Average ICU Nurse Salary
ICU nurses, also referred to as critical care nurses, are specialized healthcare providers trained to assist patients facing severe health conditions. In the U.S., registered nurses earn an average of $82,750 annually, as reported by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, but ICU nurses rank among the top earners in the nursing field. Critical care nurses have an average salary of $90,855, translating to an hourly wage of $43.68. This rate is roughly 10% more than the average pay for registered nurses overall. It's important to note that these figures are aggregate averages and do not consider specific roles, experience, and other variables. ICU nurse earnings differ by state due to factors like living costs and job demand. For instance, working as a staff ICU nurse in a high-cost area might result in higher wages compared to regions with lower living expenses. The five states offering the highest pay for nurses, including ICU nurses, without adjusting for living costs are: California ($124,000), Hawaii ($106,530), Oregon ($98,630), Alaska ($97,230), and Massachusetts ($96,630). When adjusted for cost of living, the top states are: California ($124,000), Oregon ($98,630), Alaska ($97,230), Nevada ($97,230), and Hawaii ($106,530). Critical care is among several nursing specialties available, and registered nurses can expect a 12.1% job growth through 2028.
