NICU Nurse salary in New York
A nicu nurse in the New York, NY area earns an estimated $126,620 a year ($60.88/hr) — about 18% above the U.S. average, with most between $104,270 and $145,830. City figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
NICU Nurse — New York, NY
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$126,620
+18% vs nationalHourly
$60.88/hr
- Typical range
- $104,270–$145,830
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $178,440
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $89,480
- Newer nurses
Part of NICU Nurse pay in New York.
Other nursing roles in New York
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this metro.
What affects nicu nurse pay in New York
Largest U.S. metro; high pay and cost of living. For a nicu nurse, local pay also reflects the concentration of major hospital systems and academic medical centers, union contracts, shift differentials, unit acuity, and how competitive staffing is. Nights, weekends, and critical-care specialties typically add to base pay. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
The New York figure adjusts the national RN average of $107,310 for local pay levels — a factor of 1.18× (about 18% above the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official New York wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official metro wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this metro estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for New York, based on national pay and local cost of living until official metro data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in New York make this page more precise over time.
NICU Nurse salary in New York — FAQ
- How much does a nicu nurse make in New York?
- A nicu nurse in the New York, NY area earns an estimated $126,620 a year — about $60.88 an hour, with most between $104,270 and $145,830. That's about 18% above the national average. This is an estimate based on the role's national pay and New York's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is New York a good place for nicu nurses?
- On pay, New York runs about 18% above the national average for nicu nurses. Big-city wages are often offset by a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $126,620 against local housing and expenses.
- How does New York nicu nurse pay compare to New York overall?
- Statewide, New York nicu nurses earn an estimated $121,250 a year, versus about $126,620 in New York. Metro pay can run above or below the state figure depending on hospital concentration and local demand.
- 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 estimate (BLS national × metro wage index)
New York, NY figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a metro adjustment of 1.18×).
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national nicu nurse pay adjusted for New York. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.