The Top 20 Career Path Options for Nurse Practitioners
Credit: FatCamera / E+ / Getty ImagesKey Takeaways
- Surgical NPs have the highest NP salary at about $189,090, followed by cardiac NPs ($144,910) and PMHNPs ($141,110).
- NP demand is projected to grow 46% from 2023-2033, far exceeding the national average.
- Align career goals with specialty by evaluating work settings and key responsibilities as well as salary.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are one of the fastest-growing fields in the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, NP jobs are projected to grow by 46% from 2023 to 2033, significantly faster than than all other U.S. occupations.
What can a nurse practitioner do? NPs provide primary and specialty care in areas such as geriatrics, cardiology, pediatrics, and mental health. Explore 20 popular NP careers, ranked by average salary.
The Top 20 Career Options for Nurse Practitioners
1 | Surgical Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $189,090
Surgical NPs care for and treat patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. What can a nurse practitioner do in a surgical specialty? Surgical NPs have extensive training in operating rooms and assistants during surgical procedures. Surgical NPs can work in hospital inpatient units and outpatient clinics. They can also work in plastic surgery clinics.
Key Responsibilities
- Assess new patients
- Discuss surgical options
- Administer medications
- Monitor patients’ vital signs
- Assist during surgical procedures
2 | Cardiac Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $144,910
Cardiac NPs provide care and treat patients with acute or chronic heart conditions. The top diagnoses treated by cardiac NPs are:
- Hypertension
- Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)
- Heart Failure
Cardiac NPs assess patients’ health, prescribe medication (depending on their practice authority), promote nonpharmacological treatments, and collaborate with the entire healthcare team. Cardiac NPs typically work in hospital inpatient units and outpatient clinics.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform therapeutic procedures
- Develop treatment plans
- Conduct and interpret stress tests
- Monitor postoperative cardiac patients
- Assess the risks of cardiovascular diseases
3 | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $141,110
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are in very high demand due to an increasing need for mental health services, according to the American Association for Nurse Practitioners (AANP). PMHNPs assess, diagnose and treat patients with psychiatric disorders and addiction. PMHNPs administer psychosocial assessments, prescribe medication in some states, and provide care for patients with mental health emergencies.
The top practice settings for PMHNPs are:
- Behavioral health/addiction clinics
- Psychiatric mental health facilities
- Private NP practices
Key Responsibilities
- Assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders
- Provide physical and psychosocial assessments
- Prescribe medication in states with full-practice authority
- Deliver emergency psychiatric care and treatment
- Evaluate the effectiveness of treatments
4 | Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $139,780
Orthopedic NPs treat patients with musculoskeletal issues, including injuries to the bones, muscles, joints, and connective tissue. They can provide general services encompassing aspects of orthopedic care or specialize in sports medicine, orthopedic oncology, and metabolic disorders.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct physical exams
- Order tests and prescribe medications (depending on their practice authority)
- Analyze test results
- Provide rehabilitation services
- Pain management
5 | Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $136,650
Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) are a specialized group of APRNs who work with high-risk infants in intensive care units (ICUs) and, in some cases, after being discharged from the hospital. NNPs also educate families on how to care for their preterm infants, infants born with genetic conditions, drug addiction, HIV infection and or other chronic conditions.
NNPs primarily work in hospital inpatient units. The top conditions that NNPs treat are:
- Anemia
- Arrhythmias
- Acute lower respiratory infections
Key Responsibilities
- Start and maintain IV lines
- Monitor specialized equipment
- Order and perform diagnostic tests
- Design treatment plans
- Guide and advise new parents
6 | Emergency Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $135,453
Emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs) treat patients with urgent medical needs. They primarily work in emergency rooms, but they can also work in urgent care centers, trauma centers, and ambulatory care centers.
ENPs care for and treat acutely ill, pregnant, and injured patients of all ages. The top diagnoses treatment for ENPs are:
- Abdominal pain
- Acute sprains
Key Responsibilities
- Diagnose and treat patients with acute symptoms
- Access the patient’s physical symptoms
- Collect psychosocial and environmental information from patients
- Educate patients and family members on proper care
- Perform minor procedures
7 | Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $135,160
Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) specialize in caring for newborns, infants, toddlers, adolescents, and young adults. They primarily focus on preventive care and managing acute and chronic pediatric conditions.
The top practice settings for PNPs are:
- Hospital outpatient units
- Hospital inpatient units
- Private group practices
The top diagnoses PNPs treat are:
- Abdominal pain
- Migraines
- Otitis media (ear infection)
Key Responsibilities
- Assess growth patterns
- Track developmental milestones
- Educate parents about growth and development
- Diagnose and treat illnesses
- Prescribe medications (depending on practice authority)
- Order immunizations
8 | Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $135,160
Pediatric acute care NPs (PACNPs) provide comprehensive care to children and adolescents experiencing critical, acute, and chronic conditions. They often work in inpatient and outpatient hospitals, emergency departments, and home care settings. PACNPs help meet children’s and adolescents’ specific physiological and psychological needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide family-centered care
- Conduct advanced physical examinations
- Interpret lab and diagnostic tests
- Manage pediatric patients from admission to discharge
- Coordinate post-care options with families
- Educate on preventative care and wellness
9 | Dermatology Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $134,910
Dermatology NPs treat medical conditions or diseases related to the skin. While they work with all ages, dermatology NPs can specialize in specific age groups, such as children or older populations, or focus on certain diseases, like cancer.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify patients’ needs for dermatological care
- Conduct comprehensive health histories
- Review prescribed medication
- Interpret lab studies and pathology reports
- Establish diagnosis
- Perform minor procedures
10 | Nephrology Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $134,370
Nephrology NPs care for and treat patients with kidney disease, injuries, diabetes, and hypertension. They also educate patients on improving kidney health and preventative care.
Nephrology NPs work in hospital inpatient units and outpatient clinics like dialysis centers.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive health assessments
- Order treatments and tests
- Discuss nutrition and exercise
- Evaluate the effectiveness of treatments
- Provide education to patients and families
11 | Hospice Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $130,300
Hospice NPs care for, treat, and comfort terminally ill patients. They also help support families by educating them on disease processes and managing symptoms. Hospice NPs prepare patients and families for end-of-life but also evaluate patients who no longer qualify for hospice care.
Typical work settings include:
- Patient’s home
- Nursing homes
- Assisted living
- Hospice care centers
- Hospitals
Key Responsibilities
- Advocate for patients and their families
- Administer and translate diagnostic screenings
- Create, manage, and update patient care plans
- Perform physical exams
- Monitor and record symptoms
12 | Oncology Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $130,300
Oncology NPs (ONPs) diagnose and treat patients with cancer. They play an instrumental role in coordinating patients’ care throughout their treatment. ONPs assist with surgeries. They also order treatment plans such as radiation and chemotherapy. ONPs educate patients and their families while managing patient outcomes.
While they work in various settings, ONPs are often employed by oncology departments focusing on medical, radiation, or surgical care.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct physical exams
- Create and manage treatment plans
- Administer cancer therapies
- Prescribe medications (depending on practice authority)
- Coordinate end-of-life care
13 | Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $130,300
Acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) typically describe acute care, pediatric acute care, and adult-gerontology acute care NPs. ACNPs care for and treat patients with acute conditions that may also be complex. These conditions range from minor injuries to cardiac issues like heart attacks and arrhythmias.
ACNPs work in various environments, including emergency rooms, urgent care clinics, and operating rooms. ACNPs, especially those working with the geriatric population, are extending their care into long-term care facilities and specialty clinics.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide physical exams
- Record patient histories
- Diagnose and treat patients
- Prescribe medication and therapy treatments (depending on practice authority)
- Stabilize patients in critical conditions
- Collaborate with healthcare teams
14 | Adult Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $128,440
Adult nurse practitioners (ANPs) evaluate and diagnose common, acute, and chronic health issues among adolescents, adults, and the geriatric community. ANPs often specialize in women’s health, cardiovascular care, and psychiatry, but they typically work with a broad population.
ANPs work in hospital outpatient and inpatient facilities and private practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Educate patients on wellness practices
- Diagnose and evaluate common, acute, and chronic health issues
- Counsel patients on diet, exercise, and physical therapy
- Evaluate test results and the impact of treatment
15 | Family Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $127,980
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) provide family-based health services focusing on various patients and preventative care. FNPs work with infants, adolescents, adults, and geriatric populations.
FNP work settings include:
- Community health centers
- Private practices
- Healthcare systems
- Universities
According to the AANP, 68.7% of primary care certifications are FNPs.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintaining patient records
- Prescribe medications (depending on practice authority)
- Develop treatment plans
- Treat acute and chronic illnesses and injuries
16 | Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $126,030
Primary care nurse practitioners (PCNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who work in various primary care settings. They care for individuals, families, and specialty patient groups, such as women and pediatrics.
According to the AANP, 87% of NPs are certified in primary care. PCNPs assess, diagnose and treat patients with acute and chronic conditions and educate them on preventative care and wellness.
PCNPs collaborate with other health professional teams. They can also work independently, depending on their practice authority in their state.
Key Responsibilities
- Assess patients’ health
- Administer preventative care, such as immunizations and vaccinations
- Diagnose and treat general health conditions
- Prescribe medications, including controlled substances
17 | Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $124,360
Women’s health nurse practitioners (WHNPs) specialize in continuing and comprehensive healthcare services for women. They provide reproductive, gynecological, prenatal, and postpartum care. WHNPs focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and preventative services at healthcare centers specializing in women’s healthcare, family planning, and reproductive services.
Key Responsibilities
- Review preventative health needs
- Diagnose reproductive diseases
- Prescribe medication/contraception (depending on practice authority)
- Address fertility issues
- Screen for domestic violence and substance abuse
18 | Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $118,640
Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AG-PCNPs) specialize in caring for adults and aging patients. AG-PCNPs treat patients with chronic illnesses and oncology and hematology patients.
The top practice settings for AG-PCNPs include:
- Hospital outpatient clinics
- Hospital inpatient units
- Private group practice
The top diagnoses AG-PCNPs treat are:
- Anxiety
- Abdominal pain
- Hypertension
Key Responsibilities
- Perform routine examinations
- Administer immunizations
- Provide one-on-one health counseling
- Develop and implement disease prevention plans
19 | Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $117,420
Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AG-ACNPs) treat adults and geriatric patients with acute, chronic, or critical conditions. They work in clinics, physicians’ offices, hospitals, retirement homes, and private practices.
AG-ACNPs write prescriptions (depending on practice authority), interpret ECG monitoring, and assess patient responses to medications and treatment. The top diagnoses AG-ACNPs treat are:
- Hypertension
- Heart failure
- Diabetes
Key Responsibilities
- Collect patient’s history information
- Evaluate patient symptoms
- Assess diagnostic information
- Determine treatment methods
- Track the condition of the patient
20 | Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $117,190
Palliative care NPs provide care and support to patients with terminal and non-terminal chronic conditions. Palliative care NPs commonly encounter patients with cancer, advanced heart disease, neurological disorders, and dementia. Palliative care begins at the diagnosis stage and continues into end-of-life care.
Demand for palliative care NPs continues to grow due to patients living longer and needing extra support managing their conditions. Palliative care NPs typically find employment within hospitals, medical offices, patient homes, and inpatient hospice facilities. These professionals generally work with adults and geriatric patients.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop treatment plans
- Arrange comfort measures to reduce pain
- Execute multifaceted treatment plans
- Assess and treat symptoms to promote wellness
FAQ: Places to Work as a Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners can earn specialty certification to practice in areas such as family, psychiatric-mental health, or pediatric NP. These certifications give NPs opportunities to specialize in their practice. NPs typically choose a specialty during their master of science or doctor of nursing practice program. They complete clinical hours in that specialty before pursuing certification.
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