Starting salaries for the 7 most common nurse specialties

Nurse specialties range in average entry-level salary from $22,750 to $133,970, according to 2023 rankings by Nursing Process.

Nursing Process, an independent, educational resource site, used national salary averages to determine pay for the seven most common nursing specialties at the beginning of their careers:

1. Certified registered nurse anesthetist: $133,970
   
   
2. Nurse practitioner: $82,960
   
   
3. Certified nurse midwife: $67,710
   
   
4. Nurse educator: $41,930
   
   
5. Registered nurse: $53,410
   
   
6. Licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse: $35,570
   
   
7. Certified nursing assistant: $22,750