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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an ICU Nurse in California is $100,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.
However, an ICU Nurse's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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ICU Nurse Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $111,800 | $9,317 | $2,150 | $54 |
| Average | $100,200 | $8,350 | $1,927 | $48 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,500 | $7,625 | $1,760 | $44 |
Health Advocates Network - Los Angeles, CA
Direct Staffing Inc - Selma, CA
InSync Consulting Services LLC - Selma, CA
Unavailable - Glendale, CA
An ICU Nurse's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an ICU Nurse's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level ICU Nurse | $97,327 |
| Intermediate Level ICU Nurse | $97,584 |
| Senior Level ICU Nurse | $101,017 |
| Specialist Level ICU Nurse | $105,857 |
| Expert Level ICU Nurse | $106,202 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract ICU Nurses. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
ICU Nurse salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $106,284. While startup companies pay approximate $90,569.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $90,569 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $95,608 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $102,809 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $106,284 |
For ICU Nurse roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, ICU Nurse positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view ICU Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $120,240 | $58.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an ICU Nurse's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $111,800 | $9,317 | $2,150 | $54 |
| Average | $100,200 | $8,350 | $1,927 | $48 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,500 | $7,625 | $1,760 | $44 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an ICU Nurse, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Director Mother and Baby Unit | $178,700 | 78% |
| Director Intensive Care Unit Operations | $170,000 | 70% |
| Entry Registered Nurse - Staff | $81,200 | -19% |
| Organ Transplant Coordinator RN | $121,500 | 21% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current ICU Nurse job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Kaiser Permanente
Sacramento, CA
Kaiser Permanente | Sacramento, CA
Description:Job Summary:In addition to the responsibilities below, this position is also responsible for assisting the implementation of best practice mode... more
2 Days Ago
Aya Healthcare
Long Beach, CA
Aya Healthcare | Long Beach, CA
Registered NursePay:$798.00/shiftSchedule:Flexible scheduling through Shifts appOpenings:9Start Date:03-30-2026Experience:1 yearCertifications:ACLS, BLS, N... more
2 Days Ago
MedPro Healthcare Staffing
Sonora, CA
MedPro Healthcare Staffing | Sonora, CA
ICU/CCU Registered Nurse. MedPro Healthcare Staffing, a Joint Commission-certified staffing agency, is seeking a quality ICU/CCU Registered Nurse for a tra... more
2 Days Ago
Common Spirit Health
Redding, CA
Common Spirit Health | Redding, CA
Nurse Trauma ICU. Job Summary and Responsibilities As a Registered Nurse (RN), you will be a pivotal healthcare professional, delivering compassionate, hig... more
2 Days Ago
Sutter Health
Burlingame, CA
Sutter Health | Burlingame, CA
Join Sutter Health. Supervises and oversees all nursing activities of patient care in an inpatient setting, ensuring consistent delivery of high-value qual... more
2 Days Ago
Associated Health Professionals, Inc.
San Francisco, CA
Associated Health Professionals, Inc. | San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Associated Health Professionals Inc. is seeking highly skilled Registered Nurses with recent. Critical Care. experience f... more
3 Days Ago
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