Which RNs get paid the most? Top 10 Specialties in 2025 (Highest Paying & Fastest Growing)

What if your next nursing job could pay you more than $100K+? As the demand for skilled RNs explodes, 2025 is redefining what it means to be a well-salaried nurse. Some specialty salaries are surging well beyond a six-figure scale, offering flexibility, career advancement and growth at a national level. 

Whether you’re just starting out or are looking for a deeper specialization, this guide will break down the top 10 highest-paying RN specialties as well as some of the fastest-growing. So it’s important to choose a specialty not just on passion, but a careful consideration into potential earnings for your career investment. 

And remember, whenever you seek to advance your career with a nursing school bridge program, Achieve is here for you whether you’re looking to go from LPN to RN, LPN to BSN or CNA to RN, among other pathways. 

Factors Influencing RN Salaries

Although many nurses go into their career for the love of helping patients, your specialty, location, education and place of work can play a major role in your earning potential. Here are the 4 biggest drivers to your salary prospects in 2025:  

• Education and Certification: RNs with advanced degrees like BSN, MSN or DNP can command $30,000 to $100,000 more than generalist RNs. 
• Experience: Salaries rise with years of nursing tenure while most specialty positions require 2-5 years of prior specialty experience. 
• Geographic Location: States including California, New York and Washington offer higher salaries given staffing shortages and the higher cost of living. Some California CRNAs earn upwards of $250K.
• Work Setting: Hospitals, surgical centers and travel contracts usually pay higher rates than schools or outpatient clinics.

If you’re looking to boost your salary, taking the factors into consideration will help you earn premium rates.  

Top 10 Highest-Paying RN Specialties in 2025

In 2025, here are the top 10 RN specialties leading the way in terms of salary given the unprecedented demand and staffing shortages:

Fastest-Growing RN Specialties (Future-Proof Your Career)

Given demographic trends, tech advancements and evolving patient needs, here are the most in-demand RN specialties that will help you future-proof your career and give your greater job stability:

Bonus: Strategies to Increase Earning Potential

If you are an RN seeking to be paid more their worth, there are clear, actionable strategies that could help boost your earning prospects. By implementing them, you can transition from only being paid from your time to being valued for your specialized expertise. Here’s how: 

• Pursue Advanced Degrees (BSN, MSN or DNP): Earning a higher degree will not only allow you to specialize in careers like NP or CRNA, but it also opens doors to leadership opportunities and greater career autonomy. 
• Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focusing on careers in informatics, anesthesia, mental health or geriatrics come with increased job security, especially in light of staffing shortages. 
• Consider Travel Nursing: Especially in high-need regions, travel nurses can offer short-term, high-paying salaries with greater opportunities for bonuses, housing stipends and more flexibility.  

Ready to Earn More – Faster?

Achieve Test Prep can help you fast-track your salary prospects with nursing bridge programs like LPN to RN, LPN to BSN and CNA to RN, among other pathways. If you are ready to boost your earning potential without putting your life on hold, we can get you there faster. Don’t just take our work for it; hear why so many satisfied customers love Achieve. Contact us today to discover how!