Do icu nurses or pacu nurses earn more in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $94,470 a year versus $89,410 for pacu nurses, a gap of about $5,060 (roughly 6% more). Both are estimates: public wage data does not report these roles separately, so each starts from reported North Carolina pay for the closest reported role.

How much is the icu nurse vs pacu nurse pay gap in North Carolina?

The estimated gap in North Carolina is about $5,060 a year, or roughly 6% 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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.

North Carolina · NC

ICU Nurse vs PACU Nurse salary in North Carolina

In North Carolina, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $94,470 a year versus $89,410 for pacu nurses, a gap of about $5,060 (roughly 6% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for North Carolina.

ICU Nurse — North Carolina

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$94,470

-14% vs national

Hourly

$45.42/hr

Median $94,470

$75,780Middle 50%: $88,220–$114,280$123,450

Typical range: $88,220–$114,280; What most nurses earn
High end: $123,450; Top earners
Entry level: $75,780; Newer nurses

PACU Nurse — North Carolina

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$89,410

-14% vs national

Hourly

$42.99/hr

Median $89,410

$71,720Middle 50%: $83,500–$108,160$116,830

Typical range: $83,500–$108,160; What most nurses earn
High end: $116,830; Top earners
Entry level: $71,720; Newer nurses

Why the gap in North Carolina

ICU and PACU (post-anesthesia) nurse pay is close, as both are RN roles on the same wage base. The ICU carries round-the-clock critical-care acuity and certifications, while PACU work is recovery-focused with often more predictable hours; local market and shift differentials usually matter more than the role itself. The North Carolina figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for North Carolina's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national ICU Nurse vs PACU Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.

ICU Nurse vs PACU Nurse in North Carolina — FAQ

Do icu nurses or pacu nurses earn more in North Carolina?: In North Carolina, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $94,470 a year versus $89,410 for pacu nurses, a gap of about $5,060 (roughly 6% more). Both are estimates: public wage data does not report these roles separately, so each starts from reported North Carolina pay for the closest reported role.
How much is the icu nurse vs pacu nurse pay gap in North Carolina?: The estimated gap in North Carolina is about $5,060 a year, or roughly 6% 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina (May 2025) and applies a 1.12× specialty adjustment.

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

Estimated figures for North Carolina. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.