Highest Paid Nurse Practitioner (NP) Specialties

Considering becoming a nurse practitioner? You're probably wondering what the highest-paid nurse practitioner specialty is. Read on to learn about all the types of nurse practitioners and the salaries for each.

Highest Paying Nurse Practitioner Specialities

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in 2021 the median annual income for nurse practitioners was $123,780 per year. But there are a lot of different Nurse Practitioner specialties to choose from that will impact your duties and your salary. Let's take a look at some of the most popular ones.

1. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner - $139,118
2. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - $130,314
3. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - $123,175
4. Emergency Nurse Practitioner - $118,983
5. Oncology Nurse Practitioner - $118,101
6. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - $113,406
7. Family Nurse Practitioner - $110,273
8. Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner - $108,430
9. Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner  - $100,035
10. Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner - $98,881
11. Women's Health Nurse Practitioner - $96,587

1. Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - $139,118

A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner focuses on mental illnesses in the same way in which psychiatrists do. You’ll treat patients, prescribe medication, and/or counsel those who suffer from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and other disorders.

>> Related: Top 10 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs

The official credential you’ll earn via the ANCC is Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (PMHNP-BC).

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Salary

According to Indeed, the average psychiatric nurse practitioner salary is $139,118 per year, but this will vary based on your years of experience, where you work, and more.

---

2. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - $130,314

Neonatal nurse practitioners care for premature and sick newborns including diagnosing them, providing treatment plans, and prescribing medication. They also can assist in delivering patients in certain settings. 

>>Related: How to Become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Most commonly NNPs work in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, but they can work in a variety of healthcare settings.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Salary

Salary.com reports that the median salary for an NNP as of May 2022 was $130,314. 

Show Me Nurse Practitioner Programs

---

3. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - $123,175

Acute Care NPs see patients when they are sick, admitted to the hospital, or after a surgical procedure and/or trauma. Their focus is solely on caring for the adult population with complex diseases.

>>Related: How to Become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Salary

Glassdoor reports that the average Acute Care Nurse Practitioner salary in the U.S. is $123,175 per year. 

Show Me Nurse Practitioner Programs

---

4. Emergency Nurse Practitioner - $118,983

If you work well in high-pressure environments, becoming an Emergency Nurse Practitioner may be right for you. Emergency Nurse Practitioners assess, diagnose and manage injuries and illnesses that need urgent care. 

In many states, emergency nurse practitioners can work autonomously, without oversight from physicians.  

>>Related: How to Become an Emergency Nurse Practitioner

Emergency Nurse Practitioner Salary

According to Salary.com, the median annual salary for an Emergency Nurse Practitioner in the United States is $118,983.

---

5. Oncology Nurse Practitioner - $118,101

Oncology nurse practitioners work with patients undergoing cancer treatment. They collaborate with other healthcare providers including physicians to develop treatment plans for cancer patients. 

Oncology Nurse Practitioner Salary

According to salary.com, the median annual salary for an oncology NP as of May 2022 is $118,101 but the range typically falls between $111,201 and $122,401.

>> Related: How to Become an Oncology Nurse Practitioner

---

6. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - $113,406

If you love working with children, from infants to adolescents, becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner is the perfect fit for you.

>>Related: How to Become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Your practice will focus on the primary health care of young patients to help them achieve healthy physical and emotional development. Upon completing the certification exam, you’ll earn the designation of PPCNP-BC (Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified). 

Show Me Nurse Practitioner Programs

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Salary

According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a pediatric nurse practitioner in the United States is $113,406 per year.

---

7. Family Nurse Practitioner - $110,273

If you want to be a “jack of all trades” type of NP, the FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified) designation allows you the most flexibility to work within a healthcare setting, or to open your own practice.

>> Related: How to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner

These NPs work in a similar way to family doctors. Most often, they work in hospitals, medical offices, or clinics, but some have their own practices. They diagnose and treat patients, provide wellness check-ups, prescribe medication, and more.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Salary

According to ZipRecruiter, the national average salary for Family Nurse Practitioners is $110,273. 

---

8. Adult-Gerontology  Nurse Practitioner - $108,430

If you want to focus on providing care of a more serious nature to adults and to the elderly, you can choose to become an ACNPC-AG, which stands for Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Adult-Gerontology.

>>Related: How to Become an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Acute care refers to working with patients who have more serious health issues, which is why these NPs typically work in hospital emergency rooms or ICUs. 

If you’re not interested in treating younger patients, you might consider choosing to become an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. Like the Family NP, you’ll provide primary care, usually in outpatient settings like clinics or medical offices.

You’ll typically work with adults, but mostly aging patients who come in for routine visits, or who have minor or chronic illnesses. 

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Salary

According to Glassdoor.com, Adult-Gerontology NPs make, on average, $108,430 per year. Payscale.com reports an average annual salary of Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners of $90,391.

---

9. Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner - $100,035

An orthopedic Nurse Practitioner focuses on the care and treatment of patients suffering from musculoskeletal problems. These can include disease and/or injuries of the bones, muscles, joints, and supporting connective tissue. 

>>Related: How to Become an Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner

Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner Salary

According to Payscale, the average salary for an Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner as of June 2022 is $100,035.

---

10. Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner - $98,881

Aesthetic Nurse Practitioners are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who specialize in cosmetic medical procedures that improve their patients’ appearance. 

>>Related: How to Become an Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

They examine and evaluate patients, counsel them on a variety of procedures, perform those procedures, and care for them as they recover. Aesthetic Nurse Practitioners can even own and operate their own cosmetic clinics. 

Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner Salary

According to Ziprecruiter.com, the average national salary for an Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner is $98,881.

---

11. Women's Health Nurse Practitioner - $96,587

A Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) specializes in the comprehensive care of women throughout their lives. They focus on reproductive, obstetric, and gynecological health for women of all ages.

>>Related: How to Become a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Salary

According to Payscale.com, Women’s Health NPs make on average $96,587 per year. Salary.com reports a median annual salary of $120,731 per year but the range typically falls between $113,375 and $129,508.