When people decide to become nurses, they want to help others. Patient care is prioritized, whether taking vitals in a clinic or conducting assessments in a hospital, this is why the top best paying jobs in hospital/nursing management are central to this write-up.
As you progress through nursing school, you will learn about the best-paying jobs in the nursing management and the benefits that come with each.
There are numerous best-paying jobs in nursing management, ranging from midwifery to gerontological care and anesthesiology to nursing administration, each with its own set of advantages that appeal to different students.
Of course, one of the most significant advantages of nursing is your pay. Different specialties may pay differently depending on your level of education and experience. As a result, we are frequently asked, “What are the highest-paying nursing jobs?”
To put this in context, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the average* salary* for Registered Nurses in the United States is around $78,000 per year or around $37.00 per hour.
While a high-paying nursing job sounds appealing, when selecting a nursing specialty, it’s critical to consider your interests, or what you’re most passionate about.
The salary you will earn as an RN depends on your location, industry, and level of training and experience.
There are also ways to earn more money in a nursing career, such as promotions, leadership positions, or increased job responsibilities.
This article will discuss the 15 best paying jobs in hospital/nursing management and their salaries.
Although most nurses do not choose their careers solely for financial reasons, they provide an invaluable service to their communities, and their compensation is critical. Keeping this in mind, here is a list of the top-paying nursing specialties.
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Table of contents
What job in the hospital pays the most?
The best paying jobs in the hospital are physicians and surgeons. The median annual salary for physicians and surgeons is $208,000. This works out to $100 per hour on average. Not a bad salary, and it makes sense that it is ranked first on our list of the highest-paying jobs in healthcare.
A physician is someone who diagnoses medical illnesses or injuries. A physician must first obtain a medical history from the patient. This data will be entered into the patient’s chart and updated each time the patient visits the doctor.
The physician may need to order tests in order to diagnose the patient’s illness. Other employees will handle this.
Another best-paying job in hospitals is that of the surgeon. Surgeons are physicians who provide surgical care to their patients. This is how they treat diseases, injuries, and deformities.
The surgeon is specifically trained to use instruments designed to repair damaged bone tissue and physical deformities. Cosmetic surgery can also be performed by surgeons.
What are the lower-stressful jobs in hospital/nurse management?
As you are well aware, aside from trying to find the best paying jobs in hospitals, there are no such things as stress-free or easy nursing jobs. However, there are alternatives that may involve fewer of the high-pressure situations that some nurses face.
Continue reading to learn about some of the least stressful nursing positions that may be of interest to you.
1. Nurse Educator
There are nurses and aspiring nurses who are trained by medical professionals. Some nurse educators are employed by healthcare systems to provide continuing education training to established licensed nurses.
Other nurse educators teach nursing students at academic institutions. This position is ideal for those who want to work in a low-stress nursing environment while maintaining their medical training and staying up to date on new developments in the healthcare world.
2. Long-term care nurse
Long-term care (LTC) nurses, as the name suggests, care for patients whose injuries, illnesses, or conditions necessitate extended medical supervision.
These nurses typically care for elderly patients in nursing homes, assisted living communities, or PACE facilities. LTC nurses give medications, perform regular check-ins, and deal with any urgent health issues.
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3. Nurse administrator
Nurse administrators continue to work in healthcare facilities, but they are no longer involved in direct patient care.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), they spend their days focused on administrative duties such as planning, directing, and coordinating medical and health services.
4. Clinic research nurse
Clinical research is an important part of medical innovation. Clinical trials and testing are required for every new drug, treatment, or medical device, and clinical research nurses play an important role in this process.
They are in charge of screening and recruiting patients for clinical trials, as well as ensuring accurate recording of vital patient information and working to ensure regulatorily and study protocol compliance.
Research nurses frequently work with a consistent and specific subset of patients, such as those suffering from kidney disease or cancer.
5. School or summer camp nurse
Clinical research is an important part of medical innovation. Clinical trials and testing are required for every new drug, treatment, or medical device, and clinical research nurses play an important role in this process.
They are in charge of screening and recruiting patients for clinical trials, as well as ensuring accurate recording of vital patient information and working to ensure regulatorily and study protocol compliance.
Research nurses frequently work with a consistent and specific subset of patients, such as those suffering from kidney disease or cancer.
What are the less-paying jobs in hospital/nurse management?
According to the Advance for NPs and PAs annual survey, nurse practitioners in these specialties have the lowest salaries.
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1. Nursing Practitioner for Walk-in Clinics ($95,414)
Nurse practitioners who work in a walk-in clinic see patients who do not have appointments for care. This specialty’s NPs frequently treat patients with acute illnesses and injuries such as sprains and strains, bronchitis, and influenza.
2, Nursing Practitioner in Internal Medicine ($95,136)
Internal medicine nurse practitioners specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating adult diseases. Internal medicine NPs are qualified to practice in primary care settings for adults.
Still, they are uniquely eligible to practice in hospital settings, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities, treating acute and chronic illnesses.
3. Nurse Practitioner in Obstetrics/Gynecology (94,700)
OB-GYN Nurse Practitioners, also known as Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners, provide healthcare to women from adolescence to childbearing and advanced age, focusing on reproductive health, prenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care.
4. Nurse Practitioner in Oncology ($94,018)
Oncology was once one of the top ten best paying jobs in hospital/nursing management in the NP profession. Despite being named one of the lowest in this year’s survey, the field’s salary has increased recently.
This is not surprising, given that cancer treatment is constantly evolving and becoming more complex.
5. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner ($93,041)
Despite being the lowest-paid nurse practitioner specialty, PNPs have seen a dramatic salary increase of more than $10,000 per year in the last five years! Pediatric NPs care for patients from birth to late adolescence in various settings and at varying levels of understanding, depending on the type of certification they pursue.
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The 15 best paying jobs in hospital/management
1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
What is the best-paying job in a hospital/nursing position? Registered Nurse Anesthetists with Certification! CRNAs earn significantly more than any other type of nurse or nursing specialty, earning $195,610 per year.
According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, this highly skilled profession entails preparing and administering anesthesia to patients in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other qualified healthcare professionals.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics, certified registered nurse anesthetists earn a median annual salary of $195,610, making it the best-paying job in nursing management. CRNAs typically work 40 hours per week, with an average hourly wage of $94.04.
Prepare to put in the hours to graduate from an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program and pass the National Certification Examination.
Although a doctoral degree is not currently required to become a CRNA, the Council on Accreditation has announced that a doctoral degree will be needed by 2025.
2. General Nurse Practitioner
This is one of the best paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. As a general nurse practitioner, you can start your own practice or work in various primary care settings. Along the way, you can also improve your skills and earn more money. If they wish, general NPs can later specialize in a field.
According to the May 2021 BLS, general nurse practitioners earn a median annual salary of $120,680. General nurse practitioners typically work 40 hours per week for an hourly wage of around $58.02.
According to the BLS, nurse practitioner jobs (including general) are expected to grow 45 percent through 2030. When you factor in the ability to work independently, the outlook for this specialty is bright.
The minimum degree requirement for becoming a nurse practitioner is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), followed by nurse practitioner licensure as required by your state.
Employers of nurse practitioners include hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, outpatient clinics, private practices, and staffing agencies.
3. ICU Nurse
ICU nurses must have unique skills because they deal with life and death situations daily. They frequently work in hospital intensive care units, but they can also work in other areas of nursing.
Becoming a critical care nurse is considered one of the most coveted positions in nursing because these nurses have a high level of critical thinking and nursing skills. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for ICU nurses in June 2023 was $120,243.
While the typical salary range is $76,500 to $145,500, critical care nurses frequently earn well over $200,000 depending on their shift, hospital, and location, making it one of the best paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
New nurses typically begin at the bottom of the pay scale before quickly moving up. Critical care nurses typically work 36 hours per week for an average hourly wage of $57.81.
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4. Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse
If you enjoy working with children, consider becoming neonatal intensive care (NICU) nurse. This specialty pays well, especially for advanced practice nurses.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual NICU nurse salary is $118,586, making it one of the best paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Earning potential is higher for those with a BSN, more experience, and advanced certifications.
NICU nurses typically work 36 hours per week for an hourly rate of $57.
While you can gain neonatal unit experience as a staff RN, the real advancement comes from earning a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) or neonatal clinical nurse specialist (CNS) designation.
A higher degree also results in a higher salary. RNC-NIC certification is available to nurses who do not have an advanced practice degree.
Hospitals, private practices, birth centers, neonatal intensive care units, well-baby units, newborn nurseries, private consultants, private duty baby nurses, pediatric outpatient clinics, and staffing agencies are all potential employers for NICU nurses.
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5. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Working as a psychiatric nurse practitioner allows nurses interested in mental health to collaborate with psychiatric medical physicians and counsel patients about mental health disorders.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners also work with patients who have a combination of mental health and substance abuse problems.
According to Payscale, psychiatric nurse practitioners earned an average of $113,114 per year as of May 2023. Psychiatric nurse practitioners typically work 40 hours per week for an hourly wage of $63.75, making it one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nurse management.
PNPs will be in high demand as the need for improved mental healthcare gains national attention and demand for adolescent and child psychiatric services rises. Furthermore, as substance abuse increases across the country, PNPs must become knowledgeable about mental health and substance abuse issues.
6. Certified Nurse Midwife
A career as a Certified Nurse Midwife is ideal for RNs who enjoy obstetrics, labor and delivery, and prenatal care. CNMs typically work in OB/GYN offices, clinics, or hospitals, but depending on their state of practice, many open their own rules.
According to the BLS, the average certified nurse-midwife salary is $112,830. CNMs typically work 40 hours per week, earning an hourly wage of $54.24, making it one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nurse management.
The job outlook for midwives is excellent, with openings expected to increase by 45 percent between 2020 and 2030. Nurses can obtain the Certified Nurse-Midwife and Certified Midwife designations from the American Midwifery Certification Board to practice certified nurse-midwifery.
Hospitals, freestanding birthing clinics, private practice clinics, and staffing agencies are among the employers.
7. Clinical Nurse Specialist
This is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nurse management. And those who want to work in a specialized unit or clinic should become Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS). You will be regarded as an expert within your healthcare team, in addition to diagnosing and treating various conditions.
Clinical Nurse Specialists work to improve the state of nursing in hospitals. They are involved in research and the improvement of healthcare services.
Salary.com says the national average salary for clinical nurse specialists is $112,267. However, average salaries for this specialty range from $101,514 to $122,976. Clinical nurse specialists typically work 40 hours per week for an hourly wage of around $54.00, making it one of the best paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
Because clinical nurse specialists can provide specialized care at a lower cost than physicians, many hospitals and institutions will seek to add these professionals to their teams.
A Clinical Nurse Specialist must have a Master of Science in Nursing with a clinical nursing specialization.
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8. Pain Management Nurse
Another best-paying job in hospital/nurse management is a pain management nurse. Pain Management Nurses help manage a patient’s pain post-surgery or work with patients who have chronic pain issues.
They work within a healthcare team to help determine the cause of the pain and the proper course of treatment while educating patients about pain management and avoiding addiction or dependence on prescribed medication.
According to Indeed.com, the average annual salary for pain management nurses is $110,420. Pain management nurses typically work 40 hours per week for an hourly wage of about $47.41, making it one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nurse management.
Because pain management nurses can work in a wide range of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes, this skill is highly demanded. The need for experienced pain management nurses will only increase as the population ages.
Hospitals, drug counseling centers, drug dependency clinics, rehabilitation centers, oncology clinics, sports rehabilitation facilities, long-term care facilities, fitness centers, and staffing agencies are among the companies that hire.
9. Registered Nurse First Assist Salary
A Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is a registered nurse who works as a first assistant during surgical procedures. It is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/management.
An RNFA’s role and responsibilities will differ significantly depending on the institution. Because of residents and fellows, sizeable academic teaching hospitals may not employ as many RNFA.
The average salary for a Registered Nurse First Assist is $101,890, as of May 2023, according to Salary.com. But the range typically falls between $92,181 and $113,509.
The salary range varies based on years of experience and the location of the position. RNAs typically work 36 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately $49.00.
With the overwhelming number of outpatient surgical centers opening across the country, the need for well-trained Registered Nurse First Assistants is rapidly growing.
To become an RNFA, a nurse must have extensive perioperative experience, as this advanced training expands on the fundamentals and focuses on surgical anatomy, procedures, and techniques.
A CNOR certification, an active and unencumbered RN license, a bachelor’s degree, and 2,000 hours of experience working as an RNFA are all required to become a certified RNFA.
10. Nursing Administrator
A nurse administrator oversees the backstage operations of nursing, from budgeting and staff management to human resource functions.
According to the BLS, nursing administrators earn a median annual salary of $101,340 as of May 2021. Nurse administrators typically work at least 40 hours per week, earning an hourly wage of $48.72, making it one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nurse management.
According to the BLS, the employment of medical and health services managers (of which nursing administrators are a part) is expected to grow by 32% between 2020 and 2030.
A Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration is usually required, as is state licensure. Some nursing administrators will also hold a Master of Business Administration degree.
The employers are hospitals, private practices, healthcare companies, clinics, and staffing agencies.
11. Family Nurse Practitioner
The family nurse practitioner (FNP) position is the most similar to that of a primary care physician and one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nurse management. FNPs typically work in a medical office, hospital, clinic, or nursing facility, performing many of the same functions as MDs.
Their duties include patient consultations, assessments, medication and treatment prescriptions, and more.
According to Payscale.com, family nurse practitioners earned an average of $98,041 annually as of May 2023. FNPs typically work 40 hours per week, making an hourly wage of $51.20.
According to the BLS, nurse practitioner jobs are expected to grow 45 percent through 2029. Family practitioners will always be in demand because there are numerous healthcare institutions where they can work.
In almost half of the states in the United States, as well as within the Veterans Administration (VA) system, fully autonomous practice is possible.
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12. Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Older patients have a distinct set of health issues that necessitate specialized care. RNs who prefer working with elderly patients should consider a career as an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner.
According to Payscale.com, the median annual salary for this specialty in April 2023 is $90,391, making it one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nurse management. Adult-Gerontology nurse practitioners typically work 40 hours per week, earning about $47.50 per hour.
Because of the aging population, longer life expectancies, and increased access to long-term care options, there will be an increased demand for nurses who specialize in caring for elderly patients.
With the dramatic increase in the Baby Boomer population, there has been an unexpected surge in this specialty. After earning a Master’s degree in Nursing, RNs must become Certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioners (CGNP) to practice in this specialty.
13. Nurse Educator
You may want to switch from patient care to nurse education. Working directly with other nurses to train them or facilitate continuing education may appeal to you, so becoming a nurse educator may be a good fit.
According to the BLS, nurse educators could earn an average yearly salary of $82,040 in 2021. Nurse educators typically work 40 hours per week, earning an hourly wage of $39.44, making it one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nurse management.
Because there is a shortage of nurse educators (expected to continue), this is a good option if you want to get off the hospital floor and rise to the top of the class. Currently, thousands of open nurse educator positions are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Nurse educators must have a master’s degree at the very least, though many also have a doctorate. In addition, nurse educators can obtain national certification in their field. This is why nurse educator is on the list of top best paying jobs in hospital/nursing management
14. Informatics Nurse
Nursing and technology collide. Because of the ongoing implementation of electronic medical records, this is one of the most in-demand nursing fields, with unlimited growth, and one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nurse management.
According to the American Medical Informatics Association, nursing informatics integrates nursing with the management of information and communication technologies to promote public health.
According to Payscale.com, the average salary for an informatics nurse is $79,531. Informatics nurses typically work 40 hours per week, earning an hourly wage of around $34.94, making it one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nurse management.
Knowing that up to 70,000 nursing informatics specialists/analysts may be required in the next five years is essential. A Master of Science in Nursing or a Master’s in Information or Computer Science is required to enter the field of nursing informatics.
Hospitals, healthcare technology companies, medical record companies, clinics, and staffing agencies are among the employers.
15. Health Policy Nurse
Health policy nurse is on the list of best paying jobs in hospital/nursing management on account of the pay and various reward systems it has.
If you are interested in health and public policy, becoming a health policy nurse will allow you to work on advocacy, research, analysis, policy development, implementation, and evaluation.
Health Policy Nurse Salary According to ZipRecruiter.com, the average national salary for health policy nurses in June 2023 was $79,429 per year. Nurses in this field frequently work as consultants, which increases their earning potential.
Individuals can work as much or as little as they desire. Health policy nurses typically work 40 hours per week, earning an average hourly wage of $38.19, making it one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nurse management.
After completing your MSN, you must complete a 10-week health policy residency program in government offices, advocacy organizations, or community groups. Find out how specializing in health policy can help you advance your nursing career.
The employers are hospitals, occupational health, case management offices, infection control, international health organizations, research, private practice, government offices, law firms, and staffing agencies.
FAQs
As you are well aware, aside from trying to find the best paying jobs in hospitals, there are no such things as stress-free or easy nursing jobs. However, some alternatives may involve fewer high-pressure situations that some nurses face. Continue reading to learn about some minor stressful nursing positions that may interest you.
Nurse Educator
Long-term care nurse
Nurse administrator
Clinic research nurse
School or summer camp nurse
According to the Advance for NPs and PAs annual survey, nurse practitioners in these specialties have the lowest salaries.
Nurse Practitioner for Walk-in Clinics ($95,414)
Nurse Practitioner in Internal Medicine ($95,136)
Nurse Practitioner in Obstetrics/Gynecology ($94,700)
Oncology Nurse Practitioner ($94,018)
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner ($93,041)
The best paying jobs in the hospital are physicians and surgeons. The median annual salary for physicians and surgeons is $208,000. This works out to $100 per hour on average. Not a bad salary, and it makes sense that it is ranked first on our list of the highest-paying jobs in healthcare.
Conclusion
With so many different nursing careers available, obtaining your BSN is just the start of a long, fulfilling, and financially rewarding career with limitless opportunities to specialize in something important to you.
While seeking out the top best paying jobs in hospital/nurse management is understandable, there is more to consider when selecting a specialty than just money. After all, the people who are the happiest at their jobs have found a way to do something they love daily.
Reference
- 15 highest-paying nursing career jobs.
- The 10 easiest nursing jobs
- 5 lowest paying nurse practitioner specialties.
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