The Top 5 Highest Paying Nursing Jobs in 2022

If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that healthcare workers are an integral component to our society, and those who are interested in a career in the healthcare field will find that their jobs won’t ever go out of style. In particular, the demand for nurses is growing quite rapidly. According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for registered nurses is expected to grow 9% between now and 2030, with nearly 200,000 new job openings each year. Today, we’re going to go over some of the highest paying nursing jobs out there. Let’s begin.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

If you’re studying to become a nurse and also have an interest in mental health, then you should consider taking this route. Psychiatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) work with patients who suffer from mental health disorders, as well those suffering from substance abuse issues. The demand for PNPs is ever-growing, as issues relating to mental health are gaining more attention.

Those who are interested in a career in this field will be required to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, along with a PNP license, and will have the option to work in a variety of facilities, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, or any number of mental health facilities. With regards to earnings, you can expect to make anywhere between $100,000 to around $118,000 per year as a PNP—not too shabby!

Clinical Nurse Specialist

A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) typically works in a specialized clinic, and is tasked with not only treating patients, but also performing important research into how healthcare practices can be improved. More recently, hospitals have been looking to hire additional CNS workers for their specialized care abilities, and because they cost less than physicians.

As a CNS, you can work in a variety of facilities including hospitals, special clinics, and private practices. You’ll be required to earn a MSN degree with a specialization in clinical nursing if you want to become a CNS. As far as your salary is concerned, you can take home as much as $122,000 per year in this field.

ICU Nurse

Not for the faint of heart, intensive care unit (ICU) nurses deal with all kinds of life and death situations, which means the demand for these specialized nurses is always high. ICU nurses are required to make well-informed but often quick decisions in a fast-paced environment, and thus, possessing strong critical thinking skills is a must.

Any registered nurse (RN) can become an ICU nurse, since most hospitals offer training that helps develop the necessary skills; however, you can also go for CCRN certification. During the course of receiving CCRN certification, you will learn how to care for patients who are in need of urgent care in critical situations. As an ICU nurse, you’ll pull in anywhere from $120,000 to nearly $200,000 per year! Of course, this depends on a number of factors such as which hospital you work at, and your location. Having that CCRN won’t hurt your earning potential either.

General Nurse Practitioner

As a general nurse practitioner (General NP), you’ll have a wide variety of employment options available to you. From hospitals to urgent care facilities, or even your own private practice, there are many ways to earn a living as a General NP. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these jobs are expected to grow nearly 50% by 2030, which means you’ll have no trouble finding work.

To be a General NP, you’ll be required to earn your MSN degree, along with a Nurse Practitioner license. The average salary of a General NP is around $120,000 per year, and while it isn’t as high as some of the others on this list, the flexibility that is afforded to you in this field makes it a great choice if you’re studying to become a nurse.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

This entry has not only the longest title on the list, but it commands the highest overall salary of them all. As a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), you’ll work alongside a number of other professionals such as surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, and more. The task of a CRNA is to prepare and administer anesthesia to patients, so it goes without saying that this is an incredibly important job!

As of the present, you don’t need to have a doctoral degree to become a CRNA; however, according to the Council on Accreditation, it will be a requirement by 2025. You can expect to earn around $195,000 per year as a CRNA, making it the highest paying nursing job out there—capital!

You know what they say: more money, more candy and video games. At least, that’s what I always say. In all seriousness, nurses have a tough job, and they’re often some of the most dedicated workers in the world. If you’ve got what it takes to hit the books and get your certification, you could be well on your way to a great, stable career.