data.
Nursing offers a ladder of careers, from licensed practical nurse to advanced practice roles paying more than $200,000. The biggest jumps in pay come with advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) roles that require a graduate degree. But you can also boost your earnings as an RN through your specialty, the setting you work in and where you live. Here are the top-paying options, using official Bureau of Labor Statistics data wherever it exists.
Highest-paying nursing jobs at a glance
| Rank | Job | Median pay (BLS) | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | $236,590 | Doctorate (DNP/DNAP), plus ICU experience |
| 2 | Nurse Practitioner in California (highest-paying state for NPs) | $168,520 | MSN or DNP |
| 3 | Registered Nurse in California (highest-paying state for RNs) | $140,270 | ADN or BSN |
| 4 | Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) | $134,040 | MSN or DNP |
| 5 | Nurse Practitioner (NP), national | $132,300 | MSN or DNP |
| 6 | RN in government (for example federal and VA) | $110,780 | ADN or BSN |
| 7 | Hospital RN, national | $100,220 | ADN or BSN |
| 8 | RN, all settings, national | $97,550 | ADN or BSN |
| 9 | RN in ambulatory care | $91,230 | ADN or BSN |
| 10 | LPN/LVN in government | $68,970 | One-year certificate |
1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): $236,590
CRNAs give anesthesia for surgery, childbirth and procedures, and are often the sole anesthesia providers in rural hospitals. This is the best-paid nursing role by far. You’ll need a BSN, at least a year of critical care experience (most applicants have two or more), and a doctoral nurse anesthesia program of about three years. Projected growth is 10% from 2025 to 2035. CRNA programs are expensive, so read our guide on graduate nursing loans after Grad PLUS.
2. Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM): $134,040
CNMs provide prenatal care, attend births and offer gynecological and primary care to women. They need an MSN or DNP in midwifery and national certification. Projected growth is 11%.
3. Nurse Practitioner (NP): $132,300
NPs diagnose, treat and prescribe, and in full-practice states they can run their own clinics. With 41% projected growth, it is one of the fastest-growing careers in the country. Psychiatric-mental health and acute care NPs are especially in demand. See NP salary by state.
4–7. High-paying RN roles (no graduate degree needed)
- Government nursing (for example VA, military civilian and public health roles): median $110,780, often with strong benefits and pensions.
- Location: RNs in California ($140,270), Hawaii ($136,320), Oregon ($129,010) and Washington ($124,200) earn far above the national median. See RN salary by state.
- Hospital nursing: median $100,220. High-acuity units (ICU, OR, cath lab, ER, labor and delivery) often add certification pay and differentials.
- Travel nursing: short contracts with tax-free housing and meal stipends. Pay depends heavily on demand, so compare offers carefully.
Other well-paid paths
- Nurse administrator or executive: nurse managers, directors and chief nursing officers earn well above staff RN pay.
- Clinical nurse specialist (CNS): an APRN role focused on improving care in a specialty.
- Nurse educator: faculty roles have been hit by graduate loan changes, but they are in high demand. Programs such as the Nurse Faculty Loan Program can help.
- Informatics nurse: combines clinical knowledge with electronic health records and data.
FAQ
What is the highest-paying nursing job? Certified registered nurse anesthetist, with a median of $236,590 a year.
What is the highest-paying nursing job without a master’s degree? Staff RN roles in high-paying states (California’s median is $140,270), government nursing, and travel nursing contracts.
Which nursing job is growing fastest? Nurse practitioner, with a projected 41% growth from 2025 to 2035.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (Registered Nurses; Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Practitioners; LPNs), May 2025 wages; BLS OEWS state data via Becker’s Hospital Review (2026).