10 highest paying nursing jobs in 2023
While not everyone prioritizes the salary in deciding which nursing job to take, it remains a significant factor. If you are looking for a new career path, here are the ten highest-paying nursing jobs in 2023 that you can explore.
1. Chief nurse anesthetist
Topping the list of 10 highest paying nursing jobs in 2023 is being a chief nurse anesthetist. Chief nurse anesthetists are the heads of nurse anesthetist teams who supervise them in terms of operations.
The annual salary of a chief nurse anesthetist ranges from $149,000 to $208,000. This role is critical because chief nurse anesthetists have to ensure that patients in their department are taken care of while they manage the nurses in their team.
Aside from your license as a nurse, you need to have a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree for the role. You must also get certification through the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) and have sufficient work experience.
2. Certified registered nurse anesthetist
Following the chief position in our list of 10 highest paying nursing jobs in 2023 is the profession under the former’s team, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNAs). CRNAs work under the anesthesia department for surgical operations. They administer anesthesia with the guidance and supervision of doctors.
If you are a CRNA, expect to earn $133,000 to $208,000 annually. To get this job, you must have either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a DNP. You also need the NBCRNA certification and clinical experience.
3. Chief nursing informatics officer
If you like information technology, consider being a Chief Nursing Informatics Officer (CNIO). The CNIO ensures that the nursing staff is knowledgeable about tools and technology used in information systems.
The estimated salary of CNIOs per year is $115,800, which can even go up to $217,900. Did you know that CNIOs are sought after? They are both equipped with clinical skills and information technology expertise.
In addition to your nursing license, you should have an MSN or DNP plus many years of experience in the information technology field to qualify to be a CNIO.
4. Chief nurse
Acting as a chief nurse is also among the highest-paying nursing jobs. As the chief nurse, you must be on top of the day-to-day operations of the nurses in your facility. You do both clinical and supervisory roles.
Chief nurses earn between $105,000 to $197,700 in a year. If this role sounds interesting, be sure that you have an MSN or DNP degree. You also need certification from various nursing organizations and significant experience.
5. Travel nurse
Being a travel nurse has become quite popular among the nursing community. For one, you get to enjoy flexibility in terms of your schedule. Travel nurses work in temporary positions in various institutions, depending on the assignments given by their agencies.
Yearly income as a travel nurse can go from $78,900 to $171,800, depending on the hours you render work. The good thing about being a travel nurse is that you do not need post-graduate studies to qualify. A nursing license will do just fine.
6. Pain management nurse
Pain management nurses help patients who are in chronic pain and discomfort. They are among the highest paid in the field because they have specialized expertise and better knowledge of pain management.
This type of nurse can earn $76,400 to $166,000 a year. There are no other qualifications aside from a license to be a pain management nurse. However, those who often work as one have relevant experience in their specialization.
7. Neuroscience nurse
If you’ve noticed, specialized nurses have better pay. Such is the case for neuroscience nurses. They care for patients with neurological conditions like traumatic brain injury, dementia, and cerebral palsy, to name a few.
These specialized nurses in neuroscience get an annual pay between $73,300 to $159,000. Same as the other specializations, a nursing license is the only prerequisite. However, certifications and training do help.
8. Neonatal nurse
Being a neonatal nurse is among the most in-demand and highest-paying nursing jobs in 2023. This nursing specialty takes care of newborn babies up to 28 days, particularly those born prematurely and sick.
Since this type of care is so specialized, neonatal nurses are paid well. They earn $131,000 in a year. It can even go as high as $151,000. You can start being one with just a license, but it takes determination and hard work to stay in your job.
9. Cardiac nurse
Cardiac nurses also get good compensation. These nurses are in-charge of patients who have cardiovascular ailments. They often work in residential and home care institutions where heart patients stay.
A cardiac nurse makes $120,000 to $135,000 in a year. If you have solid experience as a nurse, take the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses exam to become a cardiac nurse.
10. Orthopedic nurse
Aside from the specialties above, orthopedic nursing also pays well. Orthopedic nurses work on musculoskeletal cases involving an accident or injury and recovering or rehabilitating.
Nurses in this specialty have a yearly income between $119,000 to $133,000. You need an MSN, though, to be an orthopedic nurse. In addition to work experience, you have to pass the exam facilitated by the Orthopedic Nurses Certification Board.
Get your next highest paying nursing job this 2023
To land a position among the ten highest-paying nursing jobs in 2023, you need post-graduate studies or certifications from specialty boards. Chief positions and specialized nurses have higher pay because of their expertise and knowledge.