How much is the icu nurse vs er nurse pay gap in Washington?

The estimated gap in Washington is about $2,300 a year, or roughly 2% more for icu nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these Washington figures exact?

No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Washington wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Washington's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.

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.

Washington · WA

ICU Nurse vs ER Nurse salary in Washington

In Washington, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $128,920 a year versus $126,620 for er nurses, a gap of about $2,300 (roughly 2% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Washington.

ICU Nurse — Washington

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$128,920

+18% vs national

Hourly

$61.98/hr

Median $128,920

$91,110Middle 50%: $106,160–$148,480$181,680

Typical range: $106,160–$148,480; What most nurses earn
High end: $181,680; Top earners
Entry level: $91,110; Newer nurses

ER Nurse — Washington

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$126,620

+18% vs national

Hourly

$60.88/hr

Median $126,620

$89,480Middle 50%: $104,270–$145,830$178,440

Typical range: $104,270–$145,830; What most nurses earn
High end: $178,440; Top earners
Entry level: $89,480; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Washington

ICU and ER nursing are both high-acuity specialties, with pay based on registered-nurse wages. Pay is close; differences come down to certification, shift differentials, and the local market rather than a separate official wage. The Washington figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for Washington's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national ICU Nurse vs ER Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.

ICU Nurse vs ER Nurse in Washington — FAQ

Do icu nurses or er nurses earn more in Washington?: In Washington, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $128,920 a year versus $126,620 for er nurses, a gap of about $2,300 (roughly 2% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Washington's local pay level.
How much is the icu nurse vs er nurse pay gap in Washington?: The estimated gap in Washington is about $2,300 a year, or roughly 2% more for icu nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Washington figures exact?: No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Washington wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Washington's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.
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)

Washington figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 1.18×).

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for Washington. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.