11 Highest Paid Nurse Practitioner (NP) Specialties

1. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - $157,580

Acute care nurse practitioners 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 adults with complex diseases.

Many critically ill or injured patients require specialized care that ACNPs are specifically trained to provide. ACNPs also work alongside physicians, nurses, and other ancillary medical staff to provide immediate and ongoing assistance to patients.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Salary

Glassdoor reports that the average acute care nurse practitioner salary in the U.S. is $157,580 per year. 

2. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - $138,081

Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) 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.

Most commonly NNPs work in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, but they can work in a variety of healthcare settings. The technical skills required to be an NNP make it one of the highest-paid nurse practitioner specialties.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Salary

Salary.com reports that the median neonatal nurse practitioner salary is $138,081 per year.

3. Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - $134,571

Psychiatric nurse practitioners focus on mental illnesses in the same way psychiatrists do. They treat patients, prescribe medication, and/or counsel those who suffer from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and other disorders.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Salary

According to Indeed, the average psychiatric nurse practitioner salary is $134,571 per year.

4. Emergency Nurse Practitioner - $134,121

Emergency nurse practitioners assess, diagnose, and manage injuries and illnesses that need urgent care. They are highly dedicated professionals whose work and quick responses save lives each and every day.

Emergency Nurse Practitioner Salary

According to Salary.com, the median annual salary for an emergency nurse practitioner in the United States is $134,121.

5. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - $130,987

Pediatric nurse practitioners  focus on the primary health care of young patients to help them achieve healthy physical and emotional development. PNPs offer a range of care from check-ups and immunizations to diagnosing illnesses and treating chronic and acute conditions.

Aspiring PNPs can select from in-person and online pediatric nurse practitioner programs. Graduating from a PNP course takes 2-4 years, culminating in a master's or doctoral degree.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Salary

According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a pediatric nurse practitioner in the United States is $130,987 per year.

6. Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner - $130,295

Aesthetic nurse practitioners specialize in cosmetic medical procedures that improve their patient’s appearance. As this specialty grows in popularity and demand, so does its high salary.

Aesthetic nurse practitioners examine and evaluate patients, counsel them on a variety of procedures, perform those procedures, and care for them as they recover. In some states, they 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 $130,295 per year.

7. Family Nurse Practitioner - $127,976

Family nurse practitioners work in a similar way to family doctors, which is one reason they're among the highest-paid nurse practitioner specialties. They most often work in hospitals, medical offices, or clinics, but some have their own practices.

FNPs provide family-focused medical care to individuals and groups throughout the lifespan. The most common FNP duties include diagnosing and treating patients, providing wellness check-ups, and prescribing medication.

Family Nurse Practitioner Salary

According to ZipRecruiter, the national average FNP salary is $127,976 per year.

>> Show Me Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs

8. Oncology Nurse Practitioner - $125,701

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 is $125,701 per year.

9. Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner - $107,530

Adult gerontology nurse practitioners provide care to adults and to the elderly.

Similar to family nurse practitioners, AGNPs provide primary care, usually in outpatient settings like clinics or medical offices. They 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

Payscale.com reports the average annual salary of adult gerontology nurse practitioners is $107,530. 

>> Show Me Online Adult-Gerontology NP Programs

10. Women's Health Nurse Practitioner - $101,569

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.

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Salary

According to Payscale.com, Women’s Health NPs make, on average, $101,569 per year. 

11. Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner - $100,035

Orthopedic nurse practitioners focus on caring for and treating patients suffering from musculoskeletal problems. These problems can include disease and/or injuries of the bones, muscles, joints, and supporting connective tissue. 

Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner Salary

According to Payscale, the average salary for an orthopedic nurse practitioner is $100,035.