As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a PACU Nurse in the United States is $96,500. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $86,000 to $106,700, with most professionals earning between $76,440 and $115,987.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $106,700 | $8,892 | $2,052 | $51 |
| Average | $96,500 | $8,042 | $1,856 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,000 | $7,167 | $1,654 | $41 |
An entry-level PACU Nurse with less than 1 year of experience earns about $93,052. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $93,366. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $97,261. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $101,524, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $101,828.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level PACU Nurse | $93,052 |
| Intermediate Level PACU Nurse | $93,366 |
| Senior Level PACU Nurse | $97,261 |
| Specialist Level PACU Nurse | $101,524 |
| Expert Level PACU Nurse | $101,828 |
| Entry Level | 4% |
| Mid Level | 3% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 5% |
| Experienced | 6% |
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 PACU 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 PACU 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 PACU Nurse information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see PACU Nurse job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for PACU Nurse and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $96,500 | 72.7% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $7,382 | 5.6% | ||
| 401K/403B | $4,729 | 3.6% | ||
| Disability | $1,544 | 1.2% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 4.8% | ||
| Pension | $4,053 | 3.1% | ||
| Time Off | $12,248 | 9.2% | ||
| Total Compensation | $132,827 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.8% |
| High School | 0.8% |
| Associates | 46.1% |
| Bachelors | 47.7% |
| Masters | 4.7% |
What Am I Worth?
PACU nurses typically work in facilities that operate around the clock, which means they may be required to work overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays. The salary for PACU nurses ranges from $88,100 to $110,500, with a mid-range salary of $98,300, reflecting the demanding nature of their roles in patient recovery.
While school nursing is often considered one of the lowest-paid nursing specialties at around $65,048, the PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) nursing specialty offers a significantly higher salary range. PACU nurses earn between $88,100 and $110,500, with a median salary of $98,300, reflecting the specialized skills and responsibilities required in this role.
If you're looking for a nursing career with lower stress levels, consider roles like Public Health Nurse, Nurse Researcher, or Telehealth Nurse. These positions often provide a more relaxed environment. Additionally, PACU Nurses earn a competitive salary, with a minimum of $88,100, a mid-range of $98,300, and a maximum of $110,500, making it a financially rewarding option as well.
The lowest paid positions in a hospital typically include roles like admitting clerks, activity aides, dietary aides, pharmacy technicians, and nursing aides. In contrast, a PACU nurse earns a minimum salary of $88,100, a mid-range salary of $98,300, and a maximum salary of $110,500, highlighting the significant pay difference in nursing roles compared to entry-level positions.
Most PACU roles require 1-2 years of recent experience in a critical care setting like the ICU, ER, or cardiac care unit. This experience is crucial for managing post-surgery patients who need intensive monitoring. PACU nurses can expect a salary ranging from $88,100 to $110,500, with a median salary of $98,300, reflecting the specialized skills required for the role.
The job outlook for PACU nurses is very strong. As the population ages and surgical procedures increase, the demand for skilled post-anesthesia care rises. PACU nurses can expect competitive salaries, with a minimum of $88,100, a mid-range of $98,300, and a maximum of $110,500, reflecting their essential role in healthcare.
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.
