How Much Do Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence cardiac catheterization laboratory nurse salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses earn about the same as any other registered nurse (RN), which is more than the average U.S. salary, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This guide will walk any prospective cardiac catheterization laboratory nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Nurse Salaries
Cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
California
$137,690
San Francisco, CA
$174,370
Outpatient Care Centers
$102,640
How Much Do Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Nurses Make?
In the U.S., cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses make an average of $45.42 per hour, according to the BLS. This rate equals approximately $94,480 per year, which puts cardiac catheterization laboratory nurse salaries well above average.
Cardiac catheterization laboratory nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Cardiac catheterization laboratory nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Cardiac catheterization laboratory nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses work 12-hour shifts or call hours, and during “normal working hours,” they earn their base salary. Any hours worked in the evening, night, or weekend come with an hourly pay increase. Hospitals may also offer extra shifts with bonuses attached.
In the lower salary range, cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses can make an average of $63,720, while the higher end averages closer to $132,680, according to the BLS.
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Nurse Salaries
All cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses must first become registered nurses (RNs) by earning a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which takes four years. Some nursing programs can be completed in as little as 12 months through an accelerated option, which requires previously earned prerequisites. With either education path, nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), after which they become RNs.
When nurses graduate with an ADN and pass the NCLEX, they receive an RN designation, similar to a nurse who achieves a BSN. However, cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses with a BSN will receive higher pay than those with an ADN, and some employers require their nurses to have a BSN degree.
| Degree | Annual Average Salary |
| ADN | $75,000 |
| BSN | $92,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Nurse Salaries
Cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses can earn specialty certifications through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which offers a Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC™) credential. Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Nurse Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Nurse Salaries by State
In general, the coasts pay cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses the highest, while the Southeastern states pay the lowest.
| California | $137,690 |
| Hawaii | $119,710 |
| Oregon | $113,440 |
| Washington | $111,030 |
| Alaska | $109,210 |
| Massachusetts | $108,850 |
| New York | $106,620 |
| Washington, D.C. | $102,686 |
| New Jersey | $101,960 |
| Connecticut | $101,840 |
| Nevada | $97,700 |
| Rhode Island | $95,070 |
| Minnesota | $94,830 |
| Delaware | $94,670 |
| New Mexico | $92,140 |
| Maryland | $92,090 |
| Colorado | $91,730 |
| Arizona | $91,430 |
| Texas | $90,210 |
| Georgia | $90,000 |
| New Hampshire | $89,410 |
| Vermont | $88,380 |
| Virginia | $88,350 |
| Illinois | $87,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,530 |
| Wisconsin | $87,220 |
| Michigan | $86,210 |
| Florida | $84,760 |
| Ohio | $84,430 |
| Maine | $84,340 |
| Wyoming | $83,990 |
| Utah | $83,100 |
| Idaho | $83,090 |
| Montana | $82,950 |
| Indiana | $82,700 |
| North Carolina | $82,530 |
| Oklahoma | $82,110 |
| Kentucky | $81,770 |
| South Carolina | $81,390 |
| Louisiana | $80,760 |
| Nebraska | $79,780 |
| North Dakota | $79,190 |
| Tennessee | $78,240 |
| Missouri | $77,590 |
| Kansas | $76,240 |
| West Virginia | $75,990 |
| Mississippi | $75,510 |
| Iowa | $74,610 |
| Arkansas | $72,900 |
| Alabama | $71,370 |
| South Dakota | $69,030 |
Source: BLS
Top-Paying Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Nurse Salaries by City
The cost of living doesn’t just differ by state but by population density. More people populate cities than rural areas, and their cost of living and salaries are typically higher. For example, if cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses work for a large teaching hospital in a city of millions, they will probably earn more than those who work with a small outpatient surgery center in a rural area.
| Metropolitan area | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $83.83 | $174,370 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $82.51 | $171,620 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $82.11 | $170,780 |
| Napa, CA | $79.89 | $166,180 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | $74.28 | $154,510 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $73.52 | $152,930 |
| Modesto, CA | $69.80 | $145,190 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $67.73 | $140,880 |
| San Luis Obispo--Paso Robles--Arroyo Grande, CA | $67.58 | $140,560 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $66.55 | $138,420 |
Source: BLS
Workplace Type and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Nurse Salaries
Cardiac catheterization laboratory nurse compensation can also vary based on the work environment. For many cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses, outpatient care centers and general medical and surgical hospital positions pay the highest.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $49.35 | $102,640 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $46.55 | $96,830 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can a Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A cardiac catheterization laboratory nurse’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development. In certain workplaces, management offers incentives to get certifications, lead or take part in committees, and get on a management track.
Pay also rises with each year of experience. Most medical facilities offer new hires an hourly rate based on years of experience. So, even if a nurse changes positions or facilities, their pay should remain the same if the facilities are comparable.
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Nurse
Cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses can increase their salary in many ways. As discussed above, compensation directly correlates to location, workplace type, and level of education, and these factors can lead to a higher salary.
1. Earn a Higher Degree
For cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses with an ADN, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN, which typically increases earning potential.
2. Try a New Location
Compensation for cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses often depends on location, and a move to a new city can come with a higher salary. Keep in mind, though, that with a higher salary may also come a higher cost of living.
3. Earn Certification
By earning a specialty certification, cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses can prove their worth and become even more valuable to their employers, allowing them to leverage their expertise for higher pay.
4. Transfer to a New Work Setting
If a current work setting cannot increase a cardiac catheterization laboratory nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Nurse Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses?
The highest-paid cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses are those working in Outpatient Care Centers, who make an average of $102,640 a year, or $49.35 per hour.
2. What do cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses make per hour?
Cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses make an average of $45.42 an hour. This can increase or decrease based on experience, location, role, and education.
3. Which state and city pay cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses the best?
According to the BLS, California offers the highest pay for all RNs at $66.20 per hour, or $137,690 a year. San Francisco, CA, boasts the highest salaries at $83.83 per hour ($174,370 per year).
4. How can cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses get paid more?
Cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses can earn higher degrees, try a new location, earn specialty certification, or transfer to a new work environment, all of which could potentially increase pay.
5. Which degree gives cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses the highest pay?
To become a cardiac catheterization laboratory nurse, candidates must earn a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Of the two, a BSN typically offers cardiac catheterization laboratory nurses the highest pay.
