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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an ICU Nurse in North Carolina is $86,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.
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 | $96,300 | $8,025 | $1,852 | $46 |
| Average | $86,300 | $7,192 | $1,660 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,800 | $6,567 | $1,515 | $38 |
CarolinaEast Health System - New Bern, NC
Advantis Medical Staffing - Chapel Hill, NC
MedPro Healthcare Staffing - Roxboro, NC
Cone Health - Burlington, NC
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 | $83,853 |
| Intermediate Level ICU Nurse | $84,075 |
| Senior Level ICU Nurse | $87,032 |
| Specialist Level ICU Nurse | $91,202 |
| Expert Level ICU Nurse | $91,500 |
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 $91,540. While startup companies pay approximate $78,005.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $78,005 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $82,345 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $88,547 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $91,540 |
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 | $103,560 | $50.0 | 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 | $96,300 | $8,025 | $1,852 | $46 |
| Average | $86,300 | $7,192 | $1,660 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,800 | $6,567 | $1,515 | $38 |
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 | $154,000 | 78% |
| Director Intensive Care Unit Operations | $146,500 | 70% |
| Entry Registered Nurse - Staff | $70,000 | -19% |
| Organ Transplant Coordinator RN | $104,700 | 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.
Aya Healthcare
Fayetteville, NC
Aya Healthcare | Fayetteville, NC
Travel Icu Registered Nurse. Aya Healthcare has an immediate opening for a travel ICU registered nurse job in Fayetteville, North Carolina paying $1,921.00... more
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Advantis Medical Staffing
Chapel Hill, NC
Advantis Medical Staffing | Chapel Hill, NC
Travel Cvicu Nurse In Chapel Hill, Nc. This cvicu travel nurse job in chapel hill, north carolina, with advantis medical is a 13-week travel cvicu register... more
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Novant Health
Winston Salem, NC
Novant Health | Winston Salem, NC
Registered Nurse. Forsyth Medical Center Winston-Salem, NC. Neuro ICU. Schedule: 7p-7a PT Nights. Role Type: Clinical Support Direct Patient Care. We're Gr... more
4 Days Ago
Novant Health
Winston Salem, NC
Novant Health | Winston Salem, NC
Cardiac Icu Nurse. This is a 24 bed Cardiac ICU unit where Nurse:Patient ratios range from 1:2-1:3 based on patient acuity. This highly engaged team is inn... more
4 Days Ago
Supplemental Health Care
Chapel Hill, NC
Supplemental Health Care | Chapel Hill, NC
ICU Registered Nurse. Supplemental Health Care is hiring ICU Registered Nurses for contract assignments at partnering hospitals in Chapel Hill, North Carol... more
4 Days Ago
Advantis Medical Staffing
Roxboro, NC
Advantis Medical Staffing | Roxboro, NC
Travel RN ICU Nurse in Roxboro, NC. This ICU travel nurse job in Roxboro, North Carolina, with Advantis Medical is a 13-week Travel ICU Registered Nurse (R... more
4 Days Ago
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