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1.What is the average salary for a CVICU nurse?Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Job Description
A cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) nurse is trained to care for critically ill patients with severe cardiac and vascular disease. They work in the cardiovascular ICU, treat patients who are recovering from a major heart surgery or life-threatening condition and are trained to respond to emergencies like arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the overall employment of registered nurses will grow 6% from 2022 to 2032 with CVICU RNs in high demand because of the aging population and high rates of cardiovascular disease, the #1 cause of death in the U.S.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for a Cardiovascular ICU RN Jobs in the US
The salary for a CVICU nurse is influenced by the demand for nurses, the cost of living, and regional economic conditions. The highest and lowest paying states for ICU RNs are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Cardiac ICU RNs:
1. California
2. Massachusetts
3. New York
4. Washington
5. New Jersey
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Cardiac ICU RNs:
1. Mississippi
2. Montana
3. West Virginia
4. Idaho
5. Oklahoma
The state salary data varies between sources.
Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary Median
** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/intensive-care-unit-nurse/#salary-history-line-chart
The salary difference between a CVICU nurse and a general ICU nurse is between $5,000-$10,000/year.
Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average salary
The median salary for a CVICU nurse in the U.S. is influenced by their experience, location, certifications, and employing institution but ranges from $90,000-$95,000 per year. Entry-level jobs pay $72,000-$80,000 per year. The average salary for a general ICU nurse ranges from $78,000-$95,000 per year where as a CVICU nurse’s salary ranges from $85,000-$105,000 per year. On average, a CVICU nurse earns $5,000 – $10,000 more annually than a general ICU nurse. CVICU travel nurses earn $2,400 – $3,200/week which is $200–$500 more per week than a general ICU travel nurse.
Average CVICU RN Salary by State (for non-traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $81,579 | $1,569 | $39.22 |
| Alaska | $92,944 | $1,787 | $44.68 |
| Arizona | $94,435 | $1,816 | $45.40 |
| Arkansas | $86,326 | $1,660 | $41.50 |
| California | $116,231 | $2,235 | $55.88 |
| Colorado | $78,752 | $1,514 | $37.86 |
| Connecticut | $110,335 | $2,122 | $53.05 |
| Delaware | $115,612 | $2,223 | $55.58 |
| Florida | $81,199 | $1,562 | $39.04 |
| Georgia | $94,869 | $1,824 | $45.61 |
| Hawaii | $97,931 | $1,883 | $47.08 |
| Idaho | $81,003 | $1,558 | $38.94 |
| Illinois | $97,906 | $1,883 | $47.07 |
| Indiana | $76,869 | $1,478 | $36.97 |
| Iowa | $84,349 | $1,622 | $40.55 |
| Kansas | $82,933 | $1,595 | $39.87 |
| Kentucky | $87,249 | $1,678 | $41.95 |
| Louisiana | $81,075 | $1,559 | $38.98 |
| Maine | $73,470 | $1,413 | $35.32 |
| Maryland | $88,857 | $1,709 | $42.72 |
| Massachusetts | $111,274 | $2,140 | $53.50 |
| Michigan | $90,285 | $1,736 | $43.41 |
| Minnesota | $106,610 | $2,050 | $51.25 |
| Mississippi | $65,753 | $1,264 | $31.61 |
| Missouri | $85,274 | $1,640 | $40.99 |
| Montana | $93,930 | $1,806 | $45.16 |
| Nebraska | $66,108 | $1,271 | $31.78 |
| Nevada | $116,451 | $2,239 | $55.99 |
| New Hampshire | $90,701 | $1,744 | $43.60 |
| New Jersey | $93,571 | $1,727 | $40.18 |
| New Mexico | $98,370 | $1,799 | $44.99 |
| New York | $100,382 | $1,930 | $48.26 |
| North Carolina | $91,446 | $1,759 | $43.96 |
| North Dakota | $105,309 | $2,025 | $50.62 |
| Ohio | $82,530 | $1,587 | $39.68 |
| Oklahoma | $90,496 | $1,740 | $43.51 |
| Oregon | $111,487 | $2,144 | $53.60 |
| Pennsylvania | $92,567 | $1,780 | $44.50 |
| Rhode Island | $102,991 | $1,981 | $49.51 |
| South Carolina | $83,901 | $1,613 | $40.34 |
| South Dakota | $82,499 | $1,587 | $39.66 |
| Tennessee | $86,180 | $1,657 | $41.43 |
| Texas | $82,816 | $1,593 | $39.82 |
| Utah | $109,356 | $2,103 | $52.58 |
| Vermont | $86,187 | $1,557 | $41.44 |
| Virginia | $86,063 | $1,655 | $41.38 |
| Washington | $105,055 | $2,020 | $50.50 |
| West Virginia | $86,827 | $1,670 | $41.74 |
| Wisconsin | $99,497 | $1,914 | $47.84 |
| Wyoming | $105,693 | $2,033 | $50.81 |
**Number are ICU RN salaries from Zippia with an additional 10K average added for the cardiac specialty
Average CVICU RN Job Salary by State (for traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $124,354 | $2,391 | $59.79 |
| Alaska | $145,872 | $2,805 | $70.13 |
| Arizona | $127,571 | $2,453 | $61.33 |
| Arkansas | $114,326 | $2,199 | $54.96 |
| California | $134,512 | $2,587 | $64.67 |
| Colorado | $142,664 | $2,744 | $68.59 |
| Connecticut | $130,018 | $2,500 | $62.51 |
| Delaware | $136,273 | $2,621 | $65.52 |
| Florida | $104,281 | $2,005 | $50.14 |
| Georgia | $116,531 | $2,241 | $56.02 |
| Hawaii | $141,079 | $2,713 | $67.83 |
| Idaho | $128,707 | $2,475 | $61.88 |
| Illinois | $132,256 | $2,543 | $63.58 |
| Indiana | $130,053 | $2,501 | $62.53 |
| Iowa | $128,502 | $2,471 | $61.78 |
| Kansas | $122,519 | $2,356 | $58.90 |
| Kentucky | $119,577 | $2,299 | $57.49 |
| Louisiana | $117,886 | $2,267 | $56.68 |
| Maine | $132,152 | $2,541 | $63.53 |
| Maryland | $132,447 | $2,547 | $63.68 |
| Massachusetts | $147,787 | $2,842 | $71.05 |
| Michigan | $119,964 | $2,307 | $57.68 |
| Minnesota | $133,567 | $2,569 | $64.21 |
| Mississippi | $129,486 | $2,490 | $62.25 |
| Missouri | $128,342 | $2,468 | $61.70 |
| Montana | $125,799 | $2,419 | $60.48 |
| Nebraska | $130,291 | $2,506 | $62.64 |
| Nevada | $138,474 | $2,663 | $66.57 |
| New Hampshire | $132,696 | $2,552 | $63.80 |
| New Jersey | $138,086 | $2,656 | $66.39 |
| New Mexico | $132,262 | $2,544 | $63.59 |
| New York | $148,028 | $2,847 | $71.17 |
| North Carolina | $124,658 | $2,397 | $59.93 |
| North Dakota | $143,492 | $2,759 | $68.99 |
| Ohio | $129,944 | $2,499 | $62.47 |
| Oklahoma | $126,492 | $2,433 | $60.81 |
| Oregon | $143,391 | $2,758 | $68.94 |
| Pennsylvania | $136,467 | $2,624 | $65.61 |
| Rhode Island | $133,554 | $2,568 | $64.20 |
| South Carolina | $127,075 | $2,444 | $61.09 |
| South Dakota | $136,164 | $2,619 | $65.46 |
| Tennessee | $124,509 | $2,394 | $59.86 |
| Texas | $127,541 | $2,453 | $61.32 |
| Utah | $124,856 | $2,401 | $60.03 |
| Vermont | $144,144 | $2,772 | $69.30 |
| Virginia | $135,082 | $2,598 | $64.94 |
| Washington | $152,893 | $2,940 | $73.50 |
| West Virginia | $107,672 | $2,071 | $51.77 |
| Wisconsin | $137,344 | $2,641 | $66.03 |
| Wyoming | $131,272 | $2,524 | $63.11 |
Note: From ZipRecruiter with an additional 10K for a cardiac specialty
What is the average incentive bonus for an CVICU RN Job?
Employed CVICU nurses may be eligible for incentive/retention, sign-on and shift differential bonuses. Incentive or retention bonuses of $1,500-$5,000 may be earned for meeting quality metrics, patient satisfaction scores or remaining employed for a year. Many employers offer sign-on bonuses of $5,000-$20,000 for specialty nurses. Shift differentials of $3-$8 per hour are also offered for nights, weekends, and holidays. Travel CVICU nurse bonuses may include a completion bonus of $500-$2,000 per contract and/or a crisis/rapid-response contract bonus of $500-$1,000 per week.
Employed vs. self-employed CVICU RN Job
Salaries vary between employed and self-employed CVICU RNs. Employed RNs typically work for a hospital or health system. They have job security, a predictable schedule, and are given other benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, and PTO. The average pay for an employed CVICU nurse is $40-$50 an hour.
A self-employed or travel CICU RN works independently through a staffing agency. They will earn more and have more scheduling flexibility; however, they must find their own jobs, and may/may not be provided with healthcare, liability coverage or a retirement plan. They are responsible for managing their own taxes.
Most common benefits for a CVICU RN
Being a CVICU RN comes with many professional and personal benefits including:
1.High Demand/ Job Security- CVICU nurses are in high demand because cardiac disease is the leading cause of death.
2. Competitive Pay & Bonuses- A CVICU nurse earns more than a general ICU nurse because of their specialization and may be eligible for overtime, shift differentials, and bonuses.
3. Specialized Skill Development- CVICU nurses are specialized in advanced cardiac and critical care with proficiency in invasive lines, ventilators, and Swan-Ganz catheters.
4. Opportunity Advancement- Nurses can advance their careers and pay with additional credentials like CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) or CSC (Cardiac Surgery Certification).
5.Job Satisfaction- CVICU nurses can improve or save a patient’s life during critical situations and develop relationships with patients and their families.
6.Exposure to Cutting-Edge Technology-CVICU nurses work with advanced treatments, technology, and surgical techniques.
7.Flexible Career Options– CVICU nurses can transition into several roles like travel nursing, research or education and experience variety in their daily work.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is the average salary for a CVICU nurse?
The average salary for a CVICU nurse ranges from $85,000 – $105,000 per year or about $43 – $53 per hour depending on experience, location, and certifications.
2. How does the pay for a CVICU compare to a general ICU nurse’s pay?
CVICU nurses often earn $5,000 – $10,000 more annually than a general ICU nurse due to the specialized cardiac training required.
3. Do CVICU nurses earn more if they have certifications?
Yes, earning a certification like CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) or CSC (Cardiac Surgery Certification) can increase a nurse’s pay by $1–$2 more per hour or they may be offered an annual specialty bonus of $500 – $2,000.
4. How much do travel CVICU nurses earn?
Travel CVICU nurses can earn $2,400 – $3,200 per week with crisis or rapid-response assignments paying up to $4,000+ per week depending on the demand and location.
5. What are the highest paying states for CVICU nurses?
California, Washington, Massachusetts, and New York offer the highest pay, with CVICU nurses earning $50–$65/hour due to the cost of living and union contracts.
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