Highest Paying Nursing Jobs
The highest paid nurses are dedicated caregivers with specialized knowledge and a commitment to patients. Those who sit at the top of the salary ladder meet crucial needs within the medical field, lead others, and influence care on a structural level.
In this article, we’ve listed the most lucrative types of nursing jobs, their responsibilities, and reasons why these positions are appealing to nursing professionals.
Highest Paying Jobs for Nurses
All salary data, unless otherwise stated, is from PayScale.com. Career outlooks are referenced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
1. General Nurse Practitioner
Salary: $92,674
In many ways, nurse practitioners function like licensed physicians. They perform many of the same duties, such as assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients. General nurse practitioners work as part of a team in a variety of clinical settings like hospitals, clinics, and private medical practices. Their responsibilities vary depending on where they work, but can include:
- Examining patients and determining diagnoses
- Developing treatment plans that consider multiple contributing factors
- Providing whole-patient wellness plans that may include nutrition, physical activity, and changes in daily habits
- Referring patients to specialists as necessary
- Prescribing medication and determining the appropriate dosage
Featured Online Nursing Schools
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- LocationMishawaka, IN
- Accreditation(s)HLC
- Religious AffiliationChristian
- Cost Per Credit–
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Founded in 1947, Bethel University is a Christian community of learners dedicated to building lives of commitment for leadership in the Church and the world. It offers a variety of affordable online programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels that combine rigorous career preparation with spiritual growth. Combining practical knowledge with a biblical foundation, Bethel University seeks to challenge minds, engage hearts, and holistically equip students for lifelong service.
View Website for Bethel University Request Info -
- LocationCampbellsville, KY
- Accreditation(s)SACSCOC
- Religious AffiliationChristian
- Cost Per Credit–
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Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is a comprehensive, Christian institution that offers non-credit technical programs, along with certificates, associates, undergraduate and graduate programs. The university is dedicated to academic excellence solidly grounded in the liberal arts that fosters personal growth, integrity and professional preparation within a caring environment.
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- LocationPensacola, FL
- Accreditation(s)SACSCOC
- Religious Affiliation–
- Cost Per Credit–
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A forward-thinking and widely recognized higher education institution, the University of West Florida is committed to creating the next generation of big thinkers who contribute to the needs of professions and society. The school prepares students for success by offering collaborative, innovative, and creative learning experiences. With more than 50 years of being a leader in education, UWF provides numerous benefits for online students and boasts many accreditations and rankings. It offers several online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in nursing, health sciences, education, and more.
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Like doctors, nurse practitioners can specialize in an area of care, which is usually through a specific master’s program and subsequent licensing. Beyond salary, many people are drawn to the role of nurse practitioner because the role allows for long-term relationships with patients. In medical practices, the physician often spends brief periods focused primarily on diagnosis, whereas a nurse practitioner remains involved through wellness visits and follow-ups, making sure that the patients’ needs are met.
2. Certified Nurse Midwife
Salary: $92,092
Certified nurse midwives work as part of an obstetrics and gynecology team. Responsibilities of nurse midwives include:
- Assessing the fertility of patients
- Connecting patients with family planning services
- Providing prenatal care to expectant mothers
- Evaluating development of the fetus
- Assisting in the delivery
- Caring for newborns in the first month of life
Because of the extensive and varied care that occurs in this type of healthcare, midwives are typically required to have a master’s degree.
Many nurses choose to become certified midwives because of the capacity to develop relationships with patients and promote a meaningful level of health. Caring for mothers and their newborns offers midwives the opportunity to promote patient self determination and active involvement in care, an experience that many find professionally rewarding.
3. Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Salary: $101,564
Advanced practice psychiatric nurse practitioners work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, residential care facilities, and even patients’ homes. Sometimes, they may also work with inmates in correctional facilities. Entering this role requires extensive education and at least a master’s degree. Responsibilities include:
- Evaluating the mental health needs of patients and diagnosing mental health disorders
- Prescribing medications as needed
- Facilitating or coordinating group or individual therapy sessions
- Helping patients work through challenges associated with mental illness
- Managing patients’ long-term care
These nurse practitioners may work with a variety of patients, such as children, adults, and the elderly. Though the salary is substantial, nurses may be drawn to this role because of the ability to make a direct impact on mental health. Psychiatric nurse practitioners help people recover from or successfully manage their mental health issues, allowing them to improve the quality of their lives.
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4. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Salary: $143,970
Certified registered nurse anesthetists are currently the highest paying nursing specialty available. CRNAs may work anywhere patients need anesthesia, such as hospitals, surgical clinics, private practices, and specialist offices. Responsibilities for CRNAs include:
- Evaluating patients and reviewing their medical histories to determine anesthetic needs
- Collaborating with a care team
- Administering anesthesia to patients
- Monitoring patients before, during, and after a procedure
- Communicating the anesthesia process to patients and family members
To accomplish these sensitive and critical tasks, a CRNA must have a high level of technical expertise that is usually acquired through earning a master’s degree. Salary may be the biggest motivating factor for nurses to choose this role, but the option to contribute to research may be another draw. CRNAs can, and often do, participate in and lead funded research to advance their field. Many CRNAs have presented their research projects at national and international meetings. This type of research often leads to publication opportunities in books and peer-reviewed journals.
Job Title | Average Salary | Job Outlook |
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General Nurse Practitioner | $92,674 | 36% (all nurse practitioners) |
Certified Nurse Midwife | $92,092 | 21% |
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | $101,564 | 36% (all nurse practitioners) |
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | $143,970 | 16% |
The highest paying nursing careers have plenty to offer professionals other than salary. If you’re interested in nursing or considering the next steps in your professional journey, take time to look at the best nursing jobs and whether they might be right for you.
Online Nursing Degrees
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- LocationMishawaka, IN
- Accreditation(s)HLC, ACEN
- Religious AffiliationChristian
- Cost Per Credit$465
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The online online MSN from Bethel University prepares registered nurses for career advancement as nurse leaders in administration and education roles. It emphasizes evidence-based practice and includes core coursework in information systems, statistical literacy, advanced theory and more. Through a rigorous curriculum focused on effective communication and decision-making, this program promotes excellence in holistic, patient-centered care.
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- LocationBuffalo, NY
- Accreditation(s)MSCHE, CCNE
- Religious AffiliationCatholic
- Cost Per Credit$700
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D’Youville College’s online Master of Science – Nursing programs can prepare you for management roles and train you to become a change agent in your field. Combining a solid theoretical base with extensive practical training, you’ll gain the comprehensive learning experience you need to successfully advance to the next phase of your career. Choose between two concentrations: clinical focus and management and leadership.
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- LocationPensacola, FL
- Accreditation(s)SACSCOC, CCNE
- Religious Affiliation–
- Cost Per Credit$500
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Develop the skills needed to care for patients of all ages and meet the needs of tomorrow’s nurses with UWF’s online Master of Science in Nursing program. Learn from experienced educators as you learn how to implement research- and evidence-based practices. This program helps you prepare for national exams, an academic career, or doctoral studies. Choose from three specializations: family nurse practitioner, nursing education, and nurse executive.
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- LocationTeaneck, NJ
- Accreditation(s)MSCHE, CCNE
- Religious AffiliationPrivate
- Cost Per Credit$825
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The online Master of Science in Nursing program from Fairleigh Dickinson University offers two concentrations to suit your professional goals: family nurse practitioner and nursing education. Depending on your concentration, the program prepares you to diagnose and treat diverse patients or become an instructor in collegiate nursing programs. Through a state-of-the-art curriculum, you’ll acquire the training you need to effectively work with students, parents, and patients.
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- LocationBristol, TN
- Accreditation(s)SACSCOC, CCNE
- Religious AffiliationPresbyterian
- Cost Per Credit$605.00
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Advance your career through continued education with King University’s online Master of Science in Nursing program. Choose between two concentrations: nurse educator and administrator. Featuring a cohort model, the program allows you to earn your degree with the same group of peers. The program lets you collaborate on courses and projects and relay real-life work experiences into class discussions for a more interactive academic experience.
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- LocationNashua, NH
- Accreditation(s)NECHE, ACEN
- Religious AffiliationCatholic
- Cost Per Credit$630
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Move into a leadership or education role with the ACEN-accredited online Master of Science in Nursing program from Rivier University. Choose from three specializations: family nurse practitioner, nursing education, and health systems management. Prepare to enhance patient care, improve the health outcomes and quality of life for others, and influence the next generation of nurses. The flexible, online format of the programs can be designed around professional and personal schedules.
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- LocationSouth Euclid, OH
- Accreditation(s)HLC
- Religious AffiliationCatholic
- Cost Per Credit$590
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Take your nursing career to the next level with Notre Dame College’s online Master of Science in Nursing Education. Designed for working nurses who wish to become instructors in the field, the program emphasizes leadership, ethics, and advocacy. You will gain hands-on experience that can be immediately applied to the real world through a required 120-hour practicum.
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- LocationCampbellsville, KY
- Accreditation(s)SACSCOC
- Religious AffiliationChristian
- Cost Per Credit$559
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Discover how to contribute to excellence in healthcare and provide quality, evidence-based and holistic primary care to diverse communities throughout the lifespan with Campbellsville University’s Master of Science in Nursing degree program with a track in family nursing practice. The program teaches you how to be an effective, independent practitioner and use evidence-based practice to promote health and manage care for patients and families across the lifespan as you gain 660 clinical hours of experience.
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- LocationBuffalo, NY
- Accreditation(s)MSCHE, CCNE
- Religious AffiliationCatholic
- Cost Per Credit$500
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Designed for working nurses who seek to earn their bachelor’s degree, the online RN to BSN program at D’Youville College offers you a convenient and quality pathway toward elevating your career. The comprehensive curriculum teaches leadership skills within a service-oriented environment, and you will study topics such as vulnerable populations, evidence-based practice, and professional issues in nursing.
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- LocationBoston, MA
- Accreditation(s)NECHE, CCNE
- Religious AffiliationCatholic
- Cost Per Credit$350
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Designed for current registered nurses seeking to further their education and advance their careers, Emmanuel College’s online RN to BSN program offers the flexibility to balance your studies with the demanding schedule of a professional nurse. The program’s accelerated format and option to transfer up to 96 credits allow you to earn your degree in 16 months.
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- LocationJacksonville, IL
- Accreditation(s)HLC
- Religious Affiliation–
- Cost Per Credit$375
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Illinois College’s fully online RN to BSN program is designed to educate nurses for the needs of the future and covers a host of essential topics for advancing your education, such as bioethics, health policy, nursing research, and disease management. The accelerated program can be completed in as little as 12 months.
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- LocationBristol, TN
- Accreditation(s)SACSCOC, CCNE
- Religious AffiliationPresbyterian
- Cost Per Credit$330
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The online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program from King University provides an educational opportunity for current registered nurses who want to further their education and advance their career by earning a bachelor’s degree. The program is designed as a transformational learning experience leading to personal and professional skill development to meet the needs of registered nurses previously prepared at the ADN or diploma level.
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- LocationSouth Euclid, OH
- Accreditation(s)HLC
- Religious AffiliationCatholic
- Cost Per Credit$240
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Build your competency as a medical professional and earn the credential you need to advance in your career with the online RN to BSN program at Notre Dame College. Designed for working nurses, the program increases your capacity to improve patient outcomes, improves your leadership skills, and readies you to become an effective change maker in your organization as you gain practical training in the field.
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- LocationBaltimore, MD
- Accreditation(s)MSCHE, CCNE
- Religious AffiliationCatholic
- Cost Per Credit$375
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Transform your nursing career and earn an in-demand degree with the online RN to BSN degree program from Notre Dame of Maryland University. Gain the skills and knowledge needed to enhance your career opportunities in nursing while fulfilling the educational requirements of many healthcare employers. The program can be completed in as little as 15 months.
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- LocationPortsmouth, OH
- Accreditation(s)HLC, ACEN
- Religious Affiliation–
- Cost Per Credit$278
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Led by experienced nurse educators, Shawnee State University’s RN to BSN online program features small class sizes, personalized attention, and dedication to your future success. Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the accelerated curriculum equips you with the quality education needed to advance your career or pursue graduate studies.
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- LocationNashua, NH
- Accreditation(s)NECHE, ACEN
- Religious AffiliationCatholic
- Cost Per Credit$360
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Advance your nursing career and impact the lives of others with an ACEN-accredited RN to BSN online from Rivier University. Graduates of this program are prepared for leadership positions and master’s-level educational opportunities. The program’s flexible, convenient format can be designed around professional and personal schedules. Students with an active RN license will be awarded transfer credit for their experience and can finish the program faster.
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- LocationLakeland, FL
- Accreditation(s)SACSCOC, CCNE
- Religious AffiliationPentecostal – Assemblies of God
- Cost Per Credit$200
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Southeastern University’s online RN to BSN program offers working registered nurses the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree without interfering with their busy professional schedules. When you earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, you expand your knowledge and gain skills that are directly applicable to your nursing career. Become a top nursing professionals who provide the best possible healthcare services and patient care.
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- LocationPensacola, FL
- Accreditation(s)SACSCOC, CCNE
- Religious Affiliation–
- Cost Per Credit$282.13
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Gain more skills for career advancement in nursing and increased earning potential with the online RN to BSN from the University of West Florida. Through the program, you will demonstrate your commitment to the nursing profession as you advance your knowledge in evidence-based nursing practice, high-quality care, communication, and leadership. The CCNE-accredited program is taught by educators who are highly experienced in a variety of areas in the field, and you will gain their insight into nursing practices and the healthcare system.
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- LocationAda, OK
- Accreditation(s)HLC, ACEN
- Religious AffiliationPublic
- Cost Per Credit$264.25 In-State, $541.19 Out-of-State
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Designed specifically for those who currently hold their RN license, the RN to BSN online program enables nurses to provide safe, quality, patient-centered care in an environment of teamwork and collaboration. You’ll learn evidence-based practice, informatics, successful communication and other skills that will improve your effectiveness as a healthcare professional.
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- LocationSt. Paul, MN
- Accreditation(s)HLC, CCNE
- Religious AffiliationLutheran
- Cost Per Credit$420
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Concordia University, St. Paul’s online RN to BSN program advances the knowledge and skills of nursing professionals through an integration of learning and experience. Using a combination of theoretical inquiry and practical application, you will gain insight into ethics in healthcare, professional and evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration and communication, leadership, management, care coordination, and community health.
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- LocationReading, PA
- Accreditation(s)MSCHE CCNE, CCNE* The RN to BSN Completion Program at Alvernia University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
- Religious AffiliationFranciscan Roman Catholic
- Cost Per Credit$480
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With Alvernia University’s online RN to BSN program, you can earn the credentials you need to pursue broader responsibilities and career opportunities within nursing. The program teaches you advanced nursing skills as you also explore historical and contemporary issues and future trends. Because of the program’s online format, you can earn your degree while maintaining your busy schedule and learn from faculty who are experienced in a variety of clinical practice and professional leadership roles.
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- LocationMishawaka, IN
- Accreditation(s)HLC, ACEN
- Religious AffiliationChristian
- Cost Per Credit$405
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Bethel University’s RN to BSN online program equips you with the skills, knowledge, and practical training you need to take on more challenging roles in your workplace and advance in your profession. Designed for working professionals, the program’s curriculum trains you in a host of areas required for the modern nurse, such as pharmacology, patient and family centered care, community-based nursing, global health, nursing informatics, and more.
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- LocationTeaneck, NJ
- Accreditation(s)MSCHE, CCNE
- Religious AffiliationPrivate
- Cost Per Credit$725
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Fairleigh Dickinson University’s online RN-MSN saves you time and money in earning the credentials you need to be recognized as a nurse leader and qualify for management roles. This program is designed to give registered nurses the opportunity to complete requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree on their way to earning their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Because we accept 90 associate degree credits, you can fast-track your online RN to MSN and make the most of your previous nursing education. Choose the track that matches your career goals — become a nurse educator, or a family nurse practitioner.
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- LocationPensacola, FL
- Accreditation(s)SACSCOC, CCNE
- Religious Affiliation–
- Cost Per Credit282.13 and 425
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The University of West Florida’s accelerated RN to MSN online program is designed for registered nurses who are ready to continue their education with advanced credentials. It allows you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree on your way to completing your master’s, saving time and money. By completing the BSN program, you will earn 12 credit hours at the undergraduate rate which will be applied toward your Master of Science in Nursing