As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Post Anesthesia Care Unit Nurse in the United States is $96,490. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $76,316 to a high of $115,824, with most professionals earning between $85,930 and $106,610.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $106,610 | $8,884 | $2,050 | $51 |
| Average | $96,490 | $8,041 | $1,856 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,930 | $7,161 | $1,653 | $41 |
An entry-level Post Anesthesia Care Unit Nurse with less than 1 year of experience earns about $93,023. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $93,338. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $97,245. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $101,474, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $101,777.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Post Anesthesia Care Unit Nurse | $93,023 |
| Intermediate Level Post Anesthesia Care Unit Nurse | $93,338 |
| Senior Level Post Anesthesia Care Unit Nurse | $97,245 |
| Specialist Level Post Anesthesia Care Unit Nurse | $101,474 |
| Expert Level Post Anesthesia Care Unit Nurse | $101,777 |
| 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 Post Anesthesia Care Unit 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 Post Anesthesia Care Unit 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 Post Anesthesia Care Unit Nurse information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Post Anesthesia Care Unit Nurse job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Post Anesthesia Care Unit Nurse and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $96,490 | 72.7% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $7,381 | 5.6% | ||
| 401K/403B | $4,728 | 3.6% | ||
| Disability | $1,544 | 1.2% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 4.8% | ||
| Pension | $4,053 | 3.1% | ||
| Time Off | $12,247 | 9.2% | ||
| Total Compensation | $132,813 | 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?
A certified post anesthesia nurse (CPAN) specializes in the care of patients who have recently undergone surgery or any procedure requiring anesthesia. CPAN nurses typically earn between $88,080 and $110,430 annually, with a median salary of $98,260, reflecting their expertise in ensuring patient safety and comfort during recovery.
Phase I of the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) emphasizes ensuring the patient's full recovery from anesthesia and stabilization of vital signs. In contrast, Phase II focuses on preparing patients for discharge, including education on postoperative instructions and prescribed medications. PACU nurses earn between $88,080 and $110,430, with a median salary of $98,260.
The richest nursing job is the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). CRNAs earn a competitive salary, with a minimum of $88,080, a mid-range of $98,260, and a maximum of $110,430. This role involves working closely with anesthesiologists in a dynamic healthcare team, making it both rewarding and financially lucrative.
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nurses are among the higher-paid nursing professionals. Their salary ranges from a minimum of $88,080 to a maximum of $110,430, with a median salary of $98,260. While certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) earn more, PACU nurses also enjoy competitive compensation in the nursing field.
To become a PACU nurse, it typically takes 4-6 years of education. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can be completed in two years, followed by two years of critical care experience. Many employers prefer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which requires an additional two years. The salary for PACU nurses ranges from $88,080 to $110,430, with a median of $98,260.
While many consider the intensive care unit (ICU) to be one of the toughest nursing specialties, the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) also presents significant challenges. PACU nurses must monitor patients recovering from anesthesia, manage pain, and respond to complications. With salaries ranging from $88,080 to $110,430, the role demands both skill and resilience.
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.
