In 2025, after becoming a registered nurse, there are numerous opportunities to advance your career and boost your income, with several lucrative nursing specialties offering competitive salaries and strong advancement prospects.
Here are the top 10 highest-paying nursing specialties as of 2025, along with their average annual salaries and key responsibilities:
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) – $212,650
Nurse Practitioner (NP) – $118,040
Nursing Administrator – $119,840
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – $124,077
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) – $114,210
Nurse Educator – $82,040
Nurse Researcher – $100,000
Nurse Informatics Specialist – $90,000
Nurse Practitioner in Cardiology – $130,000
Nurse Practitioner in Oncology – $125,000
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Leading the charge in anesthesia care and high-paying opportunities.
CRNAs are advanced practice nurses who specialize in administering anesthesia and providing anesthesia care across various medical settings. They collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland to ensure patient safety during procedures.
Average Salary: Approximately $212,650 per year.
Education and Requirements:
Requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), at least two years of critical care experience, and graduation from an accredited CRNA program. Certification is obtained by passing the National Certification Examination.
Career Outlook: The demand for CRNAs is projected to grow by 9% from 2022 to 2032, reflecting a strong need for anesthesia services.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
A versatile career with independence and high income potential.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice nurses who diagnose and treat medical conditions, prescribe medications, and offer preventive healthcare. Specializing in areas like family medicine, pediatrics, or psychiatry, NPs have the potential to earn high salaries while enjoying the flexibility of independent practice. As healthcare continues to shift towards more patient-centered care, the role of Nurse Practitioners is becoming increasingly vital in many states.
Average Salary: Around $118,040 per year.
Education and Requirements: Requires a BSN, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and national certification in a chosen specialty.
Career Outlook: The NP role is expected to grow by 45% between 2022 and 2032, indicating a high demand for primary and specialized care providers.
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
Empowering women through childbirth with high salary potential.
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) specialize in providing prenatal, labor, delivery, and postnatal care to women. They offer comprehensive care, including conducting natural childbirths, providing family planning services, and offering gynecological exams. CNMs work in hospitals, birthing centers, or private practices, emphasizing holistic, personalized care for women throughout their reproductive health journey.
Average Salary: Approximately $124,077 per year.
Education and Requirements: Requires a BSN, an MSN or DNP, and national certification in a chosen specialty.
Career Outlook: The role of CNSs is expected to grow as healthcare systems emphasize quality improvement and patient safety.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Specializing in patient care and clinical expertise for higher earnings.
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) are experts in specific patient care areas, such as oncology, cardiology, or neurology. They work in clinical settings, providing advanced care, managing patient cases, and advising healthcare teams on the latest practices and protocols. The CNS role is one of leadership and specialization, leading to both higher salaries and career advancement opportunities in various healthcare environments.
Average Salary: Approximately $124,077 per year.
Education and Requirements: Requires a BSN, an MSN or DNP, and national certification in a chosen specialty.
Career Outlook: The role of CNSs is expected to grow as healthcare systems emphasize quality improvement and patient safety.
Nursing Administrator
Nurse Administrators oversee and manage nursing departments, ensuring effective patient care and efficient operations. They handle budgeting, staffing, and strategic planning, often at the executive level in healthcare facilities.
Average Salary: $119,840 per year
Education and Requirements: Requires a BSN, followed by an MSN or DNP, with experience in leadership and healthcare administration.
Career Outlook: Strong demand as healthcare organizations need skilled leadership to manage complex systems and improve patient outcomes.
Nurse Midwife
Empowering women through childbirth with high salary potential.
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) provide comprehensive care to women throughout their pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods. They are highly respected for their expertise in both obstetrics and gynecology, combining medical knowledge with compassionate care. Nurse Midwives are in high demand, particularly in underserved areas, and the role offers excellent salary prospects along with job satisfaction and work-life balance.
Average Salary: Around $114,210 per year.
Education and Requirements: Requires a BSN, an MSN or DNP, and national certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board.
Career Outlook: The role of nurse midwives is expected to grow as more women seek personalized and holistic maternity care.
Nurse Educator
Shape the future of nursing while earning a rewarding salary. Nurse Educators are responsible for teaching and training the next generation of nurses. Whether working in academic settings or healthcare institutions, Nurse Educators design curriculum, oversee clinical practice, and mentor students. This role combines clinical expertise with teaching, and offers an excellent balance of job stability and income potential. There’s an increasing demand for Nurse Educators due to the growing nursing workforce.
Average Salary: Around $82,040 per year.
Education and Requirements: Requires a BSN, an MSN or DNP, and national certification in nursing education.
Career Outlook: The need for nurse educators is expected to grow due to a shortage of nursing faculty and an increasing demand for nurses.
Nurse Practitioner in Oncology
Nurse Practitioners specializing in oncology provide advanced care to cancer patients, diagnosing and treating various types of cancer. They collaborate with oncologists and other healthcare professionals to manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and offer supportive care.
Average Salary: $111,000 per year
Education and Requirements: Requires a BSN, an MSN or DNP with a specialization in oncology, and national certification in oncology nursing.
Career Outlook: As cancer care continues to advance, there is increasing demand for specialized nurse practitioners in oncology to provide comprehensive patient care.
Nurse Practitioner in Cardiology
Nurse Practitioners in cardiology focus on the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions, such as heart disease, arrhythmias, and hypertension. They perform assessments, prescribe medications, interpret diagnostic tests, and help manage patients’ overall heart health.
Average Salary: $113,000 per year
Education and Requirements: Requires a BSN, an MSN or DNP with a focus on cardiology, and certification in cardiovascular nursing.
Career Outlook: As cardiovascular diseases continue to rise globally, the demand for cardiology nurse practitioners is expected to grow, providing critical care for heart patients.
Nurse Informatics Specialist
Nurse Informatics Specialists bridge the gap between healthcare and technology by managing and analyzing data to improve patient care. They work with electronic health records (EHR), health information systems, and data analytics to optimize workflows, enhance communication, and ensure data accuracy.
Average Salary: $100,000 per year
Education and Requirements: Requires a BSN, a master’s degree in nursing informatics or health information technology, and expertise in EHR systems and data analysis.
Career Outlook: The healthcare industry’s increasing reliance on digital tools and data management makes this role critical, with rapid growth expected in the coming years.
Nurse Researcher
Nurse Researchers conduct scientific studies and clinical research to advance nursing practice, improve patient outcomes, and influence healthcare policy. They design, implement, and analyze research projects, focusing on topics such as patient care, healthcare delivery, and nursing practices. They often work in academic institutions, research hospitals, or healthcare organizations.
Average Salary: $95,000–$115,000 per year
Education and Requirements: Requires a BSN, an MSN or DNP, and often a Ph.D. in nursing or a related research field. Nurse Researchers may also need specialized training in research methodologies, data analysis, and grant writing.
Career Outlook: The demand for nurse researchers is expected to grow as healthcare organizations continue to prioritize evidence-based practice and seek to improve patient care through research.
