How much is the icu nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in North Dakota?

The estimated gap in North Dakota is about $10,770 a year, or roughly 12% 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 North Dakota figures exact?

No — they're modeled estimates, not verified North Dakota wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for North Dakota'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.

North Dakota · ND

ICU Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse salary in North Dakota

In North Dakota, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $100,520 a year versus $89,750 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $10,770 (roughly 12% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for North Dakota.

ICU Nurse — North Dakota

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$100,520

-8% vs national

Hourly

$48.33/hr

Median $100,520

$71,040Middle 50%: $82,770–$115,770$141,650

Typical range: $82,770–$115,770; What most nurses earn
High end: $141,650; Top earners
Entry level: $71,040; Newer nurses

Med-Surg Nurse — North Dakota

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$89,750

-8% vs national

Hourly

$43.15/hr

Median $89,750

$63,420Middle 50%: $73,900–$103,360$126,470

Typical range: $73,900–$103,360; What most nurses earn
High end: $126,470; Top earners
Entry level: $63,420; Newer nurses

Why the gap in North Dakota

ICU nurses are modeled to earn slightly more than med-surg nurses, though both roles are built on the same RN license and wage base. The edge reflects the ICU's higher patient acuity, lower nurse-to-patient ratios, and critical-care certifications such as the CCRN. The North Dakota figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for North Dakota's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national ICU Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.

ICU Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse in North Dakota — FAQ

Do icu nurses or med-surg nurses earn more in North Dakota?: In North Dakota, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $100,520 a year versus $89,750 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $10,770 (roughly 12% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for North Dakota's local pay level.
How much is the icu nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in North Dakota?: The estimated gap in North Dakota is about $10,770 a year, or roughly 12% 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 North Dakota figures exact?: No — they're modeled estimates, not verified North Dakota wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for North Dakota'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)

North Dakota figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 0.92×).

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

Estimated figures for North Dakota. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.