The 20 Best Nursing Career Specialties According to Salary

The 20 Best Nursing Career Specialties According to Salary

If you’re interested in nursing but unsure about the best career path, this comprehensive guide outlines the top 20 nursing specialties with the highest average salaries. The healthcare industry is experiencing rapid growth, with a projected 13% job increase for healthcare occupations between 2021 and 2031, creating around 2 million new job opportunities.

Healthcare practitioners and technical roles, including registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), earn a median annual wage about $29,000 higher than the national average for all occupations. Certain nursing specialties yield even higher salaries, allowing nurses to focus on specific patient groups, enhance autonomy and income, expand skills, and pursue further education.

Top Nursing Specialties Based on Salary

Discover more about the top 20 nursing specialties with the best earning potential, as per August 2023 Payscale data. Learn how to embark on a career in one of these specialties.

Nursing Career Specialties Based on Salary: Top 20

1. Nurse Anesthetist
2. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
3. Nurse Midwife
4. Family Nurse Practitioner
5. Clinical Nurse Specialist
6. Informatics Nurse
7. Nurse Educator
8. Nurse Researcher
9. Oncology Nurse
10. Travel Nurse
11. Trauma Nurse
12. Dialysis Nurse
13. Infection Control/Prevention Nurse
14. Neonatal Nurse
15. Acute Care Nurse
16. Geriatric Nurse
17. Nurse Advocate
18. Public Health Nurse
19. Pediatric Nurse
20. School Nurse

1 | Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia and pain relief, monitor vital signs, and ensure patient stability during surgeries and recovery. They work with patients of all ages in scheduled or emergency procedures. Prior to surgery, they collect patient histories and provide information about anesthesia types.

– How to Become: This path requires a BSN degree, RN license, and an MSN degree with a focus on nurse anesthesiology. Specialized certification and state licensure are also necessary.
– Salary: $175,390 (August 2023)

2 | Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

APRNs in this field assess, diagnose, and treat patients with mental disorders, offering services for mood disorders, depression, addiction, and more. They provide medication, therapy, crisis intervention, and mental health evaluation.

– How to Become: MSN and valid RN license are required for APRN licensure. Multiple pathways lead to a graduate degree, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certification is vital.
– Salary: $117,430 (August 2023)

3 | Nurse Midwife

Specializing in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery, nurse midwives care for labor through postpartum. They provide assistance and general care for women’s health issues.

– How to Become: Different pathways lead to certification. Nurse midwives can pursue MSN programs or doctorates in nursing, then obtain the certified nurse midwife credential.
– Salary: $103,360 (August 2023)

4 | Family Nurse Practitioner

FNPs offer care from childhood to adulthood in clinical and family settings, focusing on preventive care. Over 65% of nurse practitioners hold FNP certification.

– How to Become: An MSN degree is the minimum requirement. Multiple pathways lead to an FNP career, and certification enhances prospects.
– Salary: $101,730 (August 2023)

Comparing Nurse Practitioner Degrees: MSN, DNP, and BSN

5 | Clinical Nurse Specialist

These APRNs need specialized master’s or doctorate degrees. They focus on areas like pediatrics, geriatrics, critical care, disease care, mental health, and pain management.

– How to Become: Most clinical nurses pursue an MSN after RN licensure. Certification is not mandatory, but many pursue it for career advancement.
– Salary: $98,160 (August 2023)

6 | Informatics Nurse

Informatics nurses manage healthcare data and communication, enhancing efficiency and patient care. They work in various settings, managing data integration among healthcare providers.

– How to Become: BSN degree, RN license, and MSN or graduate degrees in informatics lead to this career. Certification can enhance opportunities.
– Salary: $83,780 (August 2023)

7 | Nurse Educator

Registered nurses with advanced graduate training become nurse educators, teaching nursing students and providing continuing education and curriculum development.

– How to Become: BSN, RN license, and MSN are required. Nurse educators often pursue a DNP or Ph.D. Specialized certification can enhance careers.
– Salary: $82,120 (August 2023)

8 | Nurse Researcher

Specializing in scientific studies, nurse researchers analyze data and report findings to enhance healthcare. They focus on topics impacting nursing and healthcare.

– How to Become: A nursing diploma, associate, or bachelor’s degree, RN license, and graduate training lead to this field. Specialized certification is beneficial.
– Salary: $81,500* (August 2023)

9 | Oncology Nurse

Oncology nurses care for patients undergoing cancer treatment. They specialize in areas like pediatric cancer, geriatric cancer, and more.

– How to Become: RN license, associate or BSN degree, and additional training are necessary. Certification in oncology or related fields improves prospects.
– Salary: $81,160 (August 2023)

10 | Travel Nurse

Travel nurses work in various healthcare facilities on temporary assignments. They fill staffing gaps and often work for agencies.

– How to Become: RN license and associate or BSN degree are required. Certification in specialized fields can improve employment prospects.
– Salary: $80,870 (August 2023)

11 | Trauma Nurse

When operating within emergency rooms, critical care units, or as integral parts of emergency medical response teams, trauma nurses play a pivotal role in attending to patients facing critical, unstable, and life-threatening conditions. These registered nurses (RNs) possess specialized training enabling them to collaborate with physicians in stabilizing and treating patients who have experienced trauma. They manage wound care, administer emergency medications, oversee the administration of IV fluids or blood transfusions, operate life-saving equipment like defibrillators, and closely monitor vital signs.

How to Become: Trauma nurses typically initiate their careers by obtaining an associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Aspiring nurses should seek field experiences or internships in trauma-related areas during their nursing education. After accumulating two years of RN work experience, these nurses should pursue credentials as certified emergency nurses or other relevant trauma certifications through the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing.
Salary: $80,560 (August 2023)

12 | Dialysis Nurse

Dialysis pertains to the medical procedure of purifying the blood of patients afflicted by kidney-related disorders. These conditions hinder their kidneys from effectively filtering out unwanted waste and fluids from the bloodstream. Dialysis nurses operate the equipment responsible for cleansing a patient’s blood, assess patients’ vital signs before and after the dialysis process, and provide education regarding medications and post-treatment care.

How to Become: Dialysis nurses must hold a nursing diploma, associate, or bachelor’s degree in nursing and obtain an RN license. Dialysis nurses who attain a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree might advance to better-paying advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) positions. Acquiring certifications in nephrology, which focuses on kidney function, disease, and treatment, can also enhance career prospects. RNs can achieve the certified nephrology nurse or certified dialysis nurse credential from the Nephrology Nursing Certification Committee.
Salary: $80,240 (August 2023)

13 | Infection Control/Prevention Nurse

Infection control and prevention nurses identify, surveil, and manage infections, diseases, and viruses. Typically registered nurses, these professionals have filled a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic, as healthcare systems need specialized workers to focus on patient case reporting and widespread infection prevention. They work at hospitals, clinics, and community health centers.

How to Become: To pursue this specialty, candidates need to obtain the certification in infection prevention and control (CIC) from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology. The CIC credential requires an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing, at least two years of RN experience, and sufficient experience – about two years – working with infectious diseases.
Salary: $78,460 (August 2023)

14 | Neonatal Nurse

Neonatal nurses function in intensive care units that cater to infants at risk of complications and requiring specialized care. This includes premature newborns and infants born with cardiac or other birth defects, genetic conditions, or drug dependencies. Neonatal nurses typically provide care for these infants until their discharge from the hospital, but in some cases, they continue care beyond the initial newborn phase.

How to Become: The foundational requirements for a neonatal nursing career encompass a valid RN license and at least an associate degree, though more competitive positions may demand a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). All neonatal nurses must obtain the Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification. Many pursue additional certifications such as low risk neonatal nursing or neonatal intensive care nursing credentials.
Salary: $75,350 (August 2023)

15 | Acute Care Nurse

Acute care nurses deliver treatment to patients requiring immediate intervention for severe or life-threatening issues, such as heart attacks or sudden complications arising from chronic illnesses like diabetes. This versatile nursing specialization boasts 15 certifications in areas ranging from neonatal and pediatric acute care to adult cardiac and gerontology acute care.

How to Become: Possessing a valid RN license and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or doctoral degree leading to licensure as an acute care nurse practitioner unlocks lucrative career opportunities. Although certification requirements vary by state, acute care nurse practitioners must secure specialty certifications tailored to their practice area. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses provides certifications with diverse clinical practice, licensure, and degree prerequisites for both RNs and APRNs.
Salary: $74,590 (August 2023)

16 | Geriatric Nurse

With the aging of the baby boomer population, the demand for geriatric nurses has surged. These RNs undergo comprehensive training to comprehend and address the unique needs of elderly individuals. They collaborate closely with primary care physicians, social workers, families, and other caregivers to manage their patients’ healthcare issues while also educating them about conditions and treatment choices.

How to Become: An RN can become a geriatric nurse without necessarily pursuing an advanced graduate degree, although APRNs with advanced training in geriatric specialties at the master’s or doctoral level find enhanced employment prospects. APRNs holding licenses can acquire the APRN gerontological specialist – certified (GS-C) credential through the Gerontology Nursing Certification Commission.
Salary: $73,570 (August 2023)

17 | Nurse Advocate

Nurse advocates provide assessment, education, and representation for patients, bridging communication between patients and their physicians. They address patient concerns, consult with doctors to ensure quality and cost-effective healthcare, educate patients about their conditions and treatments, and act as intermediaries to express patient preferences and mediate conflicts with medical professionals.

How to Become: Nurse advocates embark on their journey by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and passing the NCLEX-RN exam for RN licensure. While working as RNs, aspiring nurse advocates should explore continuing education opportunities and roles that expose them to advocacy methods. Although nursing advocacy certifications aren’t currently available, organizations like the Patient Advocate Certification Board offer credentials for healthcare professionals operating in this realm.
Salary: $71,610 (August 2023)

18 | Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses collaborate with specific populations or communities, educating individuals about health and safety matters and facilitating access to healthcare. Instead of delivering individual patient care, they prioritize prevention. They identify health concerns, highlight safety issues within communities, develop and implement safety plans, and serve as healthcare advocates.

How to Become: Public health nurses need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to acquire an RN license and gain work experience in community or public health nursing. The only certification accessible to public health nurses, the certified public health credential, necessitates a bachelor’s degree, at least five years of public health experience, and successful completion of an exam administered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.
Salary: $69,660 (August 2023)

19 | Pediatric Nurse

This popular nursing specialization centers on addressing the healthcare requirements of children from birth to adolescence. Depending on their level of training, pediatric nurses provide primary and preventive healthcare, conduct physical exams, manage chronic and acute illnesses, perform diagnostic tests, and develop treatment plans for children in various settings. They also provide healthcare education to patients and their families.

How to Become: Pediatric nurses can initiate their careers with an RN license and certification. While many nurses enter the field with an associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) focusing on pediatrics with an MSN or Doctor of Nursing degree are highly sought after. The American Nurses Credential Center administers the pediatric nursing certification program. RNs may qualify for this national exam after completing two years of work experience with a minimum of 2,000 hours in pediatric nursing.
Salary: $62,070 (August 2023)

20 | School Nurse

School nurses fulfill a vital yet often overlooked role in elementary, middle, and high schools. Their responsibilities encompass providing treatment and first aid to sick or injured students, delivering acute care, collecting health data, conducting health screenings, and assisting students with chronic illnesses.

How to Become: School nurses require RN licensure to work in educational institutions. Although an associate degree can lead to this qualification, the National Association of School Nurses recommends aspiring school nurses pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) instead. Although specialized certification isn’t necessarily required for school nurses, they can attain credentials from the National Board for Certification of School Nurses to enhance their qualifications.
Salary: $51,530 (August 2023)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many types of nursing specialties are there?

Nursing encompasses 106 specialties, ranging from pediatrics and geriatrics to oncology and acute care. These specialties can also combine to create numerous subspecialties, such as pediatric oncology.

What is the highest-paid nursing specialty?

Nurse anesthetists hold the highest-paid nursing specialty. Their average annual salary amounts to $175,390, or $92.99 per hour, according to Payscale data from August 2023.

Which type of RN is most in demand?

All RNs experience greater demand compared to other occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 6% job growth rate for all RNs from 2021 to 2031, surpassing the 5% growth rate for all occupations. Specific specialties with high demand include neonatal nursing, surgical nursing, and critical care nursing.

What qualifications are necessary for nursing?

The minimum requirements involve a nursing diploma or an associate degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program, an RN license, and basic life support certification. Many employers now prefer or mandate RNs to possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.