NICU nurse pay
$109,325median posted offer#159 of 379 specialties
Read from 65 live NICU postings that state pay — 14% above the all-nursing median of $95,680. Updated October 26, 2026.
- 10th percentile
- $86k
- 25th percentile
- $96k
- 75th percentile
- $135k
- 90th percentile
- $149k
Where does your pay sit in NICU?
Checked against 65 live postings that state pay. Your number stays in your browser.
- 10th percentile
- $86k
- 25th percentile
- $96k
- 75th percentile
- $135k
- 90th percentile
- $149k
Enter your pay to see your percentile.
Posted offers on live listings — not take-home pay or a promise of what any one nurse will earn.
Where NICU pays the most
| # | State | Median | Top 10% from | Postings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $148,866 | $149k | 6 |
| 2 | California | $123,885 | $175k | 10 |
| 3 | Maryland | $105,134 | $148k | 5 |
| 4 | North Carolina | $99,320 | $112k | 6 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $93,891 | $111k | 7 |
What the work is like and the way in: NICU / Neonatal guide
What to do with this
- See the rolesSee NICU jobsEvery posting behind these numbers is a live job you can open and apply to.
- Offer in hand?Review an offerTurn it into a full-year number, see what it's worth where you'd live, and compare offers side by side.
- 3-minute PULSEFind the work that brings out your bestPay is one axis. Your pace, decision style, connection, scope, and energy rhythm shape the rest.
- CommunityAsk nurses what they really take homeDifferentials, ratios, and the offer nobody posts. Bring your number and compare notes.
Want the craft behind the numbers — differentials, negotiating, travel packages? Read the pay & salary guides.
Questions nurses ask
- How much do NICU nurses make?
- Across 65 live NICU postings that state pay, the median offer is $109,325 a year. The middle half runs $95,670–$135,344, and the top 10% start at $148,940.
- Does NICU pay more than nursing overall?
- NICU ranks #159 of 379 specialties on posted pay. Its median is 14% above the all-nursing median of $95,680.
- Which states pay NICU nurses the most?
- By posted median right now: #1 Florida ($148,866), #2 California ($123,885), #3 Maryland ($105,134). Rankings move as postings change — this page updates continuously.