Considering becoming a nurse practitioner? You're probably wondering what the highest paidnurse practitioner specialty is. Read on to learn about all the types of nurse practitioners and the salaries for each.
Highest Paid Nurse Practitioner Specialities
TheBureau of Labor Statistics(BLS) reports that in 2021 the median annual income for nurse practitioners was$123,780per year. But there are a lot of different Nurse Practitioner specialties to choose from that will impact your duties and your salary. Let's take a look at some of the most popular ones.
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner - $145,348
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - $135,023
- Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner - $131,543
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner - $130,855
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - $129,608
- Family Nurse Practitioner - $128,141
- Oncology Nurse Practitioner - $122,701
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - $113,153
- Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner - $100,035
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner - $99,495
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner - $96,198
1. Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - $145,348
APsychiatric nurse practitioner is the highest paid nurse practitioner specialty in 2023. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) focus on mental illnesses in the same way psychiatrists do.As a PMHNP, you'll treat patients, prescribe medication, and/or counsel those who suffer from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and other disorders.
>> Related:Top 10 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs
The official credential you’ll earn via the ANCC is Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (PMHNP-BC).
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Salary
According toIndeed, the averagepsychiatric nurse practitioner salary is $145,348per year, but this will vary based on your years of experience, where you work, and more.
2. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - $135,023
Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) care for premature and sick newborns, including diagnosing them, providing treatment plans, and prescribing medication. They also can assist in delivering patients in certain settings.
>>Related:How to Become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Most commonly NNPs work in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, but they can work in a variety of healthcare settings. The technical skills required to be an NNP make it one of the highest paid nurse practitioner specialties.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Salary
Salary.comreports thatthe median neonatal nurse practitioner salary as of June 2023 was $135,023.
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3. Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner - $131,543
Aesthetic nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who specialize in cosmetic medical procedures that improve their patient’s appearance. As this specialty grows in popularity and demand, so does its high salary.
>>Related:How to Become an Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner
Aesthetic nurse practitioners examine and evaluate patients, counsel them on a variety of procedures, perform those procedures, and care for them as they recover.They can even own and operate their own cosmetic clinics in some states.
Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner Salary
According toZiprecruiter.com, the average national salary for an aesthetic nurse practitioner is $131,543.
>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
4. Emergency Nurse Practitioner - $130,855
If you work well in high-pressure environments and want to be in one of the highest paid nurse practitioner specialties, becoming an emergency nurse practitioner may be right for you.Emergency nurse practitioners assess, diagnose and manage injuries and illnesses that need urgent care.
In many states, emergency nurse practitioners can work autonomously without oversight from physicians.
>>Related:How to Become an Emergency Nurse Practitioner
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Salary
According toSalary.com, the median annual salary for an emergency nurse practitioner in the United States is $130,855.
5. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - $129,608
Acute care NPs see patients when they are sick, admitted to the hospital, or after a surgical procedure and/or trauma. Their focus is solely on caring for the adult population with complex diseases.
>>Related:How to Become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Salary
Glassdoor reports that the average acute care nurse practitioner salary in the U.S. is $129,608per year.
6. Family Nurse Practitioner - $128,141
If you want to be a “jack of all trades” type of NP, the FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified) designation allows you the most flexibility to work within a healthcare setting or to open your own practice.
>> Related: How to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner
These NPs work in a similar way to family doctors, which is one of the reasons that they're among the highest paid nurse practitioner specialties. Most often, they work in hospitals, medical offices, or clinics, but some have their own practices.
But what do family nurse practitioners do? Broadly, they provide family-focused medical care to individuals and groups throughout the lifespan. The most common FNP duties include diagnosing and treating patients, providing wellness check-ups, and prescribing medication.
Family Nurse Practitioner Salary
According toZipRecruiter, the national average FNP salary is $128,141.
>> Find Nurse Practitioner Programs Accepting Applications Now
7. Oncology Nurse Practitioner - $122,701
Oncology nurse practitioners work with patients undergoing cancer treatment. They collaborate with other healthcare providers, including physicians, to develop treatment plans for cancer patients.
Oncology Nurse Practitioner Salary
According toSalary.com, the median annual salary for an oncology NP as of June 2023 is $122,701, but the range typically falls between $115,501 and $127,201.
>> Related:How to Become an Oncology Nurse Practitioner
8. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - $113,153
If you love working with children, from infants to adolescents, becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner is the perfect fit for you.
>>Related:How to Become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Your practice will focus on the primary health care of young patients to help them achieve healthy physical and emotional development. Upon completing the certification exam, you’ll earn the designation of PPCNP-BC (Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified).
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Salary
According toIndeed.com, the average salary for a pediatric nurse practitioner in the United States is $113,153per year.
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9. Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner - $100,035
Orthopedic NPs are among the highest paid nurse practitioner specialties as they focus on caring for and treating patients suffering from musculoskeletal problems. These problems can include disease and/or injuries of the bones, muscles, joints, and supporting connective tissue.
>>Related: How to Become an Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner Salary
According toPayscale, the average salary for an orthopedic nurse practitioner as of June 2023 is $100,035.
10. Women's Health Nurse Practitioner - $99,495
A Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) specializes in the comprehensive care of women throughout their lives. They focus on reproductive, obstetric, and gynecological health for women of all ages.
>>Related: How to Become a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Salary
According toPayscale.com, Women’s Health NPs make, on average, $99,495 per year.Salary.com reports a slightly higher median annual salary of $114,688per year, but the range typically falls between $107,701 and $123,025.
11. Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner - $96,198
Though adult-gerontology NPs aren't the highestpaid nurse practitioner specialty, they still make a hearty living while doing extremely rewarding work. If you want to focus on providing care of a more serious nature to adults and to the elderly, you can choose to become an ACNPC-AG, which stands for Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Adult-Gerontology.
>>Related:How to Become an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Acute care refers to working with patients who have more serious health issues, which is why these NPs typically work in hospital emergency rooms or ICUs.
If you’re not interested in treating younger patients, you might consider choosing to become an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. Like the Family NP, you’ll provide primary care, usually in outpatient settings like clinics or medical offices.
You’ll typically work with adults, but mostly aging patients who come in for routine visits or who have minor or chronic illnesses.
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Salary
Payscale.com reports an average annual salary of Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners of $96,198.But salaries vary, withGlassdoor.com reporting Adult-Gerontology NPs make $120,704per yearon average.
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FAQs
Highest Paid Nurse Practitioner (NP) Specialties? ›
A Psychiatric nurse practitioner is the highest-paid nurse practitioner specialty in 2023. But what does a psychiatric nurse practitioner do to earn that high salary? Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) focus on mental illnesses in the same way psychiatrists do.
What is the highest paid NP specialty? ›A Psychiatric nurse practitioner is the highest-paid nurse practitioner specialty in 2023. But what does a psychiatric nurse practitioner do to earn that high salary? Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) focus on mental illnesses in the same way psychiatrists do.
What type of nurse practitioner is in highest demand? ›- Pulmonology nurse practitioner.
- Pediatric acute care nurse practitioner.
- House call nurse practitioner.
- Cardiology nurse practitioner.
- Aesthetic nurse practitioner.
- Pain management nurse practitioner.
- Emergency department/urgent care nurse practitioner.
Adult acute care nurse practitioner is the hardest nurse practitioner specialty, according to Nursing Process.
Where do FNP make the most money? ›According to the BLS, Nurse Practitioners in California earn the highest salary. Their average salary is $151,830 per year or $72.99 per hour.
Do nurse practitioners make 6 figures? ›Nurse practitioners are handsomely paid for their work, with the top 50% taking home six-figure salaries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 45.7% employment growth for nurse practitioners between 2021 and 2031.
Can an NP become a millionaire? ›Be Willing to Go the Extra Mile. Nobody will tell you that becoming a self-made millionaire as an NP is easy. You will need to put much effort into work, and long hours may be necessary initially to seed your financial plan and get it growing. However, hard work pays off.
What is the least stressful NP specialty? ›- Hemodialysis.
- Remote Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.
- Working in a Minute-Clinic.
- Working at an Online Urgent Care Center.
- NP on Foot Care Team.
- Case Management.
- NP for Long-Term Care Facility.
- Health Coach.
Family Nurse Practitioner or FNP is the most common Nurse Practitioner specialty, accounting for about half of all NPs – and there's good reasons for that, because FNPs are the most versatile NP certification that there is. FNP programs focus on family medicine, spanning from birth to death, ages 0-100+.
Is there anything higher than a NP? ›A Doctorate Of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the highest level of nursing education and expertise within the nursing profession. DNPs work in nursing administration or direct patient care as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
Which nursing specialty has the highest burnout rate? ›
Critical Care and Neurology nurses have the highest rate of burnout at 48%. While the physicians with the lowest rate of burnout are those in plastic surgery, at only 23%.
What is the lowest paid nursing specialty? ›Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) and Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) have the least education requirements among nurses and therefore tend to make lower incomes than other nursing specialties. LVNs and LPNs can increase their income by getting an associate degree or a bachelor's degree in nursing.
What state has the highest NP? ›Madhya Pradesh is the State with the highest number of National Parks in India.
How can I make the most money as an NP? ›- Pursue Continuing Education or Additional Certifications. ...
- Explore New Areas of Nursing. ...
- Gain Work Experience. ...
- Negotiate Better Nursing Contracts. ...
- Produce Medical Writing.
High-Cost-Of-Living Areas. Travel nurses who work in high-cost-of-living areas such as California, New York, or Massachusetts may also earn $200K or more. In these areas, the demand for healthcare professionals is high, and the cost of living is also high, which translates to higher pay for travel nurses.
What are the most restricted states for NP? ›Restricted practice states: According to the AANP, restricted-practice states as of January 2020 were California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Which is better FNP or AGNP? ›Both can act as primary care providers and have similar licensing requirements. The most significant difference between a family nurse practitioner and an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner is that FNPs care for patients of all ages, including children, while AGNPs care only for adolescents through adults.
Which specialty are most nurse practitioners educated? ›Perhaps the most common and well known of NP certifications is the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).