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What is the average incentive bonus for a Coronary Care Unit RN Job?Employed vs. self-employed Coronary Care Unit RN JobWhat is the average salary for a CCU RN in the U.S.?How much do entry-level CCU nurses make?What kind of bonuses is a CCU nurse eligible for?How much more do travel CCU nurses make compared to employed CCU nurses?Does certification increase CCU nurse pay?Coronary Care Unit Nurse Job Description
A Coronary Care Unit (CCU) nurse provides intensive care to patients with acute and life-threatening heart conditions. They are a specialized type of cardiac nurse. CCU nurses monitor a patient’s vital signs and cardiac function, deliver cardiac medications, and are skilled in emergency care.
The demand for CCU nurses is expected to grow quickly with many forecasted job openings. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033 which is faster than all other occupations. There is a critical need for this specialty due to an aging population with chronic conditions, the high quality of care required in a critical care setting, and staffing shortages.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Coronary Care Unit RN Jobs in the US
The salary for a cardiac nurse is influenced by the demand for specialized nurses, the cost of living, and regional economic conditions. A CCU nurse may make between $3000-10,000 more a year than a cardiac nurse if all else is equal (experience, shifts, location, etc.). According to ZipRecruiter the highest and lowest paying states for cardiac nurses are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Cardiac RNs:
1. Washington
2. New York
3. Massachusetts
4. Alaska
5. Vermont
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Cardiac RNs:
1. Florida
2. West Virginia
3. Arkansas
4. Georgia
5. Louisiana
The state data varies between resources.
Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary Median
** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/coronary-care-unit-nurse-jobs/trends/
Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average salary
The median, entry level, and average salary for a coronary care unit nurse is similar to a cardiac care unit or critical care nurse. The average salary is estimated at $94,600 a year or $45.50/ hour. The median salary is estimated at $95,000 a year or $45-$50 per hour. An entry-level salary is between $70,000-$85,000 or $25-$35 and hour depending upon the region. It is estimated that a traveling nurse can make 16% more weekly than a non-traveling nurse.
Average Cardiac RN Salary by State (for non-traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $73,325 | $1,410 | $35.25 |
| Alaska | $87,123 | $1,675 | $41.89 |
| Arizona | $75,388 | $1,449 | $36.24 |
| Arkansas | $66,895 | $1,286 | $32.16 |
| California | $79,839 | $1,535 | $38.38 |
| Colorado | $85,066 | $1,635 | $40.90 |
| Connecticut | $76,957 | $1,479 | $37.00 |
| Delaware | $80,968 | $1,557 | $38.93 |
| Florida | $60,455 | $1,162 | $29.06 |
| Georgia | $68,309 | $1,313 | $32.84 |
| Hawaii | $84,050 | $1,616 | $40.41 |
| Idaho | $76,117 | $1,463 | $36.59 |
| Illinois | $78,392 | $1,507 | $37.69 |
| Indiana | $76,980 | $1,480 | $37.01 |
| Iowa | $75,985 | $1,461 | $36.53 |
| Kansas | $72,149 | $1,387 | $34.69 |
| Kentucky | $70,262 | $1,351 | $33.78 |
| Louisiana | $69,178 | $1,330 | $33.26 |
| Maine | $78,326 | $1,506 | $37.66 |
| Maryland | $78,515 | $1,509 | $37.75 |
| Massachusetts | $88,351 | $1,699 | $42.48 |
| Michigan | $70,510 | $1,355 | $33.90 |
| Minnesota | $79,233 | $1,523 | $38.09 |
| Mississippi | $76,616 | $1,473 | $36.83 |
| Missouri | $75,883 | $1,459 | $36.48 |
| Montana | $74,252 | $1,427 | $35.70 |
| Nebraska | $77,132 | $1,483 | $37.08 |
| Nevada | $82,379 | $1,584 | $39.61 |
| New Hampshire | $78,674 | $1,512 | $37.82 |
| New Jersey | $82,131 | $1,579 | $39.49 |
| New Mexico | $78,396 | $1,507 | $37.69 |
| New York | $88,505 | $1,702 | $42.55 |
| North Carolina | $73,520 | $1,413 | $35.35 |
| North Dakota | $85,597 | $1,646 | $41.15 |
| Ohio | $76,910 | $1,479 | $36.98 |
| Oklahoma | $74,696 | $1,436 | $35.91 |
| Oregon | $85,533 | $1,644 | $41.12 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,092 | $1,559 | $38.99 |
| Rhode Island | $79,225 | $1,523 | $38.09 |
| South Carolina | $75,070 | $1,443 | $36.09 |
| South Dakota | $80,898 | $1,555 | $38.89 |
| Tennessee | $73,425 | $1,412 | $35.30 |
| Texas | $75,369 | $1,449 | $36.24 |
| Utah | $73,647 | $1,416 | $35.41 |
| Vermont | $86,015 | $1,654 | $41.35 |
| Virginia | $80,204 | $1,542 | $38.56 |
| Washington | $91,625 | $1,762 | $44.05 |
| West Virginia | $62,629 | $1,204 | $30.11 |
| Wisconsin | $81,655 | $1,570 | $39.26 |
| Wyoming | $77,761 | $1,495 | $37.39 |
**Data from Zippia for Cardiac Nurse, CCU nurses can expect to earn $3K-10,000K more
- Average Cardiac RN Job Salary by State (for traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $82,124 | $1,579 | $39.48 |
| Alaska | $97,578 | $1,876 | $46.91 |
| Arizona | $84,434 | $1,623 | $40.59 |
| Arkansas | $74,922 | $1,440 | $36.02 |
| California | $88,696 | $1,705 | $42.64 |
| Colorado | $95,273 | $1,832 | $45.80 |
| Connecticut | $86,191 | $1,657 | $41.43 |
| Delaware | $90,684 | $1,743 | $43.60 |
| Florida | $67,709 | $1,302 | $32.55 |
| Georgia | $76,506 | $1,471 | $36.78 |
| Hawaii | $94,136 | $1,810 | $45.25 |
| Idaho | $85,251 | $1,639 | $40.98 |
| Illinois | $87,799 | $1,688 | $42.21 |
| Indiana | $86,217 | $1,658 | $41.45 |
| Iowa | $85,103 | $1,636 | $40.91 |
| Kansas | $80,806 | $1,553 | $38.84 |
| Kentucky | $78,693 | $1,513 | $37.83 |
| Louisiana | $77,479 | $1,489 | $37.24 |
| Maine | $87,725 | $1,687 | $42.17 |
| Maryland | $87,936 | $1,691 | $42.27 |
| Massachusetts | $98,953 | $1,902 | $47.57 |
| Michigan | $78,971 | $1,519 | $37.96 |
| Minnesota | $88,740 | $1,706 | $42.66 |
| Mississippi | $85,809 | $1,650 | $41.25 |
| Missouri | $84,988 | $1,634 | $40.85 |
| Montana | $83,162 | $1,599 | $39.98 |
| Nebraska | $86,387 | $1,661 | $41.53 |
| Nevada | $92,264 | $1,774 | $44.35 |
| New Hampshire | $88,114 | $1,694 | $42.36 |
| New Jersey | $91,986 | $1,769 | $44.22 |
| New Mexico | $87,803 | $1,688 | $42.21 |
| New York | $99,125 | $1,906 | $47.65 |
| North Carolina | $82,342 | $1,583 | $39.58 |
| North Dakota | $95,868 | $1,843 | $46.09 |
| Ohio | $86,139 | $1,656 | $41.41 |
| Oklahoma | $83,659 | $1,608 | $40.22 |
| Oregon | $95,796 | $1,842 | $46.05 |
| Pennsylvania | $90,823 | $1,746 | $43.66 |
| Rhode Island | $88,732 | $1,706 | $42.66 |
| South Carolina | $84,078 | $1,616 | $40.42 |
| South Dakota | $90,605 | $1,742 | $43.56 |
| Tennessee | $82,236 | $1,581 | $39.53 |
| Texas | $84,413 | $1,623 | $40.58 |
| Utah | $82,484 | $1,586 | $39.65 |
| Vermont | $96,336 | $1,852 | $46.31 |
| Virginia | $89,828 | $1,727 | $43.18 |
| Washington | $102,620 | $1,973 | $49.33 |
| West Virginia | $70,144 | $1,348 | $33.72 |
| Wisconsin | $91,453 | $1,758 | $43.96 |
| Wyoming | $87,092 | $1,674 | $41.87 |
Note: Numbers based on an average 12% more than a non-traveling nurse (data says 8-15%)
What is the average incentive bonus for a Coronary Care Unit RN Job?
Coronary care unit nurse bonuses can vary based on location, employer policies, and the nurse’s performance. Sign-on bonuses range from $5,000-$20,000 for CCU nurses depending upon the area. Some employers offer retention bonuses between $1,500-$5,000 depending on meeting certain metrics, patient satisfaction scores or the retention period. CCU nurses can earn an extra $3-$8 per hour for night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
Employed vs. self-employed Coronary Care Unit RN Job
Salaries vary based on being employed vs self-employed. Employed RNs (W-2) earn a fixed, stable salary, health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Employers will withhold their taxes. A self-employed (1099) or travel CCU RN can earn a higher hourly rate and may have more flexibility; however, their job is less stable. They may/may not be provided with healthcare, liability coverage or a retirement plan and are responsible for submitting their own taxes.
Most common benefits for a Coronary Care Unit RN
The many professional and personal benefits include:
1. Job Security- Coronary care nurses are in high demand due to the aging population, increase in cardiovascular diseases, and staffing shortages.
2. Specialized Skill Development- CCU nurses have specialized skills in cardiology, hemodynamic monitoring and life support.
3. Career Advancement- CCU nurses can take on leadership roles and earn specialized certifications for further development.
4.Higher Compensation- CCU nurses earn higher salaries due to their advanced expertise and have the potential to earn bonuses, overtimes and shift differentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a CCU RN in the U.S.?
The average salary is between $94,000- $95,000 per year based on experience, location, and advanced certifications.
How much do entry-level CCU nurses make?
Entry-level CCU nurses earn $70,000-$80,000 annually based on the area and employer.
What kind of bonuses is a CCU nurse eligible for?
CCU nurses can earn sign-on bonuses ($5,000–$20,000), retention bonuses ($1,500–$5,000), and shift differentials ($3–$8/hour extra for nights/weekends).
How much more do travel CCU nurses make compared to employed CCU nurses?
Travel CCU nurses can earn 8–15% more than staff nurses, often due to higher hourly rates, tax-free stipends, and short-term contracts.
Does certification increase CCU nurse pay?
Earning certifications such as CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) can increase their salary by $5,000–$10,000 annually.