7 Highest Paying Nursing Jobs in 2026 (With Job Search Tips)

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) lead nursing salaries in 2026, with averages between $223,210 and $231,700 according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Family Nurse Practitioners earn a median of $123,460 per Salary.com, with ranges from $101,000 to $174,000 and an average of $124,000. These figures help U.S. nursing job seekers set filters on platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Nurse Fern to prioritize listings above $120,000.

Other options include Gerontological Nurse Practitioners at $111,760 average, Informatics Nurses at $97,378 average from Glassdoor, and specialized hospital Nurse Practitioners exceeding $167,000. Remote roles like Nurse Informatics Specialists offer $90,000 to $130,000, while remote Nurse Practitioners range from $95,000 to $135,000. General Nurse Practitioners average around $132,000 nationwide.

Nursing job seekers can use these benchmarks to target high-salary postings. On Indeed, filter for "CRNA" with salary over $220,000. LinkedIn suits networking for Family Nurse Practitioner roles above $120,000. Nurse Fern excels for remote nursing listings in informatics or practitioner positions.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs): The Top Earner

CRNAs top nursing salaries in 2026, averaging $223,210 to $231,700 annually based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This positions them as premium earners in healthcare settings like hospitals and surgical centers.

Geographic variations boost potential further. In Illinois, Nurse Anesthetists reach a mean annual salary of $281,240, making it a prime state to target. Job seekers should scan healthcare job boards for CRNA openings in high-wage areas.

To find these roles, use Indeed or LinkedIn with keywords like "CRNA" and salary filters starting at $220,000. Nurse Fern may list travel or locum tenens CRNA positions with competitive pay. Set alerts for new postings to act quickly on high-paying opportunities.

Family Nurse Practitioners: Strong Median Pay Nationwide

Family Nurse Practitioners deliver reliable high earnings across the U.S., with a 2026 median salary of $123,460. The range spans $101,000 to $174,000, with an average of $124,000.

This aligns closely with the broader Nurse Practitioner average of about $132,000 from recent wage statistics. These metrics support broad searches on general job platforms, as Family Nurse Practitioners work in clinics, primary care, and outpatient settings.

On LinkedIn, search "Family Nurse Practitioner" and filter salaries above $120,000 to surface nationwide listings. Indeed offers location-based filters to compare against state averages. For quicker results, enable job alerts tailored to this salary threshold.

Other High-Paying Nursing Specialties to Target

Beyond CRNAs and Family Nurse Practitioners, several specialties offer strong pay in 2026. Gerontological Nurse Practitioners average $111,760 annually, focusing on elder care in long-term facilities.

Informatics Nurses earn an average of $97,378 per Glassdoor data, blending nursing with technology in health systems. Hospital-specialized Nurse Practitioners can exceed $167,000, particularly in acute care environments.

These roles appear on mainstream boards. Filter Indeed for "Gerontological Nurse Practitioner" or "Informatics Nurse" with minimum salaries matching these benchmarks--$110,000 for gerontology, $95,000 for informatics. LinkedIn's advanced search helps identify hospital NP postings over $160,000.

Remote Nursing Jobs with Top Salaries

Remote nursing roles maintain high pay potential in 2026, appealing to those seeking flexibility. Nurse Informatics Specialists range from $90,000 to $130,000 yearly, handling data and telehealth from home.

Remote Nurse Practitioners earn $95,000 to $135,000, often in virtual care or consulting. These fit platforms designed for remote healthcare work.

Nurse Fern stands out for remote nursing listings, including informatics and practitioner roles at these salary levels. Cross-check with Indeed's remote filter using "remote Nurse Practitioner" and salary over $95,000. LinkedIn remote job toggles reveal telehealth opportunities matching top ranges.

Salary Comparison Table: Highest Paying Nursing Jobs

Role	Median/Avg Salary	Range	Best Job Search Platforms
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)	$223,210–$231,700 avg	N/A	Indeed, LinkedIn (filter >$220k)
Family Nurse Practitioners	$123,460 median / $124,000 avg	$101k–$174k	LinkedIn, Indeed (filter >$120k)
Nurse Practitioners (general)	$132,000 avg	N/A	Indeed, LinkedIn
Gerontological Nurse Practitioners	$111,760 avg	N/A	Indeed (filter >$110k)
Hospital Nurse Practitioners	$167k+	N/A	LinkedIn (hospital filters)
Informatics Nurse	$97,378 avg	N/A	Nurse Fern, Indeed
Remote Nurse Informatics Specialists	N/A	$90k–$130k	Nurse Fern (remote)
Remote Nurse Practitioners	N/A	$95k–$135k	Nurse Fern, Indeed remote

This table highlights pay potential to guide platform choices. Prioritize Nurse Fern for remote entries and Indeed for volume in top roles.

Job Seeker Guide: Targeting These Roles on Job Boards

U.S. nursing job seekers can streamline searches for high-paying roles using these workflows.

Select platforms by role: Start with Nurse Fern for remote Informatics Nurse ($90k–$130k) or Practitioner positions ($95k–$135k). Use Indeed for CRNA volume and LinkedIn for Family NP networking.
Apply salary filters: On Indeed, set "CRNA" or "Nurse Practitioner" with >$120,000 (adjust to $220k for CRNAs). LinkedIn's salary tool benchmarks against $123k+ for Family NPs.
Use keywords and alerts: Search "Informatics Nurse remote" on Nurse Fern; enable daily alerts on all platforms for Gerontological NP over $110k.
Refine by location: Target Illinois on Indeed for CRNA means near $281k; compare state data via platform tools.

For employers recruiting CRNAs or NPs: Post on healthcare platforms using these benchmarks--$223k+ for CRNAs, $123k+ for Family NPs--to attract candidates. Nurse Fern aids remote hiring.

Next, update your resume with specialty keywords, then run targeted searches today.