South Carolina

Selecting a nursing specialty might be a difficult task, especially if you are a new graduate. To make the task of choosing a particular nursing specialty easier, we created a summary of the top five earning specialties in nursing. Certified registered nurse anesthetist is the top earning nursing specialty.

A nurse anesthetist job results in an annual salary of approximately $130,000. Obtaining a graduate nursing degree as well as passing a national certification exam are required of those interested in this specialty. Nurse researchers and psychiatric nurse practitioners are the next highest earning specialties in nursing, with an approximate yearly salary of $95,000. Nurse researchers are also known as nurse analysts. Their job requires at least a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing. Nurse midwifery is another area of nursing found in the top five earning specialties.

The certified nurse midwife has completed a graduate nursing education and successfully passed a certification exam. The median income of a certified nurse midwife is $84,000. Orthopedic nurses are last on our list of top earning nursing specialties, with an average annual salary of $81,000. A bachelor's degree in nursing and certification as an orthopedic nurse are usually required for securing this position in a hospital or surgery center.