Highest Paid Registered Nurse Jobs and Salary Range in US 2025

Registered Nurse Roles Commonly Associated with Higher Salaries in 2025

Some nursing positions that often correspond with higher salaries include:

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
  • Salary Range: Approximately $212,650 to $259,707 annually
  • Role: Administer anesthesia under collaborative healthcare team settings
  • Education and Certification: BSN degree, relevant critical care experience, completion of an accredited CRNA program, and passing national certification exams. Doctorate-level education (DNP or DNAP) is commonly expected as of 2025.
  • Work Settings: Hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, pain management clinics, outpatient surgeries
• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
  • Salary Range: Approximately $112,522 to $129,650 annually
  • Role: Provide prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care
  • Education and Certification: Completion of an accredited CNM program, national certification, and state licensure
  • Work Settings: Hospitals, birthing clinics, private practices, government facilities
• Nurse Practitioner (NP) (General and Specialty)
  • Salary Range: Approximately $103,803 to $126,260 annually
  • Role: Diagnose, treat, and manage patient health; some NPs operate independent practices depending on state laws
  • Education and Certification: MSN or DNP degree, accredited NP program completion, national certification, and state licensure
  • Work Settings: Hospitals, outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, private practices
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
  • Salary Range: Approximately $94,545 to $124,374 annually
  • Role: Provide specialized patient care, conduct research, contribute to clinical practice improvements
  • Education and Certification: MSN degree with CNS specialization, specialty certification
  • Work Settings: Hospitals, nursing homes, research centers, government agencies
• Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA)
  • Salary Range: Approximately $108,267 to $111,764 annually
  • Role: Assist surgeons during operations
  • Education and Certification: BSN degree, active RN license, CNOR certification, perioperative nursing experience
  • Work Settings: Surgical centers, hospitals, outpatient surgery centers
• Pain Management Nurse
  • Salary Range: Approximately $121,916 annually
  • Role: Manage acute and chronic pain in multidisciplinary care teams
  • Education and Experience: BSN and relevant critical care or pain management experience
  • Work Settings: Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, oncology and pain clinics
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
  • Salary Range: Approximately $119,801 annually
  • Role: Provide psychiatric care and substance abuse counseling
  • Education and Certification: MSN or DNP from an accredited PMHNP program, national certification
  • Work Settings: Psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, addiction centers

Other roles including Health Policy Nurses, Nursing Administrators, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners, Family Nurse Practitioners, and Nurse Educators may have salary ranges typically between $86,000 and $117,000 per year.

Registered Nurse Salary Considerations in 2025

For RNs without advanced practice credentials, salaries tend to be lower but still competitive in healthcare:

• National Average RN Salary: Around $86,070 to $108,763 annually
• Median RN Salary: Estimated between $91,813 and $94,480 annually
• Hourly Wage Range: Approximately $32 to $45+, with median hourly wages around $35 to $42
• Lower 10% Earnings: Approximately $64,928 annually
• Upper 10% Earnings: Can reach near $152,599 annually, depending on education, experience, and specialty area

These figures show salary variation influenced by factors including educational background (ADN, BSN, or higher), certifications, nursing specialty, and work environment.

Influential Factors on Registered Nurse Salaries

Several key factors typically impact RN earning potential:

Education and Certification

• Advanced degrees (such as MSN or DNP) are associated with higher average salaries, especially in advanced practice roles.
• Specialty certifications (e.g., CCRN, CEN) may contribute to incremental salary increases, generally in the range of $5,000 to $15,000 annually.
• For example, CRNAs are generally expected to hold doctoral-level education.

Experience

• Entry-level RNs often earn between $60,000 and $70,000 annually. Salaries tend to increase with more years of experience and in leadership or specialized positions.

Specialty and Workplace Setting

• Nurses working in specialties like anesthesia, midwifery, neonatal care, or psychiatric nursing often have higher salaries.
• Settings like ICU, ER, OR, and surgical clinics frequently offer higher wages than general medical-surgical floors or outpatient care.

Geographic Location

• Salaries may be higher in metropolitan areas or states with a higher cost of living and workforce demand, such as California and New York.

Career Outlook

• Nursing professions, particularly advanced practice roles, are projected to grow between 2022 and 2032. Growth rates for some specialties may vary from 9% to 45%, reflecting factors such as demographic changes and healthcare policy shifts.

Approaches for Registered Nurses to Enhance Salary Potential

Registered nurses interested in increasing their earning potential may consider these practical steps:

• Pursue Further Education: Obtaining a BSN is a common foundation, with advanced degrees like MSN or DNP supporting access to higher-paying positions.
• Obtain Specialty Certifications: Certifications in areas such as critical care, emergency nursing, or anesthesia assistance may enhance salary prospects.
• Work in High-Demand Clinical Areas: Employment in ICU, ER, OR, or specialized clinics may provide higher compensation opportunities.
• Consider Geographic Mobility: Some nurses choose to relocate or take travel nursing positions that often provide higher pay, possibly including stipends.
• Negotiate Salary Thoughtfully: When possible, using up-to-date salary data relevant to location and specialty may support wage discussions.

Common Work Settings Associated with Higher Registered Nurse Salaries

Positions with higher salary potential often exist in:

• Hospitals, especially specialized units like ICU, NICU, and surgical floors
• Ambulatory care and outpatient surgical centers
• Private specialty practices such as midwifery and pain management clinics
• Government and research organizations employing nurse policy advisors or nurse educators
• Mental health and addiction treatment facilities for psychiatric nursing roles

In 2025, registered nurse roles involving advanced practice education and certification generally correspond with higher salary ranges, with Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists typically among the highest earners. Registered nurse salaries in the US range broadly depending on education, specialization, experience, and work environment. Advancing education, obtaining specialty certifications, and working in high-demand areas are strategies that may contribute to increased earning potential. The nursing profession is projected to maintain steady growth, offering diverse career paths with varying remuneration levels.

Sources

• https://www.asrn.org/journal-advanced-practice-nursing/3249-15-highest-paying-nursing-jobs-in-2025.html
• https://www.protouchstaffing.com/registered-nurse-salary-in-2025-how-much-do-rns-make
• https://betternurse.org/nurse-salary-statistics/

Disclaimer: All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only. The information and materials contained in these pages and the terms, conditions and descriptions that appear, are subject to change without notice.