Hourly Wage for PACU Nurse Salary in the United States

What is the hourly salary range of PACU Nurse?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a PACU Nurse in the United States is $47, which translates to an annual salary of about $96,800.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $57 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43 to $52 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $43 10% $39 90% $57 75% $52 $47 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

PACU Nurse Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $108,000 $9,000 $2,077 $52
Average $96,800 $8,067 $1,862 $47
25th Percentile $88,400 $7,367 $1,700 $43
Check out PACU Nurse Job Openings in the United States
PACU Registered Nurse

MedPro Healthcare Staffing - Columbus, OH

Registered Nurse Preop Pacu OR

Ambulatory Surgery Center - Columbus, OH

Travel Registered Nurse PACU

Anders Group, LLC - Columbus, OH

Travel PACU Registered Nurse

Anders Group - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence PACU Nurse Salaries

A PACU 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, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects PACU Nurse Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a PACU 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $94,042
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $94,293
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $97,636
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $102,316
  • Expert (over 8 years): $102,651
Levels Salary
Entry Level PACU Nurse$94,042
Intermediate Level PACU Nurse$94,293
Senior Level PACU Nurse$97,636
Specialist Level PACU Nurse$102,316
Expert Level PACU Nurse$102,651
$94,042 0 yr
$94,293 < 2 yrs
$97,636 2-4 yrs
$102,316 5-8 yrs
$102,651 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for PACU Nurses

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:

  • San Jose: $122,000
  • San Francisco: $120,700
  • Oakland: $118,100

What Skills Can Increase a PACU Nurse's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 4.88% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Anesthesia (Mentioned in 3.92% Job Postings): Administering and controlling sedations and narcotics to help patients relieve pain during various surgeries and treatments.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 2.11% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 4.88%
Anesthesia 3.92%
CPR 2.11%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a PACU Nurse's salary.
  • Employee Engagement: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Employee Engagement
$103,576
7%
Risk Management
$102,608
6%
Verbal Communication
$102,608
6%
Accountability
$102,608
6%
Anesthesia
$101,640
5%
Ambulatory Surgery
$101,640
5%
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PACU Nurse Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

PACU Nurse salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $102,678. While startup companies pay approximate $87,496.

PACU Nurse Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$87,496
Growth Stage51~500$92,364
Established501~5000$99,320
Enterprise5000+$102,678

PACU Nurse Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For PACU 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, PACU Nurse positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view PACU Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a PACU Nurse

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$116,160$56.020%

How Education impacts a PACU Nurse's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many PACU Nurses enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a PACU Nurse with a Associate's Degree is between $92,722 and $98,464).

PACU Nurse Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for PACU Nurse
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 0.8%
Associates 46.1%
Bachelors 47.7%
Masters 4.7%
Doctorate 0.0%
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PACU Nurse Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a PACU 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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for PACU Nurse

Salaries for a PACU Nurse can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $209,336 in 2023 to around $203,607 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of PACU Nurse salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of PACU Nurse Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$209,336
2024
$211,584
2025
$203,607
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $209,336
2024 $211,584
2025 $203,607
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for PACU Nurse

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for PACU Nurse

Here are companies hiring for PACU Nurse and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next PACU Nurse Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current PACU Nurse job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Voca Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Voca Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Voca Healthcare is seeking a travel nurse RN PACU - Post Anesthesia Care for a travel nursing job in Columbus, Ohio. Job Description & Requirements Special... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Prime Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Prime Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Prime Staffing is seeking a travel nurse RN PACU - Post Anesthesia Care for a travel nursing job in Columbus, Ohio. Job Description & Requirements Specialt... more

    5 Days Ago

  • GHR Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    GHR Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    GHR Healthcare - PH Division is seeking a travel nurse RN PACU - Post Anesthesia Care for a travel nursing job in Columbus, Ohio. Job Description & Require... more

    5 Days Ago

  • MedPro Healthcare Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    MedPro Healthcare Staffing | Columbus, OH

    MedPro Healthcare Staffing is seeking a travel nurse RN PACU - Post Anesthesia Care for a travel nursing job in Columbus, Ohio. Job Description & Requireme... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Trailblazer Staffing Solutions

    Columbus, OH

    Trailblazer Staffing Solutions | Columbus, OH

    Trailblazer Staffing Solutions is seeking a travel nurse RN PACU - Post Anesthesia Care for a travel nursing job in Columbus, Ohio. Job Description & Requi... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Carenest Health

    Columbus, OH

    Carenest Health | Columbus, OH

    Preop/Pacu Rn. Location: The Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital. Shift: Day shift. shifts rotate between closer and opener. 5a-5:30p and 8a-8:30p. Call include... more

    4 Days Ago

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FAQ about PACU Nurse

1. What industry pays the highest salary for PACU Nurse?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for PACU Nurse roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Do PACU nurses work overnight?

PACU nurses typically work in facilities that operate around the clock, which means they may be required to work overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays. The salary for PACU nurses ranges from $88,100 to $110,500, with a mid-range salary of $98,300, reflecting the demanding nature of their roles in patient recovery.

3. What is the lowest paid RN specialty?

While school nursing is often considered one of the lowest-paid nursing specialties at around $65,048, the PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) nursing specialty offers a significantly higher salary range. PACU nurses earn between $88,100 and $110,500, with a median salary of $98,300, reflecting the specialized skills and responsibilities required in this role.

4. What is the most chill nurse job?

If you're looking for a nursing career with lower stress levels, consider roles like Public Health Nurse, Nurse Researcher, or Telehealth Nurse. These positions often provide a more relaxed environment. Additionally, PACU Nurses earn a competitive salary, with a minimum of $88,100, a mid-range of $98,300, and a maximum of $110,500, making it a financially rewarding option as well.

5. What is the lowest paid position in a hospital?

The lowest paid positions in a hospital typically include roles like admitting clerks, activity aides, dietary aides, pharmacy technicians, and nursing aides. In contrast, a PACU nurse earns a minimum salary of $88,100, a mid-range salary of $98,300, and a maximum salary of $110,500, highlighting the significant pay difference in nursing roles compared to entry-level positions.

6. Can I work PACU without ICU experience?

Most PACU roles require 1-2 years of recent experience in a critical care setting like the ICU, ER, or cardiac care unit. This experience is crucial for managing post-surgery patients who need intensive monitoring. PACU nurses can expect a salary ranging from $88,100 to $110,500, with a median salary of $98,300, reflecting the specialized skills required for the role.

7. Are PACU nurses in demand?

The job outlook for PACU nurses is very strong. As the population ages and surgical procedures increase, the demand for skilled post-anesthesia care rises. PACU nurses can expect competitive salaries, with a minimum of $88,100, a mid-range of $98,300, and a maximum of $110,500, reflecting their essential role in healthcare.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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