Certified Nurse Anesthetist
CRNAs administer anesthesia for surgical and medical procedures. This is the highest-paying advanced practice nursing specialty.
- Median Salary
- $223,210
- Education
- DNP or DNAP
2026 Nursing Salaries: Specialty Pay & State Wage Data
Explore comprehensive, accurate wage data for every nursing specialty across all 50 states. Make informed career decisions based on verified government statistics.
Median RN Salary
$93,600
Registered Nurses
Median NP Salary
$129,210
Nurse Practitioners
Median CNM Salary
$128,790
Certified Nurse-Midwives
Highest Paying
$223,210
Certified Nurse Anesthetists
Our nursing salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, supplemented by real-time job posting salary data for current market comparison.
Data
reviewed by 
sirI, MSN, APRN, NP
on March 2026
for accuracy.
Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
PMHNPs assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders through therapy and medication.
- Median Salary
- $139,043
- Education
- MSN or DNP
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
NNPs provide specialized care for premature and critically ill newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
- Median Salary
- $134,077
- Education
- MSN or DNP
Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
Orthopedic NPs diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions including fractures, joint disorders, and post-surgical rehabilitation.
- Median Salary
- $130,353
- Education
- MSN or DNP
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and manage patient care independently. NPs are among the fastest-growing healthcare roles.
- Median Salary
- $129,210
- Education
- MSN or DNP
Certified Nurse-Midwife
Certified nurse-midwives provide prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum care. CNMs also offer primary gynecological services.
- Median Salary
- $128,790
- Education
- MSN or DNP
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
AGNPs specialize in care for adults and older adults, managing chronic conditions and age-related health issues across primary and acute care settings.
- Median Salary
- $126,629
- Education
- MSN or DNP
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
ACNPs manage complex, acute, and critically ill patients in hospital settings including ICUs, emergency departments, and specialty units.
- Median Salary
- $125,387
- Education
- MSN or DNP
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
WHNPs provide reproductive and gynecological care including contraceptive counseling, prenatal care, and menopause management.
- Median Salary
- $120,421
- Education
- MSN or DNP
Healthcare Manager
Healthcare managers oversee hospital departments, medical practices, and health systems. They coordinate operations, budgets, and regulatory compliance.
- Median Salary
- $117,960
- Education
- BSN or MHA
Family Nurse Practitioner
FNPs deliver primary care to patients of all ages, from newborns to elderly adults. They focus on preventative health and chronic disease management.
- Median Salary
- $117,939
- Education
- MSN or DNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
PNPs provide primary and specialty care for infants, children, and adolescents. They manage wellness visits, acute illnesses, and developmental screenings.
- Median Salary
- $116,697
- Education
- MSN or DNP
Registered Nurse
Registered nurses provide patient care in hospitals, clinics, and community settings. The RN role is the largest nursing specialty with strong nationwide demand.
- Median Salary
- $93,600
- Education
- ADN or BSN
Nurse Educator
Nurse educators teach in nursing schools and clinical settings, developing curriculum and training the next generation of nurses.
- Median Salary
- $79,940
- Education
- MSN or Doctorate
Licensed Practical Nurse
LPNs provide basic patient care under RN or physician supervision including wound care, vital signs monitoring, and medication administration.
- Median Salary
- $62,340
- Education
- Certificate or Diploma
Medical Assistant
Medical assistants perform clinical and administrative tasks in physician offices, outpatient clinics, and specialty practices.
- Median Salary
- $44,200
- Education
- Certificate or Diploma
Emergency Medical Technician
EMTs provide emergency pre-hospital care including CPR, wound management, and patient transport to medical facilities.
- Median Salary
- $41,340
- Education
- Postsecondary Certificate
Nursing Assistant
CNAs assist patients with daily activities and basic care under nurse supervision. This entry-level role is a stepping stone into nursing careers.
- Median Salary
- $39,530
- Education
- CNA Certificate
Home Health Aide
Home health aides provide in-home personal care and basic health services to elderly, disabled, and chronically ill patients.
- Median Salary
- $34,900
- Education
- Certificate
Browse Data by State
Low Salary
High Salary
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest paying nursing specialty?
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are the highest-paying nursing specialty, with a national median salary of $223,210 per year according to 2025 BLS data.
How much does the mean Registered Nurse salary come to?
The national median salary for a Registered Nurse (RN) is $93,600 per year. The highest-paying state is California at $140,270, while Alabama is the lowest at $77,080.
Which state pays nurses the most?
California is the highest-paying state for Registered Nurses, with a median annual salary of $140,270. However, cost of living should be factored in when comparing salaries across states.
How much do Nurse Practitioners make?
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) earn a national median of $129,210 per year. NPs with specialized certifications such as psychiatric-mental health (PMHNP) or acute care tend to earn above this median.
Do nurses with a BSN earn more than ADN nurses?
While both ADN and BSN nurses can work as Registered Nurses earning the same base salary (national median $93,600), BSN holders generally have greater access to leadership, specialty, and advanced practice roles that command higher pay.