Real pay data from 22,249 job postings across 104 states. See how ICU Nurse pay varies by location, shift, and employer.
Pay analysis
Based on 22,249 postings
Median hourly pay
$61.14
per hour$127,171 / year
251
companies hiring
958
cities with openings
From entry-level to top earners, see where different pay rates fall.
10th Percentile
Lower-paying roles
$46.56
$96,845/yr
25th Percentile
Early career
$54.00
$112,320/yr
Median
Typical pay
$61.14
$127,171/yr
75th Percentile
Experienced
$68.00
$141,440/yr
90th Percentile
Top earners
$79.61
$165,589/yr
BY LOCATION
See how pay varies across the country. Ranked by job volume.
| State | Postings | Median Hourly | Pay Range | Companies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CACalifornia | 2,536 | $73.81 | $65 - $85 | 96 |
AZArizona | 2,049 | $61.72 | $58 - $65 | 101 |
TXTexas | 1,319 | $45.67 | $42 - $51 | 95 |
ILIllinois | 1,103 | $63.25 | $59 - $67 | 91 |
NYNew York | 813 | $70.77 | $65 - $77 | 106 |
WIWisconsin | 768 | $65.20 | $61 - $68 | 83 |
GAGeorgia | 726 | $52.47 | $48 - $55 | 80 |
MAMassachusetts | 674 | $67.50 | $63 - $74 | 92 |
VAVirginia | 594 | $57.69 | $54 - $61 | 76 |
NCNorth Carolina | 506 | $52.69 | $48 - $57 | 73 |
COColorado | 477 | $52.92 | $48 - $61 | 72 |
WAWashington | 440 | $61.31 | $59 - $64 | 66 |
TNTennessee | 435 | $47.92 | $44 - $53 | 81 |
NHNew Hampshire | 404 | $67.50 | $64 - $74 | 81 |
OHOhio | 398 | $56.71 | $52 - $61 | 72 |
BY CITY
BY EMPLOYER
See which employers pay the most and least for ICU Nurse positions.
Pulse Healthcare Services
9 postings
$93.00/hr
$60 - $95/hr
Theraex Staffing Services
45 postings
$91.67/hr
$65 - $107/hr
Flexstaff
12 postings
$90.64/hr
$77 - $96/hr
Trioptus
5 postings
$83.00/hr
$80 - $93/hr
Express Healthcare Staffing Colorado
5 postings
$82.33/hr
$68 - $87/hr
Tenet South Carolina
12 postings
$26.00/hr
$26 - $26/hr
Tenet Memphis
7 postings
$31.00/hr
$31 - $31/hr
HCA St. David's Healthcare
23 postings
$31.60/hr
$31 - $36/hr
Palm Beach Health Network - Tenet
13 postings
$32.00/hr
$32 - $32/hr
HCA Midamerica Health
24 postings
$32.62/hr
$30 - $36/hr
RELATED POSITIONS
| Job Title | Postings | Median | Range | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICU Registered Nurse | 4,423 | $61.54/hr | $54 - $67 | $128,003 |
| ICU Nurse | 137 | $80.75/hr | $66 - $84 | $167,960 |
| ICU RN | 77 | $57.36/hr | $47 - $64 | $119,309 |
| Icu/progressive Care Nurse | 66 | $67.79/hr | $65 - $84 | $141,003 |
| ICU Float RN | 65 | $64.61/hr | $60 - $71 | $134,389 |
| Critical Care (icu) Registered Nurse | 58 | $64.92/hr | $61 - $79 | $135,034 |
| Cardiovascular ICU RN | 50 | $63.19/hr | $55 - $66 | $131,435 |
| Cardiovascular ICU Travel RN | 41 | $49.00/hr | $46 - $55 | $101,920 |
| Critical Care Registered Nurse | 40 | $66.27/hr | $57 - $74 | $137,842 |
| Icu/coronary Care Nurse | 37 | $68.72/hr | $67 - $72 | $142,938 |
EDUCATION & LICENSING
Understand the education, licensing, and certification requirements needed to pursue a nursing career.
ADN
Associate Degree in Nursing
BSN
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
MSN
Master of Science in Nursing
DNP
Doctor of Nursing Practice
LPN/LVN
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse
RN
Registered Nurse
APRN
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
NP
Nurse Practitioner
Complete an accredited nursing program
ADN, BSN, or direct-entry MSN
Pass the NCLEX examination
NCLEX-PN for LPNs, NCLEX-RN for RNs
Apply for state licensure
Each state has its own board of nursing
Obtain specialty certifications
CCRN, CEN, OCN, or other specialty certs
Certifications demonstrate expertise and can significantly increase earning potential
PAY FACTORS
MARKET TRENDS
Current Month (Jan 2026)
$75.85
Median Hourly
1,172
Job Postings
113
Companies Hiring
238
Cities
Aug 2025
$56.44/hr
349 postings • 70 companies
Sep 2025
$57.33/hr
1,930 postings • 119 companies
Oct 2025
$59.39/hr
14,420 postings • 201 companies
Nov 2025
$66.77/hr
2,763 postings • 132 companies
Dec 2025
$74.57/hr
1,596 postings • 131 companies
Jan 2026
$75.85/hr
1,172 postings • 113 companies
FAQ
The median ICU Nurse salary is $61.14 per hour, or $127,171 annually. Pay ranges from $46.56/hr (10th percentile) to $79.61/hr (90th percentile) depending on location, experience, and employer.
Based on 22,249 job postings, the highest paying states for ICU Nurses include California, Arizona, Texas. California typically offers the highest rates due to cost of living and demand.
There are currently 22,249 ICU Nurse job postings across 104 states, from 251 different healthcare employers.
ICU Nurse pay varies based on geographic location, years of experience, certifications, shift differentials (nights/weekends), employment type (travel vs. staff), facility type, and specialized skills. Travel contracts typically pay higher hourly rates.
ClinicalRate tracks pay and bill rates across 22,249 ICU Nurse postings and hundreds of other clinical roles, refreshed daily.