How much is the operating room nurse vs icu nurse pay gap in California?

The estimated gap in California is about $5,380 a year, or roughly 4% 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 California figures exact?

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

California · CA

Operating Room Nurse vs ICU Nurse salary in California

In California, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $150,770 a year versus $145,390 for operating room nurses, a gap of about $5,380 (roughly 4% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for California.

Operating Room Nurse — California

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$145,390

+38% vs national

Hourly

$69.90/hr

Median $145,390

$102,750Middle 50%: $119,720–$167,450$204,890

Typical range: $119,720–$167,450; What most nurses earn
High end: $204,890; Top earners
Entry level: $102,750; Newer nurses

ICU Nurse — California

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$150,770

+38% vs national

Hourly

$72.49/hr

Median $150,770

$106,550Middle 50%: $124,160–$173,650$212,470

Typical range: $124,160–$173,650; What most nurses earn
High end: $212,470; Top earners
Entry level: $106,550; Newer nurses

Why the gap in California

Operating room and ICU nurse pay is comparable, as both are high-acuity RN specialties on the same wage base. OR nursing centers on perioperative and surgical support with call coverage; ICU on continuous critical care. Certifications (CNOR, CCRN), call, and the local market drive most of the difference. The California figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for California's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national Operating Room Nurse vs ICU Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.

Operating Room Nurse vs ICU Nurse in California — FAQ

Do operating room nurses or icu nurses earn more in California?: In California, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $150,770 a year versus $145,390 for operating room nurses, a gap of about $5,380 (roughly 4% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for California's local pay level.
How much is the operating room nurse vs icu nurse pay gap in California?: The estimated gap in California is about $5,380 a year, or roughly 4% 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 California figures exact?: No — they're modeled estimates, not verified California wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for California'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)

California figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 1.38×).

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

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