An RN, short for Registered Nurse, works closely with doctors to provide patient care for illnesses and injuries. RNs are often the first medical professional the patient sees when entering a health care facility. As an RN, you can ask the patient questions and document their health history, but you are not allowed to diagnose patients; after the doctor or other supervising health care professional has determined what problem needs to be treated, you help administer treatment. Your job duties may include administering medications, checking patient vital signs, and charting medical records. RNs also advise patients and families about at-home care for medical conditions as well as disease prevention.

RN stands for Registered Nurse. An LPN is a Licensed Practical Nurse. Though these are both types of nurses, each requires a different level of education and has different job responsibilities. An RN has at least an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and must pass the NCLEX-RN exam. They typically work in hospitals and other health care facilities and can administer medications, provide treatments, and offer medical advice to patients and families. An LPN only needs to complete a one-year LPN certificate program from a vocational school. LPNs provide basic patient care, such as changing wound dressings or bedpans. Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing become RNs but are eligible for a broader range of positions, often with higher pay.

High Paying RN Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying RN positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

Wellness Nurse Rn
Salary range: $84,000 - $250,000
The majority of Wellness Nurse Rn salaries across the United States currently range between $84,000 (25th percentile) and $250,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Wellness Nurse Rn job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Registered Nurse Step Down
Salary range: $77,000 - $132,000
The majority of Registered Nurse Step Down salaries across the United States currently range between $77,000 (25th percentile) and $132,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Registered Nurse Step Down job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Per Diem RN
Salary range: $62,000 - $119,500
The majority of Per Diem RN salaries across the United States currently range between $62,000 (25th percentile) and $119,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Per Diem RN job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Staff Registered Nurse
Salary range: $60,500 - $113,000
The majority of Staff Registered Nurse salaries across the United States currently range between $60,500 (25th percentile) and $113,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Staff Registered Nurse job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Staff Nurse
Salary range: $65,000 - $108,000
The majority of Staff Nurse salaries across the United States currently range between $65,000 (25th percentile) and $108,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Staff Nurse job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Aesthetic RN
Salary range: $74,000 - $104,000
As an aesthetic RN, you may perform surgical and non-surgical duties related to medical aesthetic or elective procedures. Your responsibilities may include helping patients prepare for, undergo, and recover from cosmetic operations like facial reconstruction or non-surgical treatments such as BOTOX injections. If you work in a surgical setting, you assist in perioperative and postoperative settings. If you work in an outpatient facility, such as a dermatology office, you may provide patient consultations and perform procedures, such as laser treatments. Typically, as a nurse esthetician, you work in a relaxed setting, such as a medical spa or plastic surgeon’s office.
Quality Nurse
Salary range: $66,500 - $102,500
A quality nurse works to bring about improvement in the health care that a hospital or medical clinic provides. In this career, your duties include monitoring the performance of medical staff. You may look at indicators like the outcome of treatments to measure the effectiveness of the patient care. Your responsibilities may also include observing nursing staff in a clinical setting and assessing their performance and interactions with patients. Overall, your goal is to improve care and limit mistakes for your organization. You report your findings and make recommendations to hospital staff and administrators.
Registered Nurse Float Pool
Salary range: $64,000 - $101,500
The majority of Registered Nurse Float Pool salaries across the United States currently range between $64,000 (25th percentile) and $101,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Registered Nurse Float Pool job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
PICC Nurse
Salary range: $80,000 - $92,000
A Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Nurse, is responsible for administering substances intravenously in peripheral veins, typically in the patient’s arm, rather than a major vein. They are often part of the infusion nursing team. PICCs are appropriate for patients who need long-term treatments like chemotherapy or nutritional supplements. PICC nurses are Registered Nurses (RNs) or Nurse Practitioners (NPs) who are specially trained to place PICC lines into the veins of patients and guide the catheter up through the vein toward the heart, often with the aid of ultrasound imagery. They then use x-ray equipment to ensure that that the catheter is in the correct place, simultaneously monitoring the vital signs of the patient. PICC nurses may work in hospitals or outpatient programs.
Office Nurse
Salary range: $57,000 - $90,000
An office nurse provides health care services for patients in a doctor’s office or general outpatient clinic. Your duties as an office nurse include giving general, non-emergency care to the patients who come to the clinic. As an office nurse, you are the first point of contact for patients during their visit. You may ask questions to assess the reasons for the visit and their needs. Office nurses also administer vaccinations, take measurements, record patient medical history, and assist the doctor with minor procedures.
Professional Nurse
Salary range: $58,000 - $89,000
The majority of Professional Nurse salaries across the United States currently range between $58,000 (25th percentile) and $89,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Professional Nurse job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
PICC RN
Salary range: $75,000 - $85,000
The majority of PICC RN salaries across the United States currently range between $75,000 (25th percentile) and $85,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the PICC RN job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
RN LVN
Salary range: $58,000 - $81,500
The majority of RN LVN salaries across the United States currently range between $58,000 (25th percentile) and $81,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the RN LVN job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Per Diem Nurse
Salary range: $55,000 - $80,000
A per diem nurse conducts all of the same tasks and has most of the same responsibilities as any other nurse. The difference is that per diem nurses do not work a set schedule and are not under contract to do so. They fill vacancies in the schedule as needed and desired. Per diem nurses provide all types of nursing care according to their license (RN, CNA, LPN, etc.), including administering medication, helping with patient needs and procedures, updating medical records, and communicating with physicians and other staff members.
Wellness Nurse
Salary range: $55,000 - $79,000
The majority of Wellness Nurse salaries across the United States currently range between $55,000 (25th percentile) and $79,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Wellness Nurse job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
Office RN
Salary range: $60,000 - $74,500
Office RNs work in a medical office or clinic setting, treating patients and assisting physicians. As an office registered nurse, you perform patient assessments, record vitals, and update patient records. You work with a doctor to provide education on procedures, answering questions and arranging for follow-ups visits. As an RN in a medical office, you tend to have the most face-to-face time with a patient. Your responsibilities include data entry, providing basic care, and helping patients understand and follow the doctor’s orders.
Private Duty RN
Salary range: $63,000 - $71,000
Private duty registered nurses (RNs) provide patient care in the client's home or an assisted living facility. As a private duty RN, you check patient vital signs at regular intervals, administer medication, perform necessary tests with medical equipment, change wound bandages, and oversee nursing assistants who are also working with the patient. You may also need to insert catheters, IV lines and infusions, administer oxygen, and utilize other medical treatment with machines when required. Keeping accurate documentation is also vital to ensure any changes in the patient's health is communicated to the patient's physician. These kinds of changes may require the plan of care to be updated.
Substitute Nurse
Salary range: $30,000 - $60,000
The majority of Substitute Nurse salaries across the United States currently range between $30,000 (25th percentile) and $60,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Substitute Nurse job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
RN LPN LVN
Salary range: $45,000 - $60,000
The majority of RN LPN LVN salaries across the United States currently range between $45,000 (25th percentile) and $60,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the RN LPN LVN job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

All Jobs RN Jobs 19 Highest Paying RN Jobs in 2026