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ICU Staff Nurse Salary in the United States

How much does an ICU Staff Nurse make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an ICU Staff Nurse in the United States is $93,157 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

However, an ICU Staff Nurse's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $114,753
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $85,067 to $104,461
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $77,702
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out ICU Staff Nurse Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence ICU Staff Nurse Salaries

An ICU Staff 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects ICU Staff Nurse Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an ICU Staff 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): $88,227
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $88,461
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $91,587
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $95,983
  • Expert (over 8 years): $96,297
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level ICU Staff Nurse less than 1 year $88,227
Early Career Level ICU Staff Nurse 1-2 years $88,461
Mid-Level Level ICU Staff Nurse 2-4 years $91,587
Senior-Level Level ICU Staff Nurse 5-8 years $95,983
Expert Level ICU Staff Nurse over 8 years $96,297

How Do ICU Staff Nurse Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract ICU Staff Nurses. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $103,143.
  • California: $102,752.
  • Massachusetts: $101,382.

Top Paying Cities for ICU Staff 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:

  • San Jose: $117,499
  • San Francisco: $116,212
  • Oakland: $113,763

ICU Staff Nurse Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For ICU Staff 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, ICU Staff Nurse positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view ICU Staff Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an ICU Staff Nurse

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare $111,788 $54.0 20%

How Education impacts an ICU Staff Nurse's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many ICU Staff Nurse professionals enter the field with a Associate's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an ICU Staff Nurse with a Associate's is between $82,257 and $86,847.

ICU Staff Nurse Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for ICU Staff Nurse
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.4%
High School 1.6%
Associate's Degree 32%
Bachelor's Degree 59.4%
Master's Degree or MBA 6.5%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.2%
View as Graph

ICU Staff Nurse Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an ICU Staff 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$85,067
Average $93,157/year
$104,461
$7,089
Average $7,763/month
$8,705
$1,636
Average $1,791/week
$2,009
$41
Average $45/hour
$50
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $104,461 $8,705 $2,009 $50
Average $93,157 $7,763 $1,791 $45
25th Percentile $85,067 $7,089 $1,636 $41

Most common benefits for ICU Staff Nurse

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for ICU Staff Nurse

Here are companies hiring for ICU Staff Nurse and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next ICU Staff Nurse Job

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

  • 3B Healthcare, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Registered Nurse ICU

    3B Healthcare, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Critical Care Float Pool RN Shift. Join our Critical Care Float Pool for Night shifts with flexibility to meet unit needs as they arise. Nurses will float ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Flagstar Nursing | Columbus, OH

    ICU Registered Nurse RN

    Flagstar Nursing | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Seeking Compassionate ICU Registered Nurse for Contract Position. We are dedicated to connecting passionate Registered Nu... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Staff Nurse

    Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Staff Nurse (RN) - Apheresis. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute's (OSUCCC-James) ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • IntelyCare | Columbus, OH

    Staff Nurse

    IntelyCare | Columbus, OH

    Staff Nurse (RN) - Inpatient Psychiatry Float Pool. Harding | 4NP Adult Inpatient Psychiatry. Scope of Position: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical C... more

    2 Days Ago

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FAQ about ICU Staff Nurse

1. What industry pays the highest salary for ICU Staff Nurse?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for ICU Staff Nurse roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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