
With a median annual salary of $135,000, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) have some of the highest salaries in the nursing profession. These CRNAs work with surgeons, dentists, podiatrists, anesthesiologists, and other doctors in administering anesthesia to patients. This is an advanced type of nursing career; and only admits licensed registered nurses into specialty training programs.
A research nurse works as analyst and assists in collecting data about specific pharmaceutical, medical, or nursing products. He publishes research studies based on the data collected and helps doctors and scientists in understanding the complications of medical conditions.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners focus on providing care for patients suffering from psychiatric and mental disorders. As an advanced nursing career, psychiatric nurse aspirants must pursue a master’s degree in mental health nursing and must be certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Psychiatric nurses are also among the highest paid in the field; with average annual salaries of around $95,000.
Nurse midwives specialize in handling childbirth and providing prenatal and postpartum care. Due to the unpredictable nature of childbirth, midwifery is one of the many healthcare jobs that have highly irregular work hours. Because of this, the compensation is quite rewarding, with the median annual salary of a nurse midwife at around $84,000.
The work of a neonatal nurse revolves around caring for sick or premature infants. While the primary responsibility of a neonatal nurse is to provide medical care for newborns, the job often also entails educating and providing emotional support to family members. You can enter this field with a diploma, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree. This specialization offers high earning potential, usually around $75,000 annually.