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Considering a Nursing Career? Check Out the Top-Paying Jobs in Nursing

Nurses need to earn an MSN degree to reap the rewards of a larger paycheck.

If you’re considering a new career, you should know that nurses are in demand all over the world. This is due to a number of factors, including an aging population and increased access to healthcare.

Nursing is a versatile field, and some positions require an advanced degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), along with specialty in a specific area. Here’s a brief look at some of the top-paying nursing jobs. And while salaries are mentioned, it’s good to keep in mind that they can vary based on geographic location, level of education, working environment, and experience.

Considering a Nursing Career? Check Out the Top-Paying Jobs in Nursing

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AG-ACNPs) are responsible for promoting the health of patients and providing acute care. They administer acute care medicine, perform treatments, and assess patient needs that could indicate changes in the patient's condition. AG-ACNPs also document the patient's care plan using identified diagnoses, and they interact with patients and families and explain treatments. This specialty can earn an average of $92,486.*
  • Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: The need for mental healthcare is on the rise. Psychiatric NPs are specially trained to assess, diagnose, provide therapy, and prescribe medications for patients with psychiatric disorders and substance abuse issues. Earning a salary of about $101,135 per year on average, psychiatric NPs hold an MSN degree with specialty training.†
  • Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner: The aging population requires advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with unique skill sets to address their healthcare, and adult-gerontology NPs have advanced clinical training along with their MSN degree. According to Payscale, the average salary for adult-gerontology NPs is $89,478.‡
  • Family Nurse Practitioner: Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) address the primary care of individuals and families across the lifespan, and they perform many functions that a physician can. Their median annual salary is $91,331, and they require an MSN degree with specialization.§

The higher your education level, the more prepared you are to pursue top-paying nursing jobs and increase your earning potential. Walden University’s School of Nursing offers programs that can take you from an RN or BSN to an MSN as a nurse practitioner. In fact, Walden is the top producer of MSN graduates.** It offers a convenient and flexible online learning platform and nine MSN degree program specializations. Walden’s MSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

If you’ve been thinking about earning your MSN degree, now is a great time to do so. Not only will you position yourself for greater success in your nursing career, but your patients will benefit from the skills and knowledge you’ll acquire.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program through a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.


*Payscale, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Salary, on the internet at https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Adult_Gerontology_Acute_Care_Nurse_Practitioner/Salary

†PayScale, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salary, on the internet at www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Psychiatric_Nurse_Practitioner_(NP)/Salary.

‡PayScale, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) Salary, on the internet at www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Adult-Gerontology_Nurse_Practitioner_(AGNP)/Salary.

§PayScale, Family Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salary, on the internet at www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Family_Nurse_Practitioner_(NP)/Salary.

**Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) IPEDS database. Retrieved July 2017, using CIP code 51.3801 (Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse). Includes 2016 preliminary data.

Walden University’s DNP, MSN, and BSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, D.C. 20036, 1-202-887-6791. CCNE is a national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate education programs. For students, accreditation signifies program innovation and continuous self-assessment.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.

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