How Much Do Cardiovascular Operating Room Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence cardiovascular operating room (CVOR) nurse salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), cardiovascular operating room nurses earn about the same as any other registered nurse (RN) but more than the average U.S. salary. This guide will walk prospective CVOR nurses through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Cardiovascular Operating Room Nurses Salaries
CVOR 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 Cardiovascular Operating Room Nurses Make?
According to the BLS, cardiovascular operating room nurses make an average of $45.42 per hour in the U.S. This rate equals approximately $94,480 per year, which puts their salaries well above average.
Cardiovascular operating room nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Cardiovascular operating room nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Cardiovascular operating room nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Many CVOR nurses work 12-hour shifts or longer, depending on the surgery, 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.
According to the BLS, cardiovascular operating room nurses can make an average of $63,720 in the lower salary range, while the higher-end averages are closer to $132,680.
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Cardiovascular Operating Room Nurse Salaries
All cardiovascular operating room 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 their NCLEX, they receive an RN designation, similar to a nurse who achieves a BSN. However, CVOR 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 Cardiovascular Operating Room Nurse Salaries
Cardiovascular operating room nurses can earn specialty certifications through the Competency & Credentialing Institute, which offers the Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) designation. Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Cardiovascular Operating Room Nurse Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Cardiovascular Operating Room Nurse Salaries by State
The coasts generally offer CVOR nurses the highest pay, while the Southeastern states offer 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 Cardiovascular Operating Room 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 cardiovascular operating room 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 Cardiovascular Operating Room Nurse Salaries
Cardiovascular operating room nurse compensation can also vary based on the work environment. For many cardiovascular operating room 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 Cardiovascular Operating Room Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A CVOR 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 Cardiovascular Operating Room Nurse
Cardiovascular operating room 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 cardiovascular operating room 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 CVOR 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, cardiovascular operating room 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 cardiovascular operating room nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Cardiovascular Operating Room Nurse Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for cardiovascular operating room nurses?
The highest-paid CVOR 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 cardiovascular operating room nurses make per hour?
Cardiovascular operating room 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 cardiovascular operating room 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 cardiovascular operating room nurses get paid more?
Cardiovascular operating room 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 cardiovascular operating room nurses the highest pay?
To become a cardiovascular operating room 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 the highest pay for cardiovascular operating room nurses.
