Top Nurse Practitioner Salaries of 2023
OK— so step 1, you are interested in becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Step 2, deciding which clinical track to pursue. When thinking about the clinical track to pursue you need to consider 5 important factors. What are you actually interested in? What settings do you want to work in? What schedule do you want? Where do you see yourself both personally and professionally in 5 & 10 years? What is the compensation like?
While the answers to those questions are subjective, here is some objective information about the top 6 highest paid NP salaries in 2023 —and settings you may find them working in.
#1—Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) is the highest paying Nurse Practitioner speciality in 2023. The average salary is a whopping 145, 348 per year. This number varies on geographical location, years of experience, clinical setting, etc. You can work in a variety of clinical settings including inpatient mental health facilities, outpatient clinics/offices, or remote (working from home sounds nice, right?) Stay tuned on our next blog post —top PMHNP programs and why.
#2—Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) is the second highest paying Nurse Practitioner speciality in 2023. The average salary is 135,023. This speciality is near and dear to me, as I spend the beginning of my bedside nursing career in the NICU. Most NNPs work inpatient but depending on where you are located, there may be some outpatient options, too.
#3—Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner is the third highest paying Nurse Practitioner speciality in 2023. The average salary is 131, 543. The aesthetics industry is booming and NPs can play a vital role in helping us all age a little less. Many aesthetic nurse practitioners love aesthetics because it brings out their ability to be creative, have a flexible schedule (no 12 hour shifts or overnights) and potential to open their own practice. Many NPs have FNP or AGNP certifications and obtain additional training for this industry.
#4— Emergency Nurse practitioner is the fourth highest paying Nurse Practitioner speciality in 2023. The salary is around $130,855. The most common settings to find an Emergency Nurse practitioner may include the emergency department, urgent care, trauma/gen surgery. Some programs offer “emergency nurse practitioner concentrations”. Depending on the trauma level, you may see FNPs (with previous experience as an ER nurse) or AGACNPs in this setting.
#5—Acute Care Nurse Practitioner is the fifth highest paying Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) speciality in 2023. The average salary amongst AGACNPs is around 129,608. AGACNPs work in a variety of clinical settings including ED, surgery, ICU, hospital medicine, LTACHs, urgent cares and various specialities that may offer mix of IP rounds and clinic hours. If you like doing procedures this may be the best track for you. Some AGACNPs may intubate, put in central lines, chest tubes, and other various inpatient procedures.
#6—Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is the sixth highest paying Nurse Practitioner speciality in 2023. The average salary is around 128, 141 per year. An FNP can work in the outpatient setting seeing patients of all ages from birth to death. You may find FNPs working in retail health, urgent cares, hospital medicine and speciality practices.
It's important to keep in mind that salaries can vary based on factors such as location, experience, education, and the specific healthcare setting. The highest paying nurse practitioner specialties in 2023 may differ from historical trends, so it's best to refer to current data from reliable sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or salary survey websites for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, speaking with healthcare professionals in your area and industry experts can also provide valuable insights into the current salary landscape for nurse practitioners.
Ultimately, take your time to explore each specialty, talk to practicing NPs, and perhaps consider shadowing or doing a clinical rotation in the specialties that interest you the most. This hands-on experience can provide valuable insights into what the day-to-day work is like in each specialty and help you make an informed decision based on your personal preferences and professional goals.
