Do icu nurses or med-surg nurses earn more in California?

In California, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $157,100 a year versus $140,270 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $16,830 (roughly 12% more). Both are estimates: public wage data does not report these roles separately, so each starts from reported California pay for the closest reported role.

How much is the icu nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in California?

The estimated gap in California is about $16,830 a year, or roughly 12% 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 estimates, not separately reported wages. Public wage data doesn't break out every nursing role, so where it doesn't, we start from reported California pay for the closest reported role and adjust. Treat those as a ballpark.

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

ICU Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse salary in California

In California, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $157,100 a year versus $140,270 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $16,830 (roughly 12% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for California.

ICU Nurse — California

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$157,100

+44% vs national

Hourly

$75.53/hr

Median $157,100

$113,410Middle 50%: $137,130–$193,950$238,920

Typical range: $137,130–$193,950; What most nurses earn
High end: $238,920; Top earners
Entry level: $113,410; Newer nurses

Med-Surg Nurse — California

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$140,270

+44% vs national

Hourly

$67.44/hr

Median $140,270

$101,260Middle 50%: $122,440–$173,170$213,320

Typical range: $122,440–$173,170; What most nurses earn
High end: $213,320; Top earners
Entry level: $101,260; Newer nurses

Why the gap in California

ICU nurses are modeled to earn slightly more than med-surg nurses, though both roles are built on the same RN license and wage base. The edge reflects the ICU's higher patient acuity, lower nurse-to-patient ratios, and critical-care certifications such as the CCRN. 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 ICU Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.

ICU Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse in California — FAQ

Do icu nurses or med-surg nurses earn more in California?: In California, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $157,100 a year versus $140,270 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $16,830 (roughly 12% more). Both are estimates: public wage data does not report these roles separately, so each starts from reported California pay for the closest reported role.
How much is the icu nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in California?: The estimated gap in California is about $16,830 a year, or roughly 12% 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 estimates, not separately reported wages. Public wage data doesn't break out every nursing role, so where it doesn't, we start from reported California pay for the closest reported role and adjust. Treat those as a ballpark.
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 specialty estimate (BLS state wage × specialty adjustment)

Public wage data does not report ICU Nurse separately. This figure starts from the wage the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published for Registered Nurse in California (May 2025) and applies a 1.12× specialty adjustment.

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for California. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.