Can a registered nurse make 200k?

Asked by: Jazmyne Buckridge  |  Last update: January 29, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (65 votes)

Yes, a Registered Nurse (RN) can make $200k, especially through strategies like travel nursing, specializing in high-demand areas (ICU, OR, ER, CRNA), working in high-cost-of-living states (California, NY), picking up extra shifts/overtime, or moving into advanced roles like Nurse Practitioner (NP) or executive positions. While not typical for all RNs, combining experience, location, and specialty can significantly boost earnings past the standard salary.

Can nurses make 200K?

Yes, nurses can make $200k, especially in advanced roles like Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs), through travel nursing in high-demand areas, or by working significant overtime and picking up extra shifts in high-paying specialties like ICU, OR, and ER, though it's not the norm for most RNs and often requires advanced education, specialization, or specific high-cost locations like California. 

What is the highest an RN can make?

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) – $223,210 per Year. CRNAs or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists represent the highest paid nurse, with a mean annual salary of $223,210, according to data from the BLS. The states where Nurse Anesthetists earn the highest are: Massachusetts, with $292,390 per year.

What career can you make 200K a year?

  • Here are 5 careers with an average salary of over $200k.
  • 1. Anesthesiologists (avg salary: $246k) 2. Surgeons (avg salary: $240k) 3. Oral surgeons (avg salary: $219k) 4. Ob/gyn (avg salary: $214k) 5. Orthodontists (avg salary: $201k)
  • With more experience, you can also earn over $200k with careers l...

How to make 300k as an RN?

To earn $300,000 as a nurse, focus on high-paying specializations like CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) or Nurse Practitioner, work in high-demand areas (like California), take lucrative travel nursing contracts, pick up significant overtime, become a per diem (PDM) nurse, or explore roles in virtual nursing or consulting. Combining advanced roles with strategic, high-paying shifts, especially in expensive states, is key to reaching this income level. 

How I Make $200,000/Year as a Nurse | My Salary Journey #salary

23 related questions found

Can you make 6 figures as an RN?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that registered nurses earn a median annual salary of $93,600 per year, $45.00 per hour as of May 2024. Depending on your location and nursing specialty, making 6 figures as a nurse is well within your reach!

What is the top pay for an RN?

Top Highest-Paid Nursing Jobs in 2026

  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist - $223,210 per year.
  • Pain Management Nurse - $129,521 per year.
  • General Nurse Practitioner - $129,210 per year.
  • Certified Nurse Midwife - $128,790 per year.
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse - $128,211 per year.

How rare is a 200k salary?

The survey: The Census Bureau's new 2024 tables show that about 14% of U.S. households have annual income over $200,000.

What jobs in the US pay $300,000 a year?

Jobs paying $300,000 or more in the U.S. are typically high-level roles in Tech, Finance, Law, Healthcare, and Executive Management, often involving significant responsibility or performance-based pay, such as CEOs, surgeons, investment bankers, senior software engineers, and top-tier consultants, though high-earning potential also exists in specialized sales and successful entrepreneurship. 

How much is $200,000 a year an hour?

If you're earning $200,000 annually, your hourly wage is approximately $96.15 . To calculate this, divide your yearly salary by the average number of working hours per year — typically 2080 hours (52 weeks x 40 hours). So, $200,000 divided by 2080 equals an hourly income of $96.15.

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

Yes, jobs paying over $400,000 without a college degree exist, with Walmart Store Managers being a prominent example due to increased bonuses and stock, while other high earners include roles in enterprise tech sales, commercial real estate, high-level trades (like nuclear operators, air traffic controllers), and self-made entrepreneurs/influencers, all relying on high skill, performance, and market demand, not just degrees, according to sources from Tallo and The Wall Street Journal. 

Which city pays RN the most?

The Top 10 Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses

  • San Fransisco, CA. Annual Nursing Salary: $181,240. ...
  • San Jose, CA. Annual Nursing Salary: $179,210. ...
  • New York, NY. Annual Nursing Salary: $108,540. ...
  • Baltimore, MD. Annual Nursing Salary: $89,310. ...
  • Phoenix, AZ. Annual Nursing Salary: $89,390. ...
  • Philadelphia, PA. ...
  • Seattle, WA. ...
  • Honolulu, HI.

What is the richest type of nurse?

The richest type of nursing is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), who administers anesthesia and provides pre- and post-operative care, consistently ranking as the highest-paid nursing specialty due to extensive advanced education and critical care experience, often requiring a doctoral degree and earning six-figure salaries well over $200,000 annually.
 

How to make $200,000 as a NP?

To make $200k as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), focus on high-paying specialties like Dermatology, Surgery, or Psychiatry, work in high-demand locations (rural or high-cost areas), pursue multiple income streams (private practice, consulting, online courses, extra shifts), and gain significant experience, often requiring 2-3+ years, to command premium rates and build independent practices. 

Is being a nurse worth it financially?

Nurses also receive a competitive salary. According to the most recent BLS data, the average annual salary for RNs is $93,600, which surpasses the median annual salary for all occupations.

What jobs allow you to make $500,000 a year?

Jobs paying $500k or more annually are typically in specialized medicine (surgeons, specialists), high-level corporate leadership (CEOs, VPs, Directors), finance (investment banking, private equity), top-tier sales (Enterprise Account Executive), specialized tech, and successful entrepreneurship, often requiring extensive education, experience, or successful business ownership. Medical specialties like Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Cardiology, and Dermatology consistently offer such high salaries, as do roles in C-suite management, senior legal positions, and senior finance roles. 

What profession makes $400,000 a year?

Professions making $400,000 a year typically fall into medicine (specialized surgeons, anesthesiologists), law (partners in major firms), finance (investment banking, C-suite execs), big tech (senior engineers, executives), high-level sales (enterprise tech, medical devices), and executive leadership (CEOs), often requiring advanced degrees, specialized skills, and extensive experience, though top sales roles might bypass degree requirements for performance.
 

What is the hidden career that pays $300000?

This 'hidden' career path is in dire need of more workers—and it can pay Gen Z over $300,000 with no degree required. Aviation maintenance technicians can land Gen Z six-figure salaries—if they're willing to brave extreme weather, noisy tarmacs, and the smell of jet fumes.

Is $200,000 considered middle class?

Yes, a $200,000 household income can be considered middle class, but it heavily depends on your location's cost of living, as this amount falls within the middle-class range (two-thirds to double the median income) in many high-cost-of-living areas like certain cities in California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, while it would likely be upper-middle class or wealthy elsewhere. While historically wealthy, $200k now reflects a rising baseline for middle-class status due to inflation and increased expenses for housing, healthcare, and education, making it more a middle-income bracket in expensive areas. 

How many Americans make $500,000 a year?

Over 1 million Americans earn $500,000 or more annually, representing less than 1% of the population, though perception often inflates this number; recent data suggests roughly 0.9% (around 1.6 million people) fall into this bracket, with a significant portion earning $500K-$1M. While high-paying jobs exist, earning this much puts you in a very exclusive group, far above the median income, with the actual percentage being much lower than many people estimate.
 

Is a six figure salary rich?

The lowest salary considered to be in the socioeconomic class is $36,132 in one state, while the highest hits a staggering $199,716 in another. But in every single state in America, a $100,000 salary is no longer enough to be considered upper-class—and families with six-figure incomes are even struggling to get by.

Can RN make 200K a year?

Yes, a Registered Nurse (RN) can make $200k, especially through travel nursing, high-demand specialties (like CRNA, NP), or in high-cost-of-living areas with lots of overtime/shift differentials, though it's not the typical salary for most staff nurses, but advanced roles and specific strategies make it achievable.
 

How to make $100,000 as an RN?

To make $100k as a nurse, combine high-demand strategies like travel nursing, per diem shifts, and choosing specialized, high-paying areas (CRNA, Nurse Practitioner, Administration) with optimizing your schedule (overtime, differentials) and potentially earning advanced degrees or certifications, especially in high cost-of-living (HCOL) areas or high-need states like California. Building multiple income streams, like freelance writing or tutoring, and negotiating contracts also boost earnings.