As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Critical Care Nurse in the United States is $92,500. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $73,396 to a high of $111,031, with most professionals earning between $82,500 and $102,200.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $102,200 | $8,517 | $1,965 | $49 |
| Average | $92,500 | $7,708 | $1,779 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,500 | $6,875 | $1,587 | $40 |
An entry-level Critical Care Nurse with less than 1 year of experience earns about $89,216. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $89,515. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $93,224. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $97,278, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $97,567.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Critical Care Nurse | $89,216 |
| Intermediate Level Critical Care Nurse | $89,515 |
| Senior Level Critical Care Nurse | $93,224 |
| Specialist Level Critical Care Nurse | $97,278 |
| Expert Level Critical Care Nurse | $97,567 |
| Entry Level | 4% |
| Mid Level | 3% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 5% |
| Experienced | 5% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Critical Care Nurse compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $209,336 in 2023 to approximately $211,584 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Critical Care Nurse salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Critical Care Nurse information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Critical Care Nurse job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Critical Care Nurse and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $92,500 | 72.5% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $7,076 | 5.5% | ||
| 401K/403B | $4,533 | 3.6% | ||
| Disability | $1,480 | 1.2% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 5.0% | ||
| Pension | $3,885 | 3.0% | ||
| Time Off | $11,740 | 9.2% | ||
| Total Compensation | $127,585 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| High School | 1.3% |
| Associates | 32.5% |
| Bachelors | 59.3% |
| Masters | 6.3% |
| Doctorate | 0.7% |
What Am I Worth?
Critical Care Nurses are among the well-compensated nursing roles, with salaries ranging from $75,700 to $100,000 annually. The median salary for this position is approximately $86,400. While not as high as some specialized roles, Critical Care Nurses play a vital role in patient care and can earn a respectable income in the nursing field.
While some nurses may earn high salaries, the typical salary range for a Critical Care Nurse is between $75,700 and $100,000 annually, with a median salary of $86,400. Earning $500,000 a year is highly unlikely for most nurses, as it far exceeds the standard compensation in the field.
The highest paid nurses in the U.S. are certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), who earn significantly more than other nursing roles. While salaries can vary, critical care nurses have a salary range from $75,700 to $100,000, with a median salary of $86,400. CRNAs typically earn even higher, reflecting their specialized skills and responsibilities.
While some specialized nursing roles can offer high salaries, the average salary for a Critical Care Nurse ranges from $75,700 to $100,000 annually, with a mid-salary of $86,400. Achieving a salary of $300,000 per year is uncommon in nursing, as most positions fall within this range.
In the USA, critical care nurses earn a base salary ranging from approximately $75,700 to $100,000. The median annual salary for these professionals is around $86,400. This data reflects the compensation landscape for critical care nurses, highlighting their essential role in healthcare.
The lowest paid nurse role is typically a nursing assistant, with an annual mean wage of $36,220. In contrast, critical care nurses earn significantly more, with salaries ranging from a minimum of $75,700 to a maximum of $100,000, and a mid-salary of $86,400, reflecting their specialized skills and responsibilities in high-stakes environments.
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.
