How much does a Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse make in Kentucky? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse in Kentucky is $85,831 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

However, a Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $105,706
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $78,376 to $96,234
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $71,588

Key Factors That Influence Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse Salaries

A Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $81,289
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $81,505
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $84,386
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $88,432
  • Expert (over 8 years): $88,721
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse less than 1 year $81,289
Early Career Level Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse 1-2 years $81,505
Mid-Level Level Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse 2-4 years $84,386
Senior-Level Level Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse 5-8 years $88,432
Expert Level Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse over 8 years $88,721

Top Paying Cities for Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Graham: $82,872
  • Greenville: $82,586
  • Hartford: $83,018

Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare $102,997 $50.0 20%

Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$78,376
Average $85,831/year
$96,234
$6,531
Average $7,153/month
$8,020
$1,507
Average $1,651/week
$1,851
$38
Average $41/hour
$46
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $96,234 $8,020 $1,851 $46
Average $85,831 $7,153 $1,651 $41
25th Percentile $78,376 $6,531 $1,507 $38

Find Your Next Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cardiothoracic Icu Nurse job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Advantis Medical Staffing | Lexington, KY

    Advantis Medical Staffing | Lexington, KY

    ICU Travel Nurse In Lexington, KY. This ICU travel nurse job in Lexington, Kentucky, with Advantis Medical is a 13-week Travel ICU Registered Nurse (RN) co... more

    12 Days Ago

  • MedPro Healthcare Staffing | Frankfort, KY

    MedPro Healthcare Staffing | Frankfort, KY

    ICU/CCU Registered Nurse. MedPro Healthcare Staffing, a Joint Commission-certified staffing agency, is seeking a quality ICU/CCU Registered Nurse for a tra... more

    12 Days Ago

  • Spring View Hospital | Lebanon, KY

    Spring View Hospital | Lebanon, KY

    Join our Remarkable Team. Location - Lebanon, KY Schedule - Part-time 24 hours/week 7p-7a Saturday & Sunday Your experience matters Spring View Hospital is... more

    12 Days Ago

  • Lifepoint Health | Lebanon, KY

    Lifepoint Health | Lebanon, KY

    Join Our Remarkable Team. Location Lebanon, KY. Schedule Part-time 24 hours/week 7p-7a Saturday & Sunday. Spring View Hospital is part of Lifepoint Health,... more

    13 Days Ago

  • Supplemental Health Care | Frankfort, KY

    Supplemental Health Care | Frankfort, KY

    ICU Registered Nurse. Supplemental Health Care is hiring ICU Registered Nurses for contract assignments at partnering hospitals in Frankfort, Kentucky. Whe... more

    14 Days Ago

  • TactStaff | Bowling Green, KY

    TactStaff | Bowling Green, KY

    $1713.60/week. Job Summary. This position is for a travel ICU Registered Nurse responsible for providing specialized care to critically ill patients in a b... more

    14 Days Ago

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