15 Highest Paying RN Jobs in 2026: Salaries, Specialties & Career Paths
Discover the top-paying RN careers with 2026 salary projections, including specialties like Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and flight nursing. We'll compare states, reveal CRNA vs NP salaries, and share insights on BSN vs ADN differences, certifications, rural vs urban pay gaps, and strategies to boost your earnings.
Quick Answer: The Best Paying RN Job in 2026
The #1 best-paying RN job in 2026 is Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), with median salaries projected at $214,200 nationwide and up to $246,510 in California (BLS-derived projections). CRNAs top the list due to their advanced skills in anesthesia administration, high demand (40%+ APRN growth), and autonomy in surgical settings.
Top 3 Highest-Paying RN Jobs:
- CRNA: $214,200 median (high: $246K in CA) – Requires DNP/MSN + certification.
- Nurse Practitioner (NP): $132,050 median (PMHNP: $139,486) – 35% job growth through 2034.
- RN Leadership (e.g., Director of Nursing): $125,000–$235,000 – Needs MSN/DNP + experience.
These figures are based on BLS, ZipRecruiter, and 2026 projections accounting for 6-40% RN/APRN growth amid shortages.
Key Takeaways & Salary Summary Table (2026 Projections)
Quick Summary:
- CRNA dominates at $214K+ due to specialization and scarcity.
- APRN roles like NP and midwives offer $120K–$140K with strong growth (35-40%).
- Specialty RNs (flight, ICU/OR) earn premiums via travel/per diem.
- Education matters: BSN adds ~$15K over ADN; certifications boost 10-20%.
- Location premium: CA/HI/OR pay 20-50% more; rural areas lag.
| Rank | Specialty | Median Salary (2026 Proj.) | Growth (2024-2034) | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CRNA | $214,200 ($246K CA) | 40% | DNP/MSN + 1-2 yrs ICU |
| 2 | Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $132,050 (PMHNP $139K) | 35% | MSN/DNP |
| 3 | Neonatal NP | $110,000+ | 40% | MSN + NICU exp. |
| 4 | Certified Nurse Midwife | $129,650 | 6-40% | MSN |
| 5 | Flight Nurse | $109,709 | 6% | BSN + critical care cert. |
| 6 | RN Informatics Specialist | $101K-$150K | 6%+ | BSN/MSN + informatics cert. |
| 7 | Director of Nursing | $125K-$235K | Varies | MSN/DNP + 10+ yrs |
| 8 | ICU/OR Nurse (premium) | $101K+ (travel) | 6% | CCRN/CNOR certs |
| 9 | Psychiatric NP | $139,486 | 35% | MSN-PMHNP |
| 10 | Travel/Per Diem RN | $101K+ | High demand | RN license + exp. |
Sources: BLS, ZipRecruiter, Joyce.edu, NKU projections adjusted for 2026 inflation/growth.
Top 10 Highest Paying RN Specialties in 2026
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Salary 2026
CRNAs administer anesthetics for 45M+ procedures yearly, earning $214,200 median (BLS). In CA, highs hit $246K. Day-to-day: Pre-op assessments, monitoring during surgery. Requirements: BSN → MSN/DNP (2-3 yrs) + 1-2 yrs ICU. Growth: 40% as surgeries rise.
Psychiatric & Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Trends
Psychiatric-Mental Health NPs (PMHNPs) average $139,486 (ZipRecruiter), outpacing family NPs at $127K. Demand surges with mental health crises (35% growth). Neonatal NPs earn $110K+ in NICUs, stabilizing preemies (40% APRN growth). Both need MSN + specialty certs.
Flight, ICU & OR Nurse High-Pay Opportunities
Flight nurses average $109,709 (2025 data, projected stable), transporting critical patients via air (Joyce.edu). Day-to-day: Stabilize en route to ICUs; requires BSN + 2-5 yrs ER/ICU. ICU/OR nurses command premiums ($101K+ travel rates) with CCRN/CNOR certs. OR top cities like San Francisco offer 20% boosts.
CRNA vs NP Salary Comparison 2026: Which Pays More?
CRNAs crush NPs in pay but demand more education. BLS medians show CRNA at $214K vs NP $132K, reconciled with ZipRecruiter highs (PMHNP $139K).
| Aspect | CRNA | NP (e.g., PMHNP) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $214K ($246K CA) | $132K-$139K |
| Education | DNP/MSN + ICU exp. (3-5 yrs total) | MSN (2 yrs) |
| Pros | High autonomy, procedure focus | Broader primary care, 35% growth |
| Cons | Intense call shifts, high stress | Lower pay ceiling, admin duties |
| Job Outlook | 40% growth | 35% growth |
CRNA wins for max earnings; NP for flexibility.
RN Salary by Location: Highest Paying States & Cities 2026 (Rural vs Urban)
Top states: CA ($246K CRNA, $133K RN), HI, OR (USAHS). OR cities like Portland lead for OR nurses. NPs thrive in NJ/TN/FL (28-51% growth).
Rural vs Urban: Urban pays 20-30% more; rural nurses are older (1.3 yrs avg.), earn less, face higher turnover (42.8% vs 33.7%, VHA/PMC). Rural OK: Higher poverty (15.4%), uninsured (15.7%), death rates (9.6%). Case: CA CRNA at $246K vs rural OK RN ~$70K (adjusted).
Travel RN, Per Diem & Contract Rates 2026: Boost Your Earnings
Travel RNs average $101K+, 20-50% over staff via 13-week contracts (Nightingale). Per diem: $60-$100/hr. Tips: Target shortages in CA/TX; stack certs. Beats staff RN ($86K-$93K median) but less stability.
RN Leadership Roles & Highest Salaries 2026
Directors earn $125K-$235K (San Diego U); other roles $69K-$185K. Req: MSN/DNP + 10-15 yrs exp. Case: Thomas U DNP grad lands executive role shaping policy. Growth aligns with RN demand (6%).
BSN vs ADN RN Salary Difference & Certification Bonuses 2026
BSN RNs: $85K avg vs ADN $70K (~$15K gap, Sumner). BSNs access better jobs (71.7% employers prefer). Certs like CCRN add $10K-$20K premiums (Prolink). 2026 proj: Gap widens with Magnet hospitals mandating BSN.
How to Land the Best Paying RN Job: Step-by-Step Checklist
- Earn BSN (20 months, Joyce.edu) over ADN for $15K+ boost.
- Pursue MSN/DNP for APRN (CRNA/NP, 2-3 yrs).
- Get certs: CCRN, CNRN, CNOR for 10-20% pay bumps.
- Target high-pay states: CA, HI, OR; urban over rural.
- Go travel/per diem: $101K+ contracts; negotiate.
- Build exp: 2+ yrs ICU/ER for flight/CRNA.
Timeline: ADN → RN (2 yrs) → BSN (1 yr online) → MSN (2 yrs) = high-pay in 5 yrs.
Pros & Cons of Top High-Paying RN Careers
| Career | Pros | Cons | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRNA | $214K+, autonomy | 3-5 yr education, stress | 40% |
| NP | $132K, flexibility | Admin load | 35% |
| Flight Nurse | $109K, adrenaline | High risk, shifts | 6% |
| Leadership | $125K-$235K, influence | Mgmt stress | Varies |
Overall: High pay offsets stress; shortages ensure 6-40% growth (BLS).
FAQ
What is the highest paying RN specialty in 2026?
CRNA at $214,200 median ($246K in CA).
CRNA vs NP: Which has better salary in 2026?
CRNA ($214K) > NP ($132K-$139K); CRNA for max pay, NP for quicker entry.
What are the top paying states for nurse practitioners 2026?
CA, HI, OR, NJ, TN (high growth + salaries).
How much do travel RNs earn per contract in 2026?
$101K+ annually; $60-$100/hr per diem.
BSN vs ADN: Salary difference for RNs?
BSN $85K vs ADN $70K (~$15K gap).
What certifications boost RN pay the most?
CCRN (ICU), CNOR (OR), informatics – 10-20% premiums.