[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/msn/best-online-msn-programs/”]master of science in nursing (MSN)[/hen-ui-link] degree allows nurses to expand and tailor their patient care responsibilities. It may also help you boost your compensation. In fact, many MSN-trained nurses earn six-figure salaries, with [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/best-online-nurse-practitioner-programs/”]nurse practitioners (NPs)[/hen-ui-link] making a median salary of nearly $130,000 per year, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]MSN learners can take advantage of many specialization options, from the bedside to [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/nurse-exec-vs-admin-vs-manager/”]nurse leadership roles[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]So, which MSN degree specialization is right for you? Before you invest in an MSN, learn more about popular MSN concentrations to make the most informed decision about your future.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online MSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]8 Popular MSN Degree Specializations[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing schools offer multiple master’s in nursing specialties, including [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/nurse-educator/”]nurse educator[/hen-ui-link], [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/nurse-administrator/”]nurse administrator[/hen-ui-link], and [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/clinical-nurse-specialist/”]clinical nurse specialist (CNS)[/hen-ui-link]. In general, many of the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/articles/best-nursing-specialities-for-the-future/”]highest-paying nursing specialties[/hen-ui-link] require a master’s degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]But what are the most popular master’s in nursing specialties? Drawing on salary data, job growth projections, job duties, we identified the MSN nursing careers with the strongest outlook.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Here are eight of the most in-demand, highest-paying MSN specializations:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Family Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There’s a reason NP ranked as the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/articles/nurse-practitioners-fastest-growing-profession-nursing-second-year/”]fastest-growing healthcare job[/hen-ui-link] in 2024. Strong demand and high salaries mean it’s a good time to become an NP. [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/fnp/”]Family nurse practitioners (FNPs)[/hen-ui-link] are the most common NP specialization.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In fact, nearly 70% of NPs are FNPs, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). FNPs are primary care providers who can perform diagnostic tests, diagnose medical conditions, and prescribe medication in certain states.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NPs earn a median pay of $129,210, according to May 2024 BLS data. The BLS also projects that NP positions could grow 46% from 2023-2024, one of the fastest-growing jobs in the nation.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Nurse Educator[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing schools need qualified faculty. An [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/nursing-faculty-shortage” target=”_blank”]American Association of Colleges of Nursing[/hen-ui-link] report found U.S. nursing schools had to turn away more than 65,000 applicants in 2023 because of faculty shortages and similar constraints. That’s one reason nurse educators rank among the most popular MSN specialties.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With an MSN in nursing education, you can also work in hospitals, where you’ll train staff and implement patient care resources. Nurse educators earn a median pay of $86,000, according to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Nurse_Educator/Salary” target=”_blank”]April 2025 data from Payscale[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Because the shortage is so acute, nurse educators also benefit from several federal and state programs to support their education, including grants and scholarships.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Demand for mental health providers continues to grow. More than one in three Americans lives in a mental health professional shortage area, according to August 2024 data from the [hen-ui-link href=”https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/state-of-the-behavioral-health-workforce-report-2024.pdf” target=”_blank”]National Center for Health[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/state-of-the-behavioral-health-workforce-report-2024.pdf” target=”_blank”]Workforce Analysis[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) can help meet that need. With a similar prescribing authority as psychiatrists, PMHNPs increase access to mental health care in underserved areas, including through telehealth services.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]PMHNPs are among the highest-paid NP specializations. The total pay for PMHNPs ranged $97,000-$156,000, according to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Psychiatric_Nurse_Practitioner_(NP)/Salary” target=”_blank”]April 2025 data from Payscale[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Nurse Administrator[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you’re interested in taking on administrative responsibilities, an MSN specialty as a nurse administrator could be a good fit.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse administrators schedule staff, create budgets, and advocate for nurses at the executive level. While they don’t provide bedside care, they do help healthcare facilities operate as smoothly and effectively as possible.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse administrators also report strong demand and high salaries. Medical and health services managers, a category that includes nurse administrations, earn a median pay of $117,960, according to May 2024 BLS data. These roles also benefit from 29% projected job growth from 2023-2033, which is significantly faster than the average growth for all jobs.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Nurse-Midwife[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse-midwives specialize in gynecological and prenatal care. They deliver babies and serve as primary maternity care providers. You can [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-midwife/how-to-become-a-nurse-midwife/”]become a nurse-midwife[/hen-ui-link] with a specialized MSN program.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]What makes nurse-midwifery a popular specialization? Nurse-midwives earn a median pay of $128,790 per year, according to May 2024 BLS data. That makes them one of the highest-paid MSN specialties. However, the job growth projection for nurse-midwives of 7% from 2023-2033 ranks below some other MSN specializations.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NPs who specialize in treating adult and aging patients make up around 15% of all NPs, according to 2024 AANP data. These [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/gerontology/”]adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNPs)[/hen-ui-link] specialize in primary and acute care, helping to meet the growing healthcare needs of America’s aging population.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Like other NP specialties, AGNPs benefit from strong projected job growth and above-average salaries. The median pay for AGNPs is $108,900, according to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Adult-Gerontology_Nurse_Practitioner_(AGNP)/Salary” target=”_blank”]April 2025 Payscale data[/hen-ui-link], with total pay ranging from $89,000-$130,000.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Nursing Informatics[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare organizations increasingly rely on informatics to improve patient outcomes and boost efficiency. Nurses who specialize in informatics apply tech knowledge to healthcare data. Depending on their role, they may develop clinical information systems, collaborate with physicians, and create nursing data reports.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/nurse-informatics/what-can-you-really-do-with-a-nursing-informatics-degree/”]nursing informatics degree[/hen-ui-link], you can become a nursing informatics specialist. This career path reports a median pay of $91,300, according to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Nursing_Informatics_Specialist/Salary” target=”_blank”]January 2024 data from Payscale[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Clinical Nurse Specialist[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you want to improve nursing care while still working directly with patients, consider [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/clinical-nurse-specialist/”]becoming a CNS[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNSs work in clinical departments, such as oncology, psychiatric-mental health, and pediatrics. In these departments, they teach evidence-based techniques to nurses. They also analyze patient outcomes from a medical and patient satisfaction perspective to improve departmental policies.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNSs earn a median salary of $104,400, according to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Clinical_Nurse_Specialist_(CNS)/Salary” target=”_blank”]February 2025 data from Payscale[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Advance Your Career with an MSN[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pursuing an MSN can pay off. You’ll add advanced nursing knowledge and specialized skills to your resume, which can help you move into leadership positions. An MSN may also mean a significant jump in compensation.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses with an MSN work in high-demand specialties, including as NPs. With an MSN, you can also pursue a doctor of nursing practice or Ph.D. program that can further specialize your skills.[/hen-ui-text]