ICU Nurse salary in New York
A icu nurse in New York earns an estimated $118,460 a year ($56.95/hr) — about 13% above the U.S. average, with most between $96,170 and $127,550. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
ICU Nurse — New York
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$118,460
+13% vs nationalHourly
$56.95/hr
- Typical range
- $96,170–$127,550
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $171,260
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $83,570
- Newer nurses
ICU Nurse pay by city in New York
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $123,700 | $59.47 |
| Buffalo | $104,830 | $50.40 |
| Rochester | $104,830 | $50.40 |
ICU Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How New York compares to states with similar icu nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in New York
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects icu nurse pay in New York
High pay; very high cost of living in NYC. For a icu nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
The New York figure adjusts the national RN average of $104,830 for local pay levels — a factor of 1.13× (about 13% above the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official New York wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for New York, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in New York make this page more precise over time.
ICU Nurse salary in New York — FAQ
- How much does a icu nurse make in New York?
- A icu nurse in New York earns an estimated $118,460 a year — about $56.95 an hour, with most between $96,170 and $127,550. That's about 13% above the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and New York's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is New York a good state for icu nurses?
- For pay, New York sits about 13% above the national average for icu nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $118,460 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in New York pays icu nurses the most?
- Among New York metros we track, New York tends to have the highest estimated pay for icu nurses, at roughly $123,700 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does New York icu nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national estimate for a icu nurse is about $104,830 a year, versus an estimated $118,460 in New York — about 13% above the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)
New York figures for SOC 29-1141 are modeled by applying a state wage index of 1.13 to the BLS national median. Import official OEWS state files to replace with verified figures.
Source year 2024. Last reviewed June 1, 2025. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national icu nurse pay adjusted for New York. Last reviewed June 1, 2025.