ICU vs PACU Nurse Salary
ICU Nurses earn more — a national median of $109,260 vs $103,400, a gap of about $5,860 per year.
ICU Nurse
Specialty estimate$109,260 / yr median
PACU Nurse
Specialty estimate$103,400 / yr median
Annual pay, side by side
- ICU NurseSpecialty estimate$109,260$52.53/hr
- PACU NurseSpecialty estimate$103,400$49.71/hr
What the difference comes down to
ICU and PACU (post-anesthesia) nurse pay is close, as both are RN roles on the same wage base. The ICU carries round-the-clock critical-care acuity and certifications, while PACU work is recovery-focused with often more predictable hours; local market and shift differentials usually matter more than the role itself. Scope of practice, required education, and autonomy are the biggest drivers of the gap. Use the calculator to personalize either path by your state, experience, and work setting.
ICU vs PACU Nurse Salary by state
Estimated pay gap for this comparison in each state.
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 specialty estimate
ICU Nurse is not broken out by BLS. Figures are modeled from the SOC 29-1141 median using a specialty differential of 1.12×, reflecting commonly reported pay differences. Treat as directional, not precise.
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology
Last reviewed July 3, 2026.
ICU vs PACU Nurse Salary FAQ
- Do ICU Nurses or PACU Nurses earn more?
- ICU Nurses earn more, with a national median of about $109,260 a year vs $103,400 for PACU Nurses — a gap of roughly $5,860 per year.
- How big is the pay gap between ICU Nurses and PACU Nurses?
- The difference is about $5,860 a year, or roughly 6% more for ICU Nurses. It varies by state, experience, setting, and shift — use the calculator to compare both for your own situation.
- Why do ICU Nurses earn more than PACU Nurses?
- Both roles are paid on the same registered-nurse base, so the gap comes down to certification, shift differentials, unit acuity, and the local market rather than a separate official wage.
- 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.
Related searches
Looking for other comparisons? Browse all roles.