What Type of Nurses Make the Most Money?

Ranked by median/average annual salary as of 2026: 1.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): $214,000–$250,000+ — among the top-earning healthcare providers; compare to a physician salary for context. 2. Nurse Practitioner (NP): $120,000–$140,000. 3.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): $110,000–$130,000. 4.

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM): $115,000–$130,000. 5. Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP): $115,000–$135,000. 6. Surgical or OR RN: $90,000–$115,000. 7.

ICU/Critical Care RN: $85,000–$110,000. 8. NICU RN: $85,000–$105,000. 9. ER/Trauma RN: $80,000–$105,000. 10.

Nurse Manager: $95,000–$130,000. See our full nurse salary guide for a broader overview.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) complete a master's or doctoral level CRNA program (typically 3 years post-BSN) and provide anesthesia independently or in collaboration with physicians.

Their high skill level, years of training, and autonomous scope of practice justify their premium compensation — among the highest of any non-physician healthcare provider.

California consistently has the highest RN salaries — average RN wages exceed $130,000/year per BLS data, partly driven by the high cost of living in California.

Hawaii, Oregon, Alaska, and Massachusetts also rank high.

Southern and Midwest states generally have lower average RN wages, though cost of living adjustments affect real purchasing power.

In Texas, for example, registered nurse salary is lower in nominal terms but may stretch further given lower housing and living costs.