5 Types of Nurse Practitioner Specialties in High Demand

A few types of nurse practitioner specialties in high demand in 2025 include family practice, gerontology, psychiatric-mental health, acute care, and neonatal.

Among these, family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are the most in demand type of nurse practitioner, driven by the estimated shortage of 17,000 to 48,000 physicians in family medicine by 2034, particularly in rural areas.

Types of Nurse Practitioner Specialties in Most Demand (Salary)

Below is a detailed breakdown of the various types of nurse practitioner specialties in most demand that we cover in some of our nurse practitioner board review resources. Understanding these specialties can help you make an informed decision about your career path.

1. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

As mentioned earlier, Family Nurse Practitioners are among the most in-demand nurse practitioner specialties due to a shortage of physicians in family medicine and also their ability to manage a wide range of health issues.

• Responsibilities and duties of FNPs: Managing both acute and chronic conditions, conducting physical exams, and focusing on preventative care.
• Average Annual Salary of Family NPs: $118,000 to $138,150

2. Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners are in high demand due to the increasing number of older adults with multiple co-morbidities.

• Responsibilities of AGNPs: Providing physical exams, routine follow-ups for chronic conditions, assessing and diagnosing health issues, and managing medications for older adults.
• Average Annual Salary of Adult Gerontology NPs: $94,226 to $127,302

3. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners are in high demand, especially as mental health concerns continue to grow and the demand for services has surged with the rise of telehealth.

• Responsibilities of PMHNPs: Assessing mental health conditions, developing treatment plans, conducting therapy sessions, and prescribing psychiatric medications
• Average Annual Salary of Psychiatric NPs: $119,594 to $143,429

4. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)

Acute Care Nurse Practitioners are specialized in providing care for patients with complex, life-threatening conditions. Working primarily in hospitals and urgent care settings, they are trained to handle high-stress situations and manage critical care.

• Average Annual Salary of Acute Care NPs: $125,048

5. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs) specialize in the healthcare needs of children, from birth to young adulthood.

• Responsibilities of PNPs: Conducting well-child exams, managing pediatric illnesses, providing immunizations, and offering health education to families.
• Average Annual Salary of Pediatric NPs: $109,600 to $129,500

Also check out some of the least stressful nurse practitioner jobs and some of the hardest nurse practitioner specialties.