What to Pay an ICU Registered Nurse in Philadelphia, PA (2026)
How to set your ICU RN pay range in Philadelphia
Three pay positions, modeled against current Philadelphia market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
ICU RN salary percentile distribution in Philadelphia, PA
Where the Philadelphia market actually sits for ICU RN base pay.
Most Philadelphia employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($112,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $100,000 and a max of $128,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Pennsylvania pay transparency compliance for ICU RN job postings
What you must post when hiring a ICU RN in Pennsylvania.
For a ICU RN role in Philadelphia, a compliant good-faith range looks like $100,000 to $128,000. No statutory requirement applies, but if you disclose voluntarily, post a good-faith range of $100,000–$128,000 rather than a single number — it screens out misaligned candidates and reduces offer-stage fallout.
Top ICU RN employers in Philadelphia — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring ICU RNs in the Philadelphia metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Medicine | Academic medical center system | $108K–$138K | Common ($10K–$18K) |
| Jefferson Health | Academic medical center system | $106K–$135K | Common ($10K–$18K) |
| Temple Health (Level I) | Academic medical center | $105K–$132K | Very common ($12K–$22K) |
| ChristianaCare (DE) | Health system | $105K–$132K | Very common ($12K–$22K) |
| Main Line Health | Health system | $104K–$130K | Common ($10K–$18K) |
ICU RN talent supply and hiring difficulty in Philadelphia
How hard is it to fill a ICU RN role in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia ICU RN market driven by Penn, Jefferson, Temple. Level I trauma centers (Temple, Penn) command additional premium.
Skill premiums ICU RN candidates command in Philadelphia, PA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| CCRN | Required baseline | Standard |
| Cardiac ICU (Penn) | +7–11% | Very high |
| Trauma ICU (Temple) | +6–10% | Very high |
| Neuro ICU | +6–10% | High |
ICU RN total compensation in Philadelphia — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for ICU RNs in Philadelphia. "Prevalence" reflects share of Philadelphia disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Philadelphia Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $112,000 (median) | 100% |
| Shift differential | +16–24% premium | ~92% |
| Sign-on bonus | $10,000–$22,000 | ~76% |
| CCRN certification pay | +8–12% on base | ~68% |
| Overtime opportunity | $10K–$22K annualized | ~92% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$145K–$175K | — |
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 Philadelphia — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the ICU RN range splits by employer type in the Philadelphia metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICU | $108,000 | $96K–$124K | Very high |
| SICU | $112,000 | $100K–$128K | Very high |
| Cardiac ICU (Penn) | $120,000 | $106K–$138K | Very high |
| Neuro ICU | $118,000 | $105K–$135K | Very high |
| Trauma ICU (Temple) | $120,000 | $105K–$138K | Very high |
ICU RN salary in Philadelphia vs. other Pennsylvania and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. Philadelphia | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $112,000 | — | Tight |
| New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $124,000 | +10.7% | Very tight |
| Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | $118,000 | +5.4% | Very tight |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $95,000 | −15.2% | Tight |
| Pennsylvania statewide | $102,000 | −8.9% | — |
| U.S. national | $108,000 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a ICU Registered Nurse in Philadelphia, PA
Related ICU RN pay benchmarks — Pennsylvania 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.