Salary Guide

Nursing Salary by Specialty

A complete salary comparison across nursing specialties — APRN, RN, and LPN roles side by side. Medians are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS plus specialty compensation surveys.

Full nursing salary table

Every specialty in one place, listed with credential, median salary, and typical range.

  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) (APRN) — median $212,650 · range $170k–$260k+
  • Nurse Practitioner (NP) (APRN) — median $126,260 · range $95k–$165k
  • Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) (APRN) — median $120,880 · range $95k–$155k
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) (APRN) — median $115,000 · range $90k–$150k
  • Pain Management Nurse (RN/APRN) — median $110,000 · range $85k–$140k
  • Informatics Nurse (RN/BSN) — median $102,000 · range $80k–$135k
  • ICU / Critical Care RN (RN) — median $95,000 · range $78k–$130k
  • ER / Trauma RN (RN) — median $92,000 · range $75k–$125k
  • OR / Perioperative RN (RN) — median $90,000 · range $72k–$120k
  • Cardiac Cath Lab RN (RN) — median $92,000 · range $75k–$125k
  • Oncology RN (RN) — median $88,000 · range $72k–$115k
  • Neonatal ICU (NICU) RN (RN) — median $90,000 · range $72k–$120k
  • L&D RN (RN) — median $87,000 · range $72k–$115k
  • Psychiatric / Mental Health RN (RN) — median $83,000 · range $68k–$110k
  • Home Health RN (RN) — median $78,000 · range $65k–$100k
  • Travel RN (RN) — median $110,000 · range $85k–$170k
  • School Nurse (RN) — median $60,000 · range $48k–$80k
  • LPN / LVN (LPN) — median $59,730 · range $45k–$78k

How to read these numbers

  • Medians are national. Local pay can vary 20–40% above or below.
  • Ranges reflect the 25th–90th percentile — the top of range is achievable with certification, experience, and premium settings.
  • Total compensation for travel, per-diem, and locum roles includes stipends and often exceeds the base range.
  • APRN roles require an MSN or DNP; some (like CRNA) require additional certification and clinical hours.

Pay by credential

  • APRN (CRNA, NP, CNM, CNS) — $115k to $260k+
  • RN (BSN or ADN) — $60k to $130k
  • LPN / LVN — $45k to $78k

Highest paying nursing states

  • California — top state overall, especially for CRNA, NP, and travel RNs
  • Hawaii — high pay but very high cost of living
  • Massachusetts — strong hospital pay, academic medical centers
  • Oregon — competitive RN pay across settings
  • Washington — Seattle metro tech-adjacent hospital pay
  • New York — high metro pay, especially NYC and Long Island

Explore nurse profiles by specialty

Use the directory to find nurses by specialty, license type, and location.

Explore nursing careers and get found online

Compare nursing specialties, salaries and career paths. If you are a nurse, create a professional profile so employers and healthcare organizations can find you.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest paid nursing specialty?

CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) is the highest paid nursing specialty, with median pay in the low $200,000s and top earners well above $260k.

How much does the average nurse make by specialty?

Registered nurses in the U.S. earn a national median around $86k, but pay varies widely by specialty — from mid-$60k for school nurses to $130k+ for travel and critical care RNs, and $200k+ for CRNAs.

Do nurses earn more in certain states?

Yes. California, Hawaii, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Washington consistently pay the highest nurse salaries. Rural and southern states typically pay 20–30% below the national median.

Do certifications increase nursing pay?

Yes. Specialty certifications like CCRN (critical care), CEN (emergency), OCN (oncology), PMHNP-BC (psychiatric NP), and CRNA add measurable pay premiums on top of the base credential.

What drives nurse pay the most?

Credential (APRN > RN > LPN), specialty (procedural and critical-care top the list), geography (CA, HI, MA, OR pay highest), employer type (hospitals and outpatient surgery centers pay more than schools or LTC), shift differentials, and certifications.

Where do these numbers come from?

Medians are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) plus specialty board and industry compensation surveys. Local pay can vary 20–40% above or below the national median.