What to Pay an ICU Registered Nurse in Boston, MA (2026)
How to set your ICU RN pay range in Boston
Three pay positions, modeled against current Boston market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
ICU RN salary percentile distribution in Boston, MA
Where the Boston market actually sits for ICU RN base pay.
Most Boston employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($138,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $120,000 and a max of $160,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Massachusetts pay transparency compliance for ICU RN job postings
What you must post when hiring a ICU RN in Massachusetts.
| Requirement | Applies When | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Pay range in job posting | 25+ employees; role in MA | Civil fine up to $500 first violation; up to $1,000 subsequent |
| Provide pay range to applicants on request | All covered employers | Same schedule |
For a ICU RN role in Boston, a compliant good-faith range looks like $120,000 to $160,000. A compliant range for this role in Boston is $120,000–$160,000.
Top ICU RN employers in Boston — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring ICU RNs in the Boston metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass General Brigham | Academic medical center | $132K–$168K | Very common ($12K–$22K) |
| Beth Israel Lahey Health | Health system | $128K–$162K | Very common ($15K–$25K) |
| Tufts Medicine | Academic medical center | $125K–$158K | Common ($10K–$18K) |
| Boston Children's (PICU) | Pediatric specialty | $130K–$165K | Common ($10K–$18K) |
| Boston Medical Center (Level I) | Safety-net hospital | $122K–$155K | Common ($8K–$15K) |
ICU RN talent supply and hiring difficulty in Boston
How hard is it to fill a ICU RN role in Boston.
Boston ICU RN market driven by MGH, BWH, and BIDMC. CCRN required baseline. Level I trauma centers command additional premium.
Skill premiums ICU RN candidates command in Boston, MA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| CCRN | Required baseline | Standard for ICU |
| Cardiac / transplant ICU (BWH) | +7–11% | Very high |
| Neuro ICU (MGH) | +6–10% | Very high |
| PICU (Boston Children's) | +6–10% | Very high |
ICU RN total compensation in Boston — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for ICU RNs in Boston. "Prevalence" reflects share of Boston disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Boston Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $138,000 (median) | 100% |
| Shift differential | +18–26% premium | ~96% |
| Sign-on bonus | $12,000–$25,000 | ~82% |
| CCRN certification pay | +8–14% on base | ~78% |
| Overtime opportunity | $12K–$26K annualized | ~94% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$170K–$205K | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
ICU RN pay by setting in Boston — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the ICU RN range splits by employer type in the Boston metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICU | $132,000 | $118K–$152K | Very high |
| SICU | $138,000 | $122K–$158K | Very high |
| Cardiac ICU (BWH) | $148,000 | $132K–$170K | Very high |
| Neuro ICU (MGH) | $145,000 | $128K–$168K | Very high |
| PICU (Boston Children's) | $142,000 | $125K–$165K | Very high |
ICU RN salary in Boston vs. other Massachusetts and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. Boston | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston–Cambridge–Nashua, MA-NH | $138,000 | — | Very tight |
| New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $124,000 | −10.1% | Very tight |
| Providence–Warwick, RI-MA | $108,000 | −21.7% | Above national avg |
| Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | $120,000 | −13.0% | Very tight |
| Massachusetts statewide | $128,000 | −7.2% | — |
| U.S. national | $108,000 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a ICU Registered Nurse in Boston, MA
Related ICU RN pay benchmarks — Massachusetts metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.