4. CVICU RN with CCRN — $105K – $135K
Cardiovascular ICU nurses care for patients recovering from open-heart surgery, transplants, and complex structural interventions. It is one of the highest-acuity ICU environments, and the CCRN from AACN Certification Corporation is the credential that separates staff RNs from the top of the pay band.
Most CVICU roles require one to two years of general ICU experience before the transfer, plus ACLS. The CCRN requires 1,750 hours of direct care in the previous two years and passing a comprehensive exam covering cardiac, pulmonary, renal, and multi-system critical care.
AACN salary data and hospital job board postings show CVICU RNs with CCRN earning $105K to $135K in major academic centers and heart hospitals, with night and weekend differentials layered on. California, Massachusetts, and New York markets sit at the top of the range consistently.
