When we think of an operating room, we think of surgeons, but OR nurses make for a critical part of it as well. Given that, in general, professionally what you bring to the table (an OR table in this case), reflects what you make, the annual OR nurse salary range $101,575 – $181,952[1] says something about them too. This is a rather positive one because compared with the average U.S. annual salary of $59,384 (in Q4 of 2023)[2], OR nurses make more than double. Add the average overtime of $9,863 per year[1] and the average OR nurse salary goes beyond $140,000.
| Average new grad operating room nurse salary | $30.79 per hour[3] |
|---|---|
| Median annual operating room nurse salary | $36.93 per hour[3] |
| Operating room nurse salary potential | 12 % over 5 years (2024 – 2029)[4] |
While the above provides a decent overview of operating room nurse salaries in the US, it’s not the full picture. One reason it gets complex is that there’s no one true source of information on OR nurse salaries – not even on the US BLS. So, one has to compile data from various sources and then connect the dots of the pattern to come to reliable values. The values are further impacted by factors like location, work experience, and skill – plus one has to consider their own lifestyle preferences to evaluate their satisfaction with the OR nurse salary. And, these are what we show in detail in this guide on OR nurse salaries in the US – state by state. Additionally, we’ll delve into the salary trajectory of OR nurses, salary component breakdown, and how other nurse salaries compare to it.
Yet, it’s logical to begin by examining the most essential statistics regarding Operating Room Nurse salaries: their potential earnings in high-demand locations across the US.
Operating Room Nurse Salary in In-demand US States
Operating Room Nurses in different US states earn varying salaries – and this fact will resurface in our guide later. Among the most-demanded locations, California offers the highest pay, ranging from $120,291 to $209,007 yearly. Texas, comparatively, starts lower at $94,761, while New York City boasts the highest salaries, reaching up to $235,395 annually.
| Lower End of Annual Salary |
Average OR Nurse Annual Salary | Upper End of Annual Salary |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| OR Nurse Salary in California | $120,291 per year | $158,561 per year | $209,007 per year |
| OR Nurse Salary in Texas | $94,761 per year | $123,580 per year | $161,164 per year |
| OR Nurse Salary in Florida | $95,930 per year | $124,082 per year | $160,495 per year |
| OR Nurse salary in NYC | $122,724 per year | $169,966 per year | $235,395 per year |
| OR Nurse Salary in Georgia | $101,977 per year | $127,775 per year | $160,098 per year |
| OR Nurse Salary Chicago | $120,796 per year | $154,362 per year | $197,257 per year |
| OR Nurse Salary in New Jersey | $125,442 per year | $159,088 per year | $201,758 per year |
| OR Nurse Salary in Illinois | $109,398 per year | $143,974 per year | $189,477 per year |
| OR Nurse Salary in Ohio | $98,614 per year | $131,688 per year | $175,855 per year |
| OR Nurse Salary in NC | $101,990 per year | $129,530 per year | $164,506 per year |
*source: indeed[1]
Look for the best-paying Operating Room nurse jobs across the US, by joining our nursing professional community now!
Now, before we see more salary breakdowns, let’s briefly understand the basics of operating room nurses – their job responsibilities, entry requirements, and anticipated salary levels.
Operating Room Nurse Job in US
As the name suggests, an Operating Room (OR) nurse deals with cases related surgical procedures inside an operating room. They basically provide care to patients before, during, and after surgery in collaboration with the operating surgeons. As an OR nurse you may act as a circulating nurse, managing intraoperative tasks like charting and supplying instruments, or as a scrub nurse, assisting surgeons in sterile conditions. Their responsibilities also include assessing patient needs, implementing care plans, and educating patients and families.
To become an OR nurse, the typical qualification is to have a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, an RN license, CPR certification, and preferably two years of healthcare experience. Additionally, to excel in your OR nurses duties, you must possess excellent communication, critical thinking skills, and maintain professionalism in stressful situations. There are also specializations within OR nursing: pre-operation, intra-operation, and post-anesthesia care.
Starting salaries for OR nurse graduates vary but generally offer competitive compensation. A survey by PayScale[3] shows that on average a new grad operating room nurse can make around $30.79 per hour. Of course, it increases as one gets more experienced, upskills, and holds higher roles – we’ll see that later in this guide.
Suggested Reading: Career as a Nurse in US in 2024
How much do Operating Room Nurses Make in a Year, Month, and Hour in the US in 2024
Given the limitation of true data sources, finding an exact figure for an Operating Room Nurse’s salary is a difficult task that is complicated by various influencing factors. However, insights gathered from Indeed offer a decent estimate: At the lower end, OR nurses can earn around $48.87 per hour, which comes to $101,500 annually. On the higher end, this rate goes up to $86.48 per hour, resulting in an annual income of $183,364. While on average, Operating Room Nurses earn approximately $64.34 per hour – an annual salary of $136,423.
| OR Nurse Salary | Per Hour | Per Week | Per Month | Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower end salary | $47.90 | $1,858 | $7,192 | $101,575 |
| Average base salary | $64.12 | $2,487 | $9,625 | $135,947 |
| Higher end salary | $85.81 | $3,329 | $12,883 | $181,952 |
*source: indeed[1]
Suggested Reading: 2024 Salary Guide for US Nurse Practitioners
Median Operating Room Nurse Salary
While averages are good indicators, looking at the median salary of OR nurses is complimentary to it to understand how these salaries are distributed across the whole workforce.
| Percentile | Operating Room Nurse Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10% | $69,447 per year |
| 25% | $77,463 per year |
| 50% | $86,267 per year |
| 75% | $95,341 per year |
| 90% | $103,602 per year |
*source: Salary[5]
From the 10th percentile at $69,447 per year to the 90th percentile at $103,602 per year, salaries show progressive increments. And, the median salary i.e. the salary that most of the operating nurses make across the US – is $86,267 annually.
Median Operating Room Nurse Compensation Breakdown
| Core Compensation of OR Nurse | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $86,202 | 72.2% |
| Bonus | $65 | 0.1% |
| Value of Benefits for OR Nurse | ||
| Median | % of Total | |
| Social Security | $6,599 | 5.5% |
| 401K/403B | $4,227 | 3.5% |
| Disability | $1,380 | 1.2% |
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 5.3% |
| Pension | $3,623 | 3.0% |
| Time Off | $10,949 | 9.2% |
| Total Compensation | $119,417 | 100% |
*source: Salary[5]
Common Benefits for Operating Room Nurses
The majority of Operating Room Registered Nurses (RNs) receive common health benefits, with 77% having medical coverage, 72% having dental coverage, and 64% having vision coverage[3].
| 401(k) | Flexible schedule | Paid housing |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k) matching | Flexible spending account | Paid sick time |
| AD&D insurance | Free Parking | Paid time off |
| Adoption assistance | Health insurance | Pet insurance |
| Continuing education credits | Housing stipend | Referral program |
| Dental Insurance | License reimbursement | Relocation assistance |
| Disability insurance | Life insurance | Retirement plan |
| Employee assistance program | Loan forgiveness | Travel reimbursement |
| Employee discount | Loan repayment program | Tuition reimbursement |
| Employee stock purchase plan | Opportunities for advancement | Vision insurance |
*source: indeed[1]
Operating Room Nurse Salary by State
Now, examining the salary stat for OR nurse across the 50 states of the US, we observe a significant fluctuation – at one end Hawaii offers the highest average annual salary of $114,707 while the opposite end has Vermont offering the lowest at $43,344 annually. Additionally, when considering hourly pay, California tops the list with an average hourly wage of $48.60, while Tennessee has the lowest at $22.48 per hour.
| State | Avg. OR Nurse Salary per Year |
Avg. OR Nurse Salary per Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $58,221 | $27.99 |
| Alaska | $65,878 | $31.67 |
| Arizona | $70,928 | $34.10 |
| Arkansas | $59,953 | $28.82 |
| California | $101,078 | $48.60 |
| Colorado | $62,648 | $30.12 |
| Connecticut | $60,491 | $29.08 |
| Delaware | $73,563 | $35.37 |
| District of Columbia | $74,223 | $35.68 |
| Florida | $55,167 | $26.52 |
| Georgia | $65,990 | $31.73 |
| Hawaii | $114,707 | $55.15 |
| Idaho | $73,698 | $35.43 |
| Illinois | $73,174 | $35.18 |
| Indiana | $70,479 | $33.88 |
| Iowa | $67,608 | $32.50 |
| Kansas | $66,399 | $31.92 |
| Kentucky | $65,929 | $31.70 |
| Louisiana | $66,746 | $32.09 |
| Maine | $58,244 | $28.00 |
| Maryland | $64,082 | $30.81 |
| Massachusetts | $72,846 | $35.02 |
| Michigan | $78,113 | $37.55 |
| Minnesota | $72,735 | $34.97 |
| Mississippi | $48,473 | $23.30 |
| Missouri | $62,867 | $30.22 |
| Montana | $66,768 | $32.10 |
| Nebraska | $74,498 | $35.82 |
| Nevada | $77,182 | $37.11 |
| New Hampshire | $50,547 | $24.30 |
| New Jersey | $73,698 | $35.43 |
| New Mexico | $80,111 | $38.51 |
| New York | $80,020 | $38.47 |
| North Carolina | $51,217 | $24.62 |
| North Dakota | $58,264 | $28.01 |
| Ohio | $68,054 | $32.72 |
| Oklahoma | $67,863 | $32.63 |
| Oregon | $77,197 | $37.11 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,292 | $35.24 |
| Rhode Island | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| South Carolina | $64,218 | $30.87 |
| South Dakota | $65,931 | $31.70 |
| Tennessee | $46,760 | $22.48 |
| Texas | $61,959 | $29.79 |
| Utah | $62,091 | $29.85 |
| Vermont | $43,344 | $20.84 |
| Virginia | $71,567 | $34.41 |
| Washington | $70,377 | $33.84 |
| West Virginia | $60,018 | $28.85 |
| Wisconsin | $78,239 | $37.61 |
| Wyoming | $73,913 | $35.54 |
*source: Zippia[6]
To save you from the overwhelming task of reviewing the extensive list of state-wise salaries for Operating Room Nurses, in the following sections, we’ve compiled the top 10 highest-paying and lowest-paying states below. However, it’s worth clarifying that the highest-paying states may not always be the most economical choice because those locations typically have high living costs. So, do consider factors like living costs, job opportunities, and lifestyle preferences when making your decision to move to a state as an OR nurse.
Suggested Watch: Top 10 Highest-paid Nursing Jobs
Top 10 highest-paying US states for OR Nurses
Among the 10 top-paying states for OR nurses in the US, in California, they earn the highest average hourly salary of $48.60. New Mexico and New York follow closely, with average yearly salaries above $80,000. The lowest average salary among these states is in Wyoming, at $73,913 annually or $35.54 per hour.
| State | Avg. OR Nurse Salary per Year |
Avg. OR Nurse Salary per Hour |
|---|---|---|
| California | $101,078 per year | $48.60 per hour |
| New Mexico | $80,111 per year | $38.51 per hour |
| New York | $80,020 per year | $38.47 per hour |
| Wisconsin | $78,239 per year | $37.61 per hour |
| Michigan | $78,113 per year | $37.55 per hour |
| Oregon | $77,197 per year | $37.11 per hour |
| Nevada | $77,182 per year | $37.11 per hour |
| Nebraska | $74,498 per year | $35.82 per hour |
| District of Columbia | $74,223 per year | $35.68 per hour |
| Wyoming | $73,913 per year | $35.54 per hour |
*source: Zippia[6]
10 Lowest-paying US States for OR Nurses
The following states make up the 10 lowest-paying states for operating room nurse’s salaries. Vermont has the lowest average salary at $43,344 per year, followed by Tennessee and Mississippi where it is below $50,000. The average hourly wages of OR nurses range from $20.84 (in Vermont) to $28.82 (in Arkansas) in these states.
| State | Avg. OR Nurse Salary per Year |
Avg. OR Nurse Salary per Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $43,344 per year | $20.84 per hour |
| Tennessee | $46,760 per year | $22.48 per hour |
| Mississippi | $48,473 per year | $23.30 per hour |
| New Hampshire | $50,547 per year | $24.30 per hour |
| North Carolina | $51,217 per year | $24.62 per hour |
| Florida | $55,167 per year | $26.52 per hour |
| Alabama | $58,221 per year | $27.99 per hour |
| Maine | $58,244 per year | $28.00 per hour |
| North Dakota | $58,264 per year | $28.01 per hour |
| Arkansas | $59,953 per year | $28.82 per hour |
*source: Zippia[6]
Highest Paying US Cities for OR Nurses
Zooming in further onto the locations, at city-level, too, there are varying salaries for Operating Room Nurses. A Zippia study[6] reveals that Urban Honolulu, HI, offers the highest at $114,826 per year, followed by San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, and Medford, Oregon – where it’s above $80,000 annually.
| City | Avg. OR Nurse Salary per Year |
Avg. OR Nurse Salary per Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $114,826 per year | $55.20 per hour |
| San Francisco, CA | $102,260 per year | $49.16 per hour |
| New York, NY | $80,998 per year | $38.94 per hour |
| Medford, OR | $80,074 per year | $38.50 per hour |
| Milwaukee, WI | $78,268 per year | $37.63 per hour |
| Las Vegas, NV | $77,486 per year | $37.25 per hour |
| Washington, DC | $74,282 per year | $35.71 per hour |
| Philadelphia, PA | $73,519 per year | $35.35 per hour |
| Jersey City, NJ | $73,421 per year | $35.30 per hour |
| Aurora, IL | $73,220 per year | $35.20 per hour |
| Boston, MA | $72,516 per year | $34.86 per hour |
*source: Zippia[6]
Popular Employers for Operating Room Nurses and Their Offered Salaries
As the work setting of operating room nurses is typically high-stress, it’s not only the salaries that attract them to an employer but also those who offer positive work-life balance. Again, it’s tricky to evaluate employers on this subjective aspect, but there are some of them who stand out by looking at employee reviews.
| OR Nurse Employer | Average Hourly OR Nurse Salary Offered |
Employer Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Trusted Health | $76.56 per hour | 4.1 |
| Nomad Health | $75.80 per hour | 3.3 |
| TRS Healthcare | $64.55 per hour | 3.3 |
| Stability Healthcare | $65.29 per hour | 4.4 |
| Travel Nurses Inc. | $65.24 per hour | 4.9 |
| Cariant Health Partners | $63.26 per hour | 4.3 |
| RNnetwork | $58.03 per hour | 4.2 |
| Host Healthcare | $33.78 per hour | 4.7 |
*source: indeed[1]
Suggested Watch: Navigating Work and Life as a Nurse
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Operating Room Nurse Salary by Career Progression
As your career progresses in the field of Operating Room Nursing, so do your responsibilities and salaries. Starting as a new graduate with around $69,000 annually, you can advance to roles such as Chief Registered Nurse, earning up to $226,000 per year, reflecting increased experience and expertise.
| OR Nurse Career Stage | Typical OR Nurse Annual Salary Range |
OR Nurse Annual Pay Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Manager of Nursing | $69K – $118K per year | $90,040 per year |
| New Grad Registered Nurse | $82K – $127K per year | $102,124 per year |
| Registered Nurse | $87K – $135K per year | $107,957 per year |
| Assistant Director of Nursing | $88K – $137K per year | $113,532 per year |
| Adjunct Registered Nurse | $92K – $140K per year | $113,487 per year |
| Senior Registered Nurse | $93K – $139K per year | $113,611 per year |
| Registered Nurse Manager | $96K – $145Kper year | $118,016 per year |
| Registered Nurse V | $98K – $147K per year | $119,867 per year |
| Director of Nursing | $104K – $160K per year | $128,669 per year |
| Senior Director of Nursing | $118K – $191K per year | $150,182 per year |
| Chief Registered Nurse | $129K – $226K per year | $170,017 per year |
*source: glassdoor[7]
Operating Room Nurse Salary v/s Other Popular Nursing Jobs
When comparing the salaries of Operating Room Nurses to other popular nursing positions, it’s evident that the CRNA (at the top of the list) is significantly higher than it – 70%. However, it still is quite decent compared to other popular nurse jobs where it’s almost double their salary.
| # | Popular Nursing Jobs | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | $231,528 per year | |
| Operating Room Nurse | $135,947 per year | |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse | $116,530 per year | |
| Respiratory Therapist | $105,529 per year | |
| Licensed Vocational Nurse | $75,634 per year | |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $59,443 per year |
*source: indeed[1]
Suggested Reading: Navigating Career Paths in Healthcare: How to Choose Your Specialization
Operating Room Nurse vs Surgical Nurse
One may confuse between operating nurse and surgical nurse as both of them seemingly work in the same settings. However, they are different. Operating Room Nurses primarily assist in surgical procedures, managing patient care during operations. Surgical Nurses, on the other hand, focus on pre- and post-operative care, assisting surgeons in the operating room.
When it comes to salary comparison, OR nurses generally earn more, with an average salary approximately 21% higher than Surgical nurses.
| OR Nurse Salary[1] | Surgical Nurse Salary[8] | |
|---|---|---|
| Lower End Salary | $101,575 per year | $87,078 per year |
| Average Salary | $135,947 per year | $111,771 per year |
| Upper-End Salary | $181,952 per year | $143,467 per year |
Factors Influencing OR Nurse Salaries
Location-based influence on the pay of Operating Room Nurse
Dissecting all the stats above relating the location with salaries of OR nurses in the US, one can point to the clear trend that coastal states like California, Hawaii, and Alaska generally offer top-average salaries. Which makes sense due to their higher costs of living and demand for healthcare services. On the contrary, states in the Midwest and Southeast, such as Tennessee, Mississippi, and Vermont, tend to offer lower salaries, hinting at a lower demand or a lower cost of living in those regions. While the states in the middle of the US, like Colorado and Texas, fall in between for OR nurses – salary-wise.
Experience-based influence on the pay of Operating Room Nurse
As one would expect, the OR nurse salaries increase with the increase in experience level. Entry-level nurses earn $54,100 annually, mid-level nurses make around $68,100, and senior-level nurses with over 20 years of experience can earn over $93,400 per year.
| OR Nurse Experience Level | Avg. OR Nurse Salary | Avg. OR Nurse Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level operating room nurse | $54,100 per year | $26.02 per hour |
| Mid-level operating room nurse | $68,100 per year | $32.73 per hour |
| Senior-level operating room nurse | $93,400 per year | $44.89 per hour |
*source: Zippia[6]
Skill-based influence on the pay of Operating Room Nurse
Skillsets significantly impact OR nurse salaries. Upskilling in gastroenterology can boost pay by 19%, while expertise in areas like neuroscience, brain surgery, and orthopedics leads to salary increases ranging from 3% to 10%.
| OR Nurse Skill | Effect on OR Nurse Salary |
|---|---|
| Gastrointestinal Lab | ▲19% |
| Gastroenterology | ▲10% |
| Neuroscience | ▲7% |
| Brain Surgery | ▲5% |
| Orthopedics | ▲3% |
| Open Heart | ▲3% |
| Pediatrics | ▲3% |
| Robotics | ▲2% |
| Team Leadership | ▲2% |
| Emergency/Trauma | ▲1% |
*source: Payscale[3]
All things done to the best of your ability can be further topped by remaining up-to-date with OR nurse industry news, events, and job openings. In fact, some would argue that’s vital because it gives you an edge in negotiating your salary as an OR nurse. So, experts highly recommend joining a community of peers in the nursing profession simplifies this process, providing valuable networking and learning opportunities.
Suggested Tool: Nurse Resume Builder
Operating Room Nurse Salary Projections
There is a promising outlook for Operating Room Nurse salaries in the US driven by factors such as increasing demand for OR nurses[9] and advancing career opportunities. As we saw in previous salary tables of OR nurses, experience, and certifications accumulate to garner competitive salaries in career progression. Further operating room nurses are ranked sixth in demand according to AORN[10], the SalaryExpert[4] projects a 12% salary increase over the next five years (2024 – 2029). However, one must keep in mind that these projections are subject to economic fluctuations and healthcare policies. So, overall the trajectory appears favorable for OR nurse salaries in the coming years in the US.
Suggested Read: Nurse Practitioner’s Salary Trajectory
Endnote
Looking at everything, one can see that pursuing a career as an OR Nurse can be financially rewarding. With an average annual salary of $135,947 and potential fluctuations of up to $80,000[1], there’s significant room for starting off well and growing income over time – which is influenced by variables such as location, experience, and education. Adding to this optimistic figure is the fact of a positive trajectory of 12% salary uptick by 2029[4]. All in making Operating Room Nursing an appealing choice for those seeking both fulfillment and security in their careers.
To help yourself climb up the journey as an operating room nurse, connect with a growing community of like-minded aspirants, professionals, and influencers!
FAQ
What state pays operating room nurses the most?
States that pay the most to operating nurses are California, Hawai and New Mexico – in the upward of $80,000 per year.
Why do operating room nurses get paid so much?
Operating room nurses tend to receive high pay due to their specialized skills and critical role in surgical procedures.
How much do operating Theatre nurses make in the US?
Different locations, skillsets, and years of experience fetch differing salaries as an operating theatre nurse in the US. However, on average it’s seen that they make between $101,575 and $181,952 annually.
How much does an operating room nurse make in Florida?
An operating room nurse in Florida can make in the range of $95,968 – $159,560 on average annually.
How much does an operating room nurse make in New York?
In New York, an OR nurse makes $168,369 on average annually. Their lower end can be $122,040 and the upper one, $232,284.
Does OR nurse get paid more than Med/Surg Nurse?
It will differ basis location, education, and career stage, but all things equal, OR nurses tend to enjoy higher salaries than med/surg nurses in the US.
How do I know if I’m being paid fairly as an operating room nurse?
As OR nurse salaries differ widely for various reasons across locations, and there’s no one true source of updated info, one good way to know if you’re being paid fairly or not is to connect with those in the same profession in your locality.
References
[1] https://www.indeed.com/career/registered-nurse-%20-operating-room/salaries
[2] https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/business/hr-payroll/average-salary-us/
[3] https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Registered\_Nurse\_(RN)%2C\_Operating\_Room/Hourly_Rate
[4] https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/operating-room-registered-nurse-or-rn/united-states/washington
[5] https://www.salary.com/tools/salary-calculator/staff-nurse-rn-operating-room?type=bonus
[6] https://www.zippia.com/operating-room-nurse-jobs/salary
[7] https://www.glassdoor.com/Career/how-to-become-operating-room-nurse_KO14,34.htm
[8] https://www.indeed.com/career/registered-nurse-%20-medical-%2F-surgical/salaries
[9] https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Fact-Sheets/Nursing-Shortage
[10] https://www.aorn.org/career-center/career-resources/career-advice/surgical-nurse-career
