5 of the Highest Paid Nursing Specialties in 2021

5 of the Highest-Paid Nursing Specialties in 2021

A job in healthcare gives you everything you need. There’s room for expansion, lucrative salaries, accommodating benefits, and the sheer pleasure of helping others. However, sometimes finding the best fit for you in the industry may feel daunting. It remains significant, and it continues to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), researchers project registered nurse employment to grow seven percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Therefore, we’re here to help you narrow down some of the highest-paid nursing specialties in 2021.

Throughout healthcare, nursing specialties in demand consist of several fields. Deciding which specialty is suitable for you depends on a variety of factors. Below, we highlighted different types of nursing and salaries that vary depending on location and facility. Use this information as a baseline when researching which nurse salary and related specialty best suit you.

1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

Average Salary: $ 183,580 per year

This highly skilled profession ranks as one of the highest-paid nursing specialties in 2021. A CRNA administers anesthesia to patients during surgical, diagnostic, or obstetric procedures. Furthermore, CRNAs must have a master’s degree, although more employers prefer candidates who hold Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees. CRNA candidates must also obtain national certification in their field.

2. Nurse Practitioner

Average Salary: $115,800 per year

Due to the higher level of education and licensing required, Nurse Practitioners, on average, make $115,800 per year. Nurse Practitioners must have a master’s degree in nursing and obtain a license as a Nurse Practitioner. Moreover, a Nurse Practitioner has more authority than RN’s and can serve as primary care or specialty care providers depending on state law.

A Nurse Practitioners’ Salary will also range depending on the specialty they focus on, which include the following:

  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • Cardiac Nurse Practitioner
  • Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
  • Oncology Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Emergency Medicine & more

3. Certified Nurse Midwife

Average Salary: $ 111,130 per year

A Certified Nurse Midwife serves as another one of the highest-paid nursing specialties. This role specialized in providing care throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond. As an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), you must have a graduate midwifery degree, along with a valid registered nurse (RN) license. Lastly, you’ll need certification through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).

4. Nurse Administrator

Average Salary: $100,980 per year

As one of the highest nurse specialties in demand, Nursing Administrators provide strategic direction and planning and manage the day-to-day operations for nursing departments, organizations, and healthcare facilities. Furthermore, Nurse Administrators hold the responsibility of scheduling, managing budgets, overseeing nurses, writing reports, and ensuring a high patient care quality.

Titles can vary from nurse managers, nurse executives, nurse directors, or clinical nursing managers.

5. Nurse Educator

Average Salary: $ 75,470 per year

Nurse educators are registered nurses who use their clinical experience and academic expertise to train new nurses. Also, they prepare students to transition into the workforce and implement advanced degree programs for licensed RNs seeking advanced practice skills. Nurse educators must have a master’s degree, although many earn a doctoral degree as well. 

Your Healthcare Career Counselor

Working with a healthcare recruiter can allow you to land your dream role. However, deciding what partner to work with is critical because not every agency is the same.

At RNA Partners, we strive to find you an employer with which you can thrive and build a career. We’ll help you polish up your resume and interviewing skills and direct you toward a job suited to your interest.

We leverage our industry knowledge to pair the most talented healthcare professionals with the top healthcare facilities nationwide, regardless of your specialty. We work with Premier health systems with openings in almost all acute units. Our client is the largest healthcare employer in the state of Georgia, so we work with some of the highest compensating health systems around the country.

Ready to make the push to a new career? Contact us today!