#1 HIGHEST PAID
1. Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- $248K average per year
- Gives anesthesia for surgery, childbirth and procedures
- Path: BSN, then at least 1 year of ICU experience
- Then a doctoral program (DNP or DNAP), about 3 years
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
#2 HIGHEST PAID
2. Nurse Director / Health Services Manager
- $141K average per year
- Leads units, departments or whole nursing divisions
- Path: charge nurse to manager, then director
- An MSN, MHA or MBA usually helps you move up
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
#3 HIGHEST PAID
3. Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- $137K average per year
- Diagnoses, treats and prescribes
- Path: BSN, then an MSN or DNP and national certification
- One of the fastest-growing jobs in the country
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
#4 HIGHEST PAID
4. Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
- $137K average per year
- Prenatal care, births, postpartum and well-woman care
- Path: BSN, then a graduate midwifery program
- Certified by the AMCB exam
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
NO GRAD SCHOOL NEEDED
5. Top-paying bedside specialties
- Cath lab
- Labor & delivery
- Pain management
- Critical care (ICU)
- PACU
The average RN earns $101K (BLS, May 2025). Bedside ranking uses job-site salary averages compiled by Incredible Health. Pay varies most by state and shift.
BOOST ANY PAYCHECK
6. Earn more without a new degree
- Work nights and weekends for shift differentials
- Get certified in your specialty (CCRN, CEN, RNC-OB)
- Pick up overtime or per-diem shifts
- Try travel contracts in high-demand areas
- Negotiate every offer, and ask about sign-on bonuses
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