Top Highest-Paying APRN Specialties for 2025

Introduction

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are registered nurses (RNs) who have taken their careers to the next level through specialized education, advanced clinical training, and targeted expertise. These roles typically require at least a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), making them some of the most respected and well-compensated positions in the nursing profession.

APRNs fall into four main categories:

• Nurse Practitioner (NP)

• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

• Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

Within these categories, nurses often specialize further based on patient population, medical specialty, or practice setting, leading to significant salary variations.

In 2025, demand for APRNs is projected to rise sharply due to healthcare workforce shortages, aging populations, and an increased focus on preventive and specialty care. Nurse.education has compiled this guide to the Top 10 Highest-Paying APRN Specialties 2025, based on salary data from staffing agencies, healthcare systems, and industry research throughout 2024.

Whether you’re considering a shift into advanced practice nursing or looking to specialize further, this in-depth breakdown will help you understand earning potential, job responsibilities, educational requirements, and career outlook.

Table of Contents

1. Overview: APRN Career Pathways & Salary Factors

2. Top 5 Highest Average Staff Wages by Specialty

   • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

   • Interventional Radiology Nurse Practitioner

   • General Surgery Nurse Practitioner

   • Obstetrics/Gynecology Nurse Practitioner

   • Pulmonology Nurse Practitioner

3. Top 5 Highest Average Travel Wages by Specialty

   • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

   • Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery NP

   • Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

   • Hospitalist Nurse Practitioner

   • Clinical Nurse Specialist

4. Other High-Paying APRN Specialties to Watch

5. Educational Pathways for High-Paying APRN Roles

6. Tips for Maximizing APRN Salary in 2025

7. Career Outlook for APRNs Beyond 2025

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Overview: APRN Career Pathways & Salary Factors

The salary of an APRN can vary dramatically depending on:

• Education Level - MSN vs. DNP, plus relevant post-graduate certifications

• Specialty Area - High-demand specialties often command higher pay

• Geographic Location - Salaries in urban areas or high-cost-of-living states tend to be higher

• Experience Level - Advanced skills and leadership roles can add significant salary boosts

• Employment Setting - Hospitals, outpatient clinics, academic institutions, or travel contracts

While all APRNs typically earn substantially more than RNs, the top-paying specialties in 2025 are expected to offer weekly salaries that rival, or even surpass, six-figure annual incomes.

2. Top 5 Highest Average Staff Wages by Specialty

These salaries reflect staff positions, full-time, often permanent roles within hospitals or healthcare facilities.

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

Education Requirements: MSN or DNP (DNP mandatory for new CRNAs by 2025)

Certifications: NCE (NBCRNA)

Average Weekly Staff Salary: $5,009

Highest Weekly Staff Salary: $8,000

Role & Responsibilities: CRNAs are highly specialized APRNs who administer anesthesia for surgical procedures, pain management, and obstetric care. They are trained in both general and regional anesthesia techniques, including epidurals, nerve blocks, and intravenous sedation.

They work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare providers to design anesthesia care plans, monitor patients during surgery, and ensure safe recovery.

Why It Pays Well: The role requires years of advanced education and critical care experience, coupled with the immense responsibility of ensuring patient safety under anesthesia.

Work Settings:

• Operating rooms

• Ambulatory surgery centers

• Pain management clinics

• Military medical facilities

Career Outlook: With an ongoing shortage of anesthesia providers in rural areas, CRNA salaries are expected to remain at the top of APRN pay scales well beyond 2025.

• Interventional Radiology Nurse Practitioner

Education Requirements: MSN or DNP with Acute Care or Radiology specialization

Certifications: CRNP / ARLS

Average Weekly Staff Salary: $4,118

Highest Weekly Staff Salary: $4,216

Role & Responsibilities: Interventional Radiology NPs assist in minimally invasive, image-guided procedures such as angioplasty, stent placement, and tumor biopsy. They provide pre-procedure assessments, assist during interventions, and oversee post-procedure care to ensure smooth recoveries.

Why It Pays Well: This specialty combines advanced imaging technology with hands-on patient care, and requires unique cross-disciplinary expertise in both radiology and acute care.

• General Surgery Nurse Practitioner

Education Requirements: MSN or higher with Surgical Care specialization

Certifications: CRNP

Average Weekly Staff Salary: $3,835

Highest Weekly Staff Salary: $5,774

Role & Responsibilities: General Surgery NPs are involved in every stage of the surgical process, preoperative assessment, intraoperative support, and postoperative recovery.

They manage surgical sites, oversee wound care, adjust pain management plans, and monitor for complications, playing a vital role in optimizing patient outcomes.

• Obstetrics/Gynecology Nurse Practitioner

Education Requirements: MSN or DNP with Women’s Health or OB/GYN focus

Certifications: WHNP-BC or CRNP

Average Weekly Staff Salary: $3,815

Highest Weekly Staff Salary: $5,774

Role & Responsibilities: OB/GYN NPs specialize in women’s reproductive health, from family planning and prenatal care to managing menopause symptoms.

They conduct well-woman exams, order diagnostic tests, and coordinate care for conditions affecting reproductive health.

• Pulmonology Nurse Practitioner

Education Requirements: MSN or DNP with Pulmonology or Acute Care focus

Certifications: ACNPC-AG or CRNP

Average Weekly Staff Salary: $3,646

Highest Weekly Staff Salary: $4,619

Role & Responsibilities: Pulmonology NPs diagnose and treat respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. They use advanced diagnostic tools such as bronchoscopy and CT imaging, and may assist in procedures like endobronchial valve placement.

3. Top 5 Highest Average Travel Wages by Specialty

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

• Role Overview: CRNAs are highly trained APRNs who administer anesthesia for surgeries, procedures, and pain management. They monitor patients before, during, and after anesthesia, ensuring safety and optimal recovery.

• Why Pay Is High: This role requires advanced education, significant responsibility, and precision, often in high-stakes surgical environments. The combination of specialized skills and staffing shortages pushes wages higher for travel assignments.

• Typical Settings: Operating rooms, outpatient surgical centers, trauma hospitals, and rural facilities without in-house anesthesiologists.

Cardiovascular / Cardiothoracic Surgery Nurse Practitioner

• Average Weekly Travel Salary: $7,223

• Highest Weekly Travel Salary: $11,127

Role Overview: These NPs work closely with cardiothoracic surgeons on complex heart and lung surgeries. Their responsibilities span the preoperative stage (patient evaluation, education, and preparation), the intraoperative stage (assisting in the OR), and the postoperative stage (monitoring recovery, managing complications, and ensuring optimal outcomes).

Why Pay Is High:

• Specialized surgical knowledge

• High-intensity work environment

• Critical impact on patient survival and recovery

• Limited number of qualified NPs in this subspecialty

Typical Settings: Cardiac surgery units, cardiovascular ICUs, and specialized heart and lung centers.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)

• Average Weekly Travel Salary: $6,463

• Highest Weekly Travel Salary: $8,400

Role Overview: ACNPs care for patients with severe, complex, and often life-threatening conditions. They work in high-pressure environments like intensive care units (ICUs), emergency departments, and trauma centers. Their duties include rapid assessment, diagnostic testing, emergency interventions, and ongoing critical care management.

Why Pay Is High:

• Demand for rapid decision-making and advanced procedures

• High patient acuity levels

• Staffing shortages in critical care settings

Typical Settings: ICUs, step-down units, ERs, trauma centers, and specialty hospitals.

Hospitalist Nurse Practitioner

• Average Weekly Travel Salary: $4,861

• Highest Weekly Travel Salary: $5,040

Role Overview: Hospitalist NPs manage inpatient care from admission through discharge. They coordinate with multiple specialties, order and interpret tests, adjust treatments, and ensure continuity of care. Essentially, they’re the primary point of contact for hospitalized patients throughout their stay.

Why Pay Is High:

• Breadth of knowledge across many conditions

• Ability to manage complex cases with multiple comorbidities

• Constant demand in hospitals nationwide

Typical Settings: General hospital wards, internal medicine floors, and multidisciplinary care teams.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

• Average Weekly Travel Salary: $4,703

• Highest Weekly Travel Salary: $8,078

Role Overview: CNSs are advanced clinical experts who focus on improving patient outcomes by supporting nursing staff, developing evidence-based protocols, and leading quality improvement initiatives. They often work more in a consultative and leadership capacity rather than direct patient care alone.

Why Pay Is High:

• Deep expertise in specialized areas (e.g., oncology, cardiology, critical care)

• Significant influence on patient safety, outcomes, and hospital efficiency

• Limited availability of CNS-trained APRNs

Typical Settings: Large hospitals, academic medical centers, specialty clinics, and system-wide nursing leadership roles.

4. Other High-Paying APRN Specialties to Watch

While the top-paying travel APRN roles in 2025 dominate salary charts, there are other specialties that, despite having a lower number of job postings, still offer high earning potential and remain in strong demand in certain regions or healthcare sectors. These roles can be excellent career choices for nurses with specialized interests and a willingness to adapt to niche markets.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)

Role Overview: Neonatal NPs specialize in caring for newborns, especially premature infants or those with complex medical conditions, often working in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Their role includes performing advanced assessments, managing ventilators, prescribing medications, and coordinating with neonatologists to ensure the best possible outcomes for vulnerable patients.

Why It’s High Paying:

• Requires highly specialized training and clinical skills

• Deals with delicate, high-risk patients where precision and expertise are critical

• Shortage of experienced NNPs in certain states drives up pay rates

Typical Settings: Level III and IV NICUs, pediatric hospitals, and specialized maternity centers.

Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

Role Overview: Aesthetic NPs work in cosmetic medicine, performing non-surgical procedures such as Botox injections, dermal fillers, laser treatments, and skin rejuvenation therapies. They also consult with patients on skincare regimens and post-treatment care.

Why It’s High Paying:

• Services are elective and paid out-of-pocket, allowing clinics to set premium rates

• Growing popularity of minimally invasive cosmetic treatments

• Potential for commission-based or bonus structures in addition to salary

Typical Settings: Medical spas, dermatology clinics, and private aesthetic practices.

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

Role Overview: CNMs provide a full range of maternity and women’s health services, including prenatal care, labor and delivery support, postpartum follow-up, and gynecological care. They focus on a holistic and patient-centered approach, often integrating natural birthing techniques with modern medical practices.

Why It’s High Paying:

• Plays a critical role in maternal health, particularly in underserved areas

• Increasing demand for midwifery care as more families choose personalized birthing experiences

• Ability to practice in multiple settings, from hospitals to birthing centers and home births

Typical Settings: Hospitals, birthing centers, women’s health clinics, and private practices.

5. Educational Pathways for High-Paying APRN Roles

Securing one of the highest-paying APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) positions requires a combination of formal education, specialty training, and hands-on clinical experience. The pathway is structured to ensure APRNs have the advanced clinical knowledge, leadership skills, and specialty expertise needed to excel in complex healthcare environments.

Step 1: BSN → MSN or DNP

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

• The journey starts with earning a BSN, which provides foundational nursing knowledge in patient care, anatomy, pharmacology, and clinical practice.

• A BSN also prepares nurses for the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse (RN).

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

• An MSN is the minimum requirement for most APRN roles, offering specialized coursework and clinical training tailored to advanced practice.

• A DNP is the terminal degree in nursing practice, focusing on leadership, evidence-based practice, and healthcare system improvement, often preferred for top-tier roles or academic positions.

• Common focus areas include nurse practitioner specialties, nurse anesthesia, nurse midwifery, and clinical nurse specialist tracks.

Tip: Choosing between MSN and DNP often depends on career goals, MSN for quicker entry into practice, DNP for long-term leadership and policy roles.

Step 2: Specialty Certification

After completing graduate education, APRNs must earn national certification in their chosen specialty. This ensures they meet the professional standards and competencies required for advanced practice in that field.

Examples include:

• CRNA – Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (via NBCRNA)

• AGACNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (via ANCC or AACN)

• CNM – Certified Nurse Midwife (via AMCB)

• CNS – Clinical Nurse Specialist (various specialty boards)

Why It Matters:

• Employers often require certification for hiring and credentialing.

• It demonstrates advanced expertise, making you more competitive in high-paying travel and permanent roles.

Step 3: Clinical Residency or Fellowship

While not always mandatory, completing a residency or fellowship in your specialty can dramatically boost both your skill set and earning potential.

What It Involves:

• A structured program offering intensive, hands-on training under expert supervision.

• Focused on advanced clinical procedures, complex case management, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Examples:

• Acute Care NP Fellowships in trauma centers or critical care units

• Surgical NP Residencies in cardiothoracic or neurosurgery programs

• CRNA Residencies offering advanced anesthesia management experience

Benefits:

• Smooth transition from student to a fully independent, advanced practitioner

• Increased confidence in high-pressure, specialty-specific situations

• Preferred by many top hospitals and high-paying travel contract employers

6. Tips for Maximizing APRN Salary in 2025

Even within high-paying APRN roles, there are ways to strategically increase your earning potential. By aligning your skills and career decisions with market demand, you can position yourself for top compensation in the coming years.

1. Pursue In-Demand Specialties

• Certain APRN specialties, such as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Cardiovascular NPs, and Acute Care NPs, command significantly higher salaries due to skill scarcity and high-stakes responsibilities.

• Choosing one of these specialties can immediately place you in a higher pay bracket.

Example: A CRNA can earn more than double the average APRN salary because anesthesia care requires highly specialized expertise.

2. Gain Additional Certifications

• Beyond your core specialty certification, earning subspecialty or procedural certifications can make you more marketable and justify higher pay.

• Examples include Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), or certifications in wound care, oncology, or telehealth.

Why it works: Certifications show you’re not just qualified, you’re an expert. Employers and agencies often offer pay incentives for these credentials.

3. Consider Travel or Contract Work

• Travel APRNs can earn significantly more than permanent staff due to urgent staffing needs and short-term commitments.

• Contract work often includes housing stipends, travel reimbursements, and completion bonuses, boosting your overall compensation package.

Tip: Look for crisis contracts or seasonal needs in high-paying states for maximum earnings.

4. Relocate to High-Paying States

• Salary potential can vary dramatically based on location. States with higher cost of living or severe provider shortages, such as California, New York, and Alaska, tend to offer top wages.

• Relocating, even temporarily, can lead to significant short-term and long-term earnings growth.

Summary: To maximize your APRN salary in 2025, combine specialty selection, extra credentials, flexible contract work, and geographic mobility. The more adaptable and highly skilled you are, the more negotiating power you’ll have.

7. Career Outlook for APRNs Beyond 2025

The future for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses is exceptionally strong, and the demand is expected to grow well into the next several decades.

Driving Factors for Growth

1. Healthcare Expansion - As healthcare systems expand services, the need for APRNs to fill gaps in primary, acute, and specialty care will rise.

2. Physician Shortages - With fewer physicians entering certain specialties, APRNs are increasingly stepping into roles with expanded scope of practice.

3. Aging Population - The growing elderly demographic means a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, increasing demand for advanced nursing care.

4. Shift to Value-Based Care - Healthcare models that focus on quality outcomes over quantity of services rely heavily on APRNs for cost-effective, high-quality care delivery.

Long-Term Salary and Demand Trends

• High-paying specialties are likely to remain stable or increase in compensation due to ongoing demand and limited supply.

• States granting full practice authority to APRNs tend to offer better pay and job flexibility.

• Telehealth and mobile healthcare models are expected to open new income streams for APRNs who adapt early.

FAQs: Highest-Paying APRN Specialties 2025

Q1: Which APRN specialty is the most lucrative in 2025?

The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) remains the top earner, with some travel contracts exceeding $12,000 per week in high-demand areas.

Q2: Do I need a DNP to become an APRN?

It depends on the specialty. For CRNAs, a DNP is mandatory for new graduates starting 2025. For other roles, an MSN is still sufficient, though a DNP can improve leadership and salary potential.

Q3: Are travel APRN jobs worth it?

Yes, but they require flexibility. Travel APRNs can earn 30–50% more than staff counterparts, but contracts may involve frequent relocations and irregular schedules.

Q4: How can I switch specialties as an APRN?

Many APRNs pivot by completing a post-master’s certificate in their new specialty, plus any required clinical hours.

Q5: Which states pay APRNs the most?

California, Alaska, and New York often top the list for base pay. Rural, underserved states may offer even higher rates for urgent staffing needs.