Registered Nurse Nicu Salary in the United States

How much does a Registered Nurse Nicu make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Registered Nurse Nicu in the United States is $119,165 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

However, a Registered Nurse Nicu's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $132,578
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $112,189 to $126,186
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,838

Key Factors That Influence Registered Nurse Nicu Salaries

A Registered Nurse Nicu'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 Registered Nurse Nicu Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Registered Nurse Nicu'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): $118,487
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $118,681
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $121,187
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $124,368
  • Expert (over 8 years): $124,595
Levels Salary
Entry Level Registered Nurse Nicu$118,487
Intermediate Level Registered Nurse Nicu$118,681
Senior Level Registered Nurse Nicu$121,187
Specialist Level Registered Nurse Nicu$124,368
Expert Level Registered Nurse Nicu$124,595

Top Paying Cities for Registered Nurse Nicus

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: $150,303
  • San Francisco: $148,657
  • Oakland: $145,524

What Skills Can Increase a Registered Nurse Nicu's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Collaboration (Mentioned in 6.61% Job Postings): Works cooperatively and shares ideas with coworkers and managers to achieve common goals and objectives.
  • Psychiatric (Mentioned in 2.79% Job Postings): Periodically and systematically assessing the client's dietary intake and nutritional status to ensure the effectiveness of nutrition intervention.
  • Wound Care (Mentioned in 2.05% Job Postings): Decontaminating medical equipment and instruments from harmful microorganisms to avoid transmission of infectious pathogens to patients.
Skills Demand Percentage
Collaboration 6.61%
Psychiatric 2.79%
Wound Care 2.05%

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 Registered Nurse Nicu's salary.

  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Collaborating: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Medical Services: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting $125,123
5%
Collaborating $122,740
3%
Medical Services $122,740
3%

Registered Nurse Nicu Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Registered Nurse Nicu roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 15% above the average. Conversely, Registered Nurse Nicu positions in Edu., Government & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Registered Nurse Nicu as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Registered Nurse Nicu

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$137,040$66.015%

How Education impacts a Registered Nurse Nicu's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Registered Nurse Nicus enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA 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 Registered Nurse Nicu with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $136,259 and $142,517).

Registered Nurse Nicu Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Registered Nurse Nicu
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.6%
High School 11.1%
Associates 22.2%
Bachelors 22.2%
Masters 50.0%
Doctorate 11.1%

Registered Nurse Nicu Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Registered Nurse Nicu'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 September 01, 2026
$112,189
Average $119,165/year
$126,186
$9,349
Average $9,930/month
$10,516
$2,157
Average $2,292/week
$2,427
$54
Average $57/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $126,186 $10,516 $2,427 $61
Average $119,165 $9,930 $2,292 $57
25th Percentile $112,189 $9,349 $2,157 $54

Most common benefits for Registered Nurse Nicu

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Registered Nurse Nicu

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

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FAQ about Registered Nurse Nicu

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Registered Nurse Nicu?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Registered Nurse Nicu roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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