PCU Nurse Job Description
A progressive care unit (PCU) nurse provides care to patients who are too ill for the general med-surg unit but not ill enough for intensive care. PCU nurses must closely monitor, provide specialize assessments, and intervene if care is needed.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than other occupations. The demand for PCU nurses is high due an aging population, the rise in chronic illness, and the expanded use of step-down and PCU care.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for PCU RN Jobs in the US
The salary for a PCU nurse is influenced by the demand for nurses, the cost of living, and regional economic conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying States for PCU RNs:
1.New Jersey
2. California
3. Connecticut
4. New York
5. Massachusetts
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for PCU RNs:
1. South Dakota
2. Iowa
3. Nebraska
4. Indiana
5. North Dakota
The state salary data varies between sources.
Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary Median
** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/progressive-care-nurse/#salary-history-line-chart
Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average salary
The salaries for a PCU nurse in the U.S. is influenced by their experience, location, and the employing institution. An entry-level salary is around $45,000 ($21.60/hour) annually. Salaries increase with experience. The average national salary of a PCU RN is $90,048 per year and the median is $86,070 ($41/hr). Traveling PCU nurses can earn between $90K-$112/ year.
Average PCU RN Salary by State (for non-traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $61,202 | $1,177 | $29.42 |
| Alaska | $61,239 | $1,178 | $29.44 |
| Arizona | $71,064 | $1,367 | $34.17 |
| Arkansas | $59,972 | $1,153 | $28.83 |
| California | $101,792 | $1,960 | $48.94 |
| Colorado | $62,670 | $1,205 | $30.13 |
| Connecticut | $89,150 | $1,714 | $42.86 |
| Delaware | $83,908 | $1,614 | $40.34 |
| Florida | $60,468 | $1,163 | $29.07 |
| Georgia | $64,108 | $1,233 | $30.82 |
| Hawaii | $65,215 | $1,254 | $31.35 |
| Idaho | $69,919 | $1,345 | $33.61 |
| Illinois | $69,433 | $1,335 | $33.38 |
| Indiana | $52,846 | $1,016 | $25.41 |
| Iowa | $49,939 | $960 | $24.01 |
| Kansas | $54,373 | $1,046 | $26.14 |
| Kentucky | $66,866 | $1,286 | $32.15 |
| Louisiana | $59,968 | $1,153 | $28.83 |
| Maine | $55,214 | $1,062 | $26.55 |
| Maryland | $79,341 | $1,526 | $38.14 |
| Massachusetts | $81,908 | $1,575 | $39.38 |
| Michigan | $65,538 | $799 | $31.51 |
| Minnesota | $64,566 | $1,242 | $31.04 |
| Mississippi | $62,152 | $1,195 | $29.88 |
| Missouri | $61,270 | $1,178 | $29.46 |
| Montana | $55,704 | $1,071 | $26.78 |
| Nebraska | $52,363 | $1,007 | $25.17 |
| Nevada | $74,581 | $1,434 | $35.86 |
| New Hampshire | $67,061 | $1,289 | $32.24 |
| New Jersey | $101,961 | $1,961 | $49.02 |
| New Mexico | $64,432 | $1,239 | $30.98 |
| New York | $86,683 | $1,667 | $41.67 |
| North Carolina | $65,533 | $1,260 | $31.51 |
| North Dakota | $52,938 | $1,018 | $25.45 |
| Ohio | $69,151 | $1,330 | $33.25 |
| Oklahoma | $65,421 | $1,258 | $31.45 |
| Oregon | $82,833 | $1,593 | $39.82 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,846 | $1,305 | $32.62 |
| Rhode Island | $73,648 | $1,416 | $35.41 |
| South Carolina | $70,197 | $1,350 | $33.75 |
| South Dakota | $48,879 | $940 | $23.50 |
| Tennessee | $53,844 | $1,035 | $25.89 |
| Texas | $65,304 | $1,256 | $31.40 |
| Utah | $61,454 | $1,182 | $29.55 |
| Vermont | $69,139 | $1,320 | $33.24 |
| Virginia | $72,799 | $1,400 | $35.00 |
| Washington | $81,963 | $1,576 | $39.41 |
| West Virginia | $70,706 | $1,360 | $33.99 |
| Wisconsin | $70,313 | $1,352 | $33.80 |
| Wyoming | $61,666 | $1,186 | $29.65 |
**Data from Zippia
Average PCU RN Job Salary by State (for traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama (Birmingham) | $112,788 | $2,169 | $54.22 |
| Alaska (Juneau) | $127,504 | $2,452 | $61.30 |
| Arizona (Phoenix) | $119,496 | $2,298 | $57.45 |
| Arkansas (Little Rock) | $115,440 | $2,220 | $55.50 |
| California (San Francisco) | $109,040 | $2,726 | $52.42 |
| Colorado (Boulder) | $96,000 | $2,400 | $46.15 |
| Connecticut (Hartford) | $93,360 | $2,334 | $44.88 |
| Delaware (Dover) | $120.276 | $2,313 | $57.83 |
| Florida (Miami) | $115,076 | $2,213 | $55.33 |
| Georgia (Atlanta) | $115,700 | $2,225 | $55.62 |
| Hawaii (Honolulu) | $118,820 | $2,285 | $57.13 |
| Idaho (Boise) | $88,080 | $2,202 | $42.34 |
| Illinois (Chicago) | $123,968 | $2,384 | $59.60 |
| Indiana (Indianapolis) | $115,024 | $2,212 | $55,30 |
| Iowa (Des Moines) | $117,416 | $2,258 | $56.45 |
| Kansas (Topeka) | $113,256 | $2,178 | $54.45 |
| Kentucky (Lexington) | $119,600 | $2,300 | $57.50 |
| Louisiana (New Orleans) | $115,544 | $2,222 | $55.55 |
| Maine (Portland) | $123,136 | $2,368 | $59.20 |
| Maryland (Annapolis) | $119,132 | $2,291 | $57.28 |
| Massachusetts (Boston) | $130,728 | $2,514 | $62.85 |
| Michigan (Detroit) | $119,132 | $2,291 | $57.27 |
| Minnesota (St Paul) | $121,680 | $2,340 | $58.50 |
| Mississippi (Jackson) | $104,884 | $2,017 | $50.43 |
| Missouri (Jefferson City) | $114,036 | $2,193 | $54.83 |
| Montana (Helena) | $114,036 | $2,193 | $54.83 |
| Nebraska (Lincoln) | $104,780 | $2,015 | $50.37 |
| Nevada (Carson City) | $117,832 | $2,266 | $56.65 |
| New Hampshire (Concord) | $121,108 | $2,329 | $58.22 |
| New Jersey (Trenton) | $120,640 | $2,320 | $58.00 |
| New Mexico (Santa Fe) | $118,144 | $2,272 | $56.80 |
| New York (Manhattan) | $132,808 | $2,554 | $63.85 |
| North Carolina (Charlotte) | $117,520 | $2,260 | $56.50 |
| North Dakota (Bismark) | $119,912 | $2,306 | $57.65 |
| Ohio (Columbus) | $116,220 | $2,235 | $55.88 |
| Oklahoma (OK City) | $111,800 | $2,150 | $53.75 |
| Oregon (Portland) | $127,608 | $2,454 | $61.35 |
| Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) | $121,420 | $2,335 | $58.38 |
| Rhode Island (Providence) | $121,576 | $2,338 | $58.45 |
| South Carolina (Charleston) | $112,632 | $2,166 | $54.15 |
| South Dakota (Pierre) | $119,912 | $2,306 | $57.65 |
| Tennessee (Nashville) | $116,220 | $2,235 | $55.88 |
| Texas (Austin) | $119,288 | $2,294 | $57.35 |
| Utah (Salt Lake City) | $116,428 | $2,239 | $55.98 |
| Vermont (Montpelier) | $121,628 | $2,339 | $58.48 |
| Virginia (Richmond) | $119,080 | $2,290 | $57.25 |
| Washington (Spokane) | $121,680 | $2,340 | $58.50 |
| West Virginia (Charleston) | $116,948 | $2,249 | $56.22 |
| Wisconsin (Green Bay) | $117,052 | $2,251 | $56.28 |
| Wyoming (Cheyenne) | $114,036 | $2,193 | $54.83 |
Note: From ZipRecruiter “PCU Travel Nurse” according to city data.
What is the average incentive bonus for a PCU RN Job?
PCU nurses can earn retention bonuses, sign-on bonuses, and shift bonuses. Sign-on bonuses can be up to $12,000 depending on demand in the area, facility and the level of experience required. They may also be eligible for retention bonuses from $10,000-$20,000 paid over 1-2 years. For extra shifts, PCU nurses may receive $300-$1,000 per block of picked up shifts (weekend or short-staff) and shift differentials of $2.50-$4.00 may be given for evening or nights.
Employed vs. self-employed PCU RN Job
Salaries vary between employed and self-employed PCU RNs. Employed RNs have a fixed, stable salary, stable hours, health insurance, a retirement plan, and paid time off. They usually work for a hospital system and have more job security but less flexibility in scheduling.
A self-employed or travel PCU RN often has higher earning potential and flexibility; however, they must find their own jobs, and may/may not be provided with healthcare, benefits or a retirement plan. They have flexibility in choosing their assignments, but job security is dependent upon contract availability.
Most common benefits for an PCU RN
Being a PCU RN comes with many professional and personal benefits including:
1. Job Security- PCU nurses will always be in demand due to the growing need for intermediate-level care due to an aging population and a rise in chronic conditions.
2. Competitive Salary & Bonuses- PCU nurses earn higher salaries compared to other RNs with an opportunity for bonuses, shift differentials, and traveling opportunities.
3. Diverse Skill Development- PCU RNs have strong skills in telemetry, cardiology, respiratory, critical thinking, and complex patient management.
4. Schedule Flexibility- Many PCU jobs offer 3-day weekends or flexible shift hours for an improved work-life balance. Travel roles offer even more flexibility.
5.Emotional Growth- PCU nurses develop empathy and adaptability due to their work environment.
6.Team Involvement-PCU nurses work with a close and supportive team which may include physicians, therapists, and other nurses.
7.Patient Relationships- PCU nurses develop meaningful relationships with their patients and are important in their recovery progress.
8.Financial Benefits- Besides compensation, PCU nurses are provided with health insurance, retirement plans, bonuses, shift differentials, and PTO.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is the average salary for a PCU nurse?
Salaries for PCU nurses vary based on experience, location, and the type of employer. The national average salary for a PCU nurse ranges from $87,000 to $92,000 per year, with a median around $86,070 annually.
2. How much do entry-level PCU nurses make?
Entry-level PCU salaries start around $45,000 to $65,000 per year, depending on location, hospital, and shift differentials.
3. Do PCU travel nurses earn more than staff PCU nurses?
Travel PCU nurses often earn higher wages due to the temporary and flexible nature of their assignments. Travel PCU nurses can earn between $91,000 to $120,000 per year which is significantly higher than a non-travel position due to housing stipends, tax advantages, and higher hourly rates.
4. What types of bonuses can PCU nurses receive?
PCU nurses can receive sign-on bonuses ($10,000–$20,000), retention bonuses, shift differentials ($2.50–$4.00/hour), and pickup shift bonuses ($800- $1,000 per block).
5. Can PCU nurses increase their salary with certifications?
Yes, obtaining a Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN) certification or taking on charge nurse or preceptor responsibilities can lead to raises, leadership positions, and higher bonuses.