Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.
Critical Care Nurses
SOC: 29-1141 O*NET: 29-1141.03
Median Salary
$93,600
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.9%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
189.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.
What does a Critical Care Nurses do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$66,030
10th percentile
Early Career
$78,610
25th percentile
Median
$93,600
50th percentile
Experienced
$107,960
75th percentile
Top Earners
$135,320
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$66,030
25th
$78,610
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$93,600
Mean: $98,430
75th
$107,960
90th
$135,320
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $69,290 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $78,610 and $107,960
- •Salary spread is 31.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 3,282,010 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:3,391,000
Top Industries
Hospitals50.9%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals48.1%
Ambulatory Health Care Services18.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.9%
Annual Openings:189,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)3,391,000
Current
2034 (Projected)3,557,100
+4.9%
+166,100
Employment Change
+4.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Critical Care Nurses professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
326,720 jobs$140,3300.85x
Texas
261,050 jobs$90,0100.89x
Florida
218,100 jobs$82,8501.04x
New York
204,120 jobs$105,6001.00x
Pennsylvania
146,840 jobs$87,6101.15x
Illinois
139,900 jobs$86,4101.08x
Ohio
138,360 jobs$81,2501.18x
North Carolina
108,510 jobs$81,8601.04x
Michigan
104,210 jobs$85,6701.12x
Georgia
97,410 jobs$86,5600.94x
New Jersey
95,150 jobs$102,7301.05x
Massachusetts
90,190 jobs$101,9701.16x
Virginia
77,420 jobs$88,8200.89x
Missouri
74,270 jobs$79,7701.20x
Indiana
68,950 jobs$80,7401.02x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Coordination
80%
#5
Service Orientation
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Reading Comprehension
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Writing
40%
Skills Overview
Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Coordination
intermediate4.0
80%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Social Perceptiveness
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Writing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
New Accounts Clerks100%
5 shared skills
Rehabilitation Counselors100%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Animal Control Workers82%
5 shared skills
Freight Forwarders82%
5 shared skills
Child, Family, and School Social Workers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Coordination
Learn on the Job:
- →Critical Thinking
- →Reading Comprehension
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Coordination
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Service Orientation
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Critical Care Nurses
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Apache Spark
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TecheClinicalWorks EHR software
🔥 Hot TechEpic Systems
🔥 Hot TechHenry Schein Dentrix
🔥 Hot TechMEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Apache Spark
Microsoft Access
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Epic Systems
Henry Schein Dentrix
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)Planning & Development (4)Analysis & Evaluation (2)General Responsibilities (7)Management & Supervision (1)Operations & Execution (1)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Modify patient treatment plans as indicated by patients' responses and conditions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation85% perform90%
7
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision79% perform86%
9
Prepare patients for and assist with examinations or treatments.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Observe nurses and visit patients to ensure proper nursing care.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Critical Care Nurses
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Critical Care Nurses professionals typically have a SIR Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
IInvestigative
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Critical Care Nurses
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.86
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.86
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.79
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.71
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.68
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.64
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.9
Integrity
4.9
Dependability
4.8
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Concern for Others
4.7
Cooperation
4.6
Self-Control
4.5
Analytical Thinking
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Initiative
4.4
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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