There are several different types of nurses, each with its own educational requirements, responsibilities, work environment, and salaries.
Nursing offers a stable, rewarding career with excellent job growth and salary potential.
There are over 4 million nurses currently working in the United States, making it the largest healthcare profession.
Nurses play a vital role in providing skilled and compassionate patient care.
Read on to learn about the major nursing careers and their typical earning potential across settings from hospitals to physicians’ offices.
Nursing Education and Licensure
Before diving into the various nursing specialties, it’s helpful to understand nurse training and credentialing.
There are three main education paths:
- Diploma in Nursing (DN): Typically 3 years. Offered at hospitals. Leads to the RN license exam.
- Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN): a 2-year community college degree. Qualifies graduates to take the RN license test.
- Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN): 4-year university nursing degree. Prepares for RN license exam.
All qualified graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN national exam to obtain registered nursing licensure and begin practice.
Additional certifications are required for advanced specialties.
Nurses may begin with an ADN or diploma before completing RN-to-BSN bridge programs.
Master’s degrees are necessary for roles like Nurse Practitioners.
Types of Nurses and Their Salaries in the US
Now let’s explore the most common nursing careers, their job duties, work environments, qualifications, and average national salary levels.
1. Registered Nurses
- Administer patient treatment and medications
- Operate diagnostic tests and analyze results
- Record symptoms and health changes
- Educate patients on care needs
- Salary: $75,330 per year
2. Licensed Practical Nurses
- Provide basic medical care like changing bandages
- Monitor vitals like blood pressure
- Assist registered nurses with tasks
- Salary: $48,820 per year
3. Nurse Practitioners
- Diagnose acute and chronic illness
- Prescribe medications and therapies
- Perform physical exams
- Manage patient treatment plans
- Salary: $114,510 per year
4. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
- Administer anesthesia during surgeries
- Oversee patient recovery from anesthesia
- Respond to emergencies during operations
- Salary: $189,190 per year
5. Critical Care Nurses
- Care for patients with complex acute conditions
- Operate life support equipment and monitors
- Closely track symptoms and vital changes
- Perform emergency interventions as needed
- Salary: $74,760 per year
6. Emergency Room Nurses
- Rapidly assess and treat patients in urgent distress
- Prioritize care based on severity
- Stabilize conditions requiring immediate attention
- Salary: $75,380 per year
7. Labor and Delivery Nurses
- Monitor mother and baby during the birth process
- Provide pain management and comfort measures
- Assist doctors in delivering infants
- Handle emergencies like high-risk deliveries
- Salary: $75,170 per year
8. Neonatal Nurses
- Care for newborn babies, especially premature or sick infants
- Monitor infants requiring intensive care
- Educate parents on care procedures
- Salary: $75,020 per year
9. Pediatric Nurses
- Administer immunizations and medications to children
- Advocate for patients’ comfort and needs
- Educate families on child development and care
- Salary: $76,260 per year
10. Psychiatric Nurses
- Care for patients with mental health disorders and conditions
- Monitor medication side effects and response
- Provide counseling and crisis intervention
- Salary: $83,240 per year
11. Home Health Nurses
- Provide at-home care to patients after procedures or managing illness
- Check wounds, give treatments, draw blood for tests
- Support family caregivers and teach home care skills
- Salary: $82,750 per year
12. Rehabilitation Nurses
- Work with patients regaining function after injuries, operations, disabilities
- Teach therapeutic exercises and activities
- Manage pain
- Provide emotional support during recovery
- Salary: $75,010 per year
13. School Nurses
- Maintain student health records
- Administer medications, first aid, and screenings
- Monitor immunizations and outbreak control
- Promote student health education
- Salary: $64,340 per year
Highest Paying Nursing Specialties
The highest salaries in nursing go to advanced practice registered nurses and those with specialized technical abilities.
The top 5 highest paying nursing careers are:
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists: $189,190 annual salary
- Nurse Practitioners: $114,510
- Clinical Nurse Specialists: $106,950
- Nurse Midwives: $103,770
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners: $103,880
Critical care nurses working in ICUs, ERs, and operating rooms also earn towards the higher end. Years of experience boost salaries too.
Work Settings and Salaries
Nursing salaries also fluctuate based on the work setting. Here are typical earning ranges by environment:
- Hospitals: $76,000 – $102,000+ per year
- Physicians’ Offices: $63,000 – $84,000 per year
- Home Health Services: $77,000 – $92,000 per year
- Nursing Care Facilities: $61,000 – $78,000 per year
- Government: $79,000 – $99,000+ per year
- Outpatient Centers: $68,000 – $88,000 per year
Major metro areas like Los Angeles, New York, and Miami also tend to pay 10-15% higher nursing wages to offset the cost of living.
Nursing Salary Factors
Several factors impact a nurse’s earnings potential beyond specialty and work setting:
- Level of education and training
- Years of experience in the field
- Regional cost of living variances
- Individual achievements and certifications
- Management / supervisory responsibilities
- Overtime and shift differentials
- Reputation of employer
Overall, nursing provides generous wages with the opportunity to climb the pay scale through experience, specialization, and seeking new challenges.
Nursing Salary Outlook
A strong demand forecast for healthcare services means nursing salaries should continue rising across specialties.
The BLS projects the average RN salary to grow 8% over the next 5 years.
Specialties like nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners may see above-average increases.
Shortages for advanced practice nurses, psychiatrists, OR nurses, and other specialties should drive salaries higher as employers compete for talent.
Nurses willing to relocate to underserved and rural areas typically enjoy the highest pay, bonuses, and benefits.
Overseas nurses recruited to the US also gain leverage to negotiate attractive wage packages.
Conclusion
Nursing offers rewarding, meaningful work with immense variety when it comes to specialties and care settings.
Salaries also provide economic stability and upside potential as nurses gain experience and credentials.
While all nursing disciplines provide liveable wages, moving into advanced practice, leadership, specialized niches, and in-demand regions can send incomes higher over the course of a career.
Given the perpetual shortage of quality nurses, excellent job stability and negotiating power comes with the profession. Nurses are always valued.
Of course, passion for providing skilled, compassionate care is the top requirement for entering the field.
But it’s encouraging to know your dedication translates into such strong earning ability over time.
Nursing offers diverse roles for caretakers of all interests, but a unifying career outlook of bright job prospects and financial comfort.
FAQ
Which Nurses Make the Most Money?
Nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse midwives are among the highest-paid nursing careers, typically earning over $100,000 annually.
Do Nurses Really Get Paid Well in The US?
Yes, US nurses earn very competitive wages compared to other countries. Even newly qualified RNs typically start around $60,000 – $70,000 in many regions.
How Can I Increase My Nursing Salary?
Specializing in a high-demand niche, pursuing higher education, gaining experience, relocating jobs strategically, and achieving new certifications can all help nurses earn more over their careers.
What Options Do Nurses Have for Higher Pay?
Options include becoming an advanced practice registered nurse, moving into hospital or clinic management roles, taking travel nursing contracts, getting specialized certifications, and relocating to regions with nurse shortages.
Do All Nurses in the US Make Six-Figure Salaries?
No, most general RNs make $60,000 – $90,000 on average. Six-figure incomes are more common among nurse practitioners, CRNAs, management roles, psychiatrists, and advanced specialties requiring extra education.
