How Much Do Operating Room Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence operating room nursing salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Operating room (OR) 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 operating room nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Operating Room Nurse Salaries
Operating room 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
These numbers are averages, and when you combine factors, they can vary enormously. For example, an operating room nurse working in a large city hospital may make more than an operating room nurse working in a small rural dental surgery office.
How Much Do Operating Room Nurses Make?
According to the BLS, operating room nurses make an average of $94,480 in the U.S. Their hourly pay averages $45.42, but wages can vary depending on the situation.
Operating room nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Operating room nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some operating room nurses may be eligible for overtime and evening/weekend pay differentials. Certain employers may also offer sign-on bonuses. Based on the details laid out in this guide, an operating room nurse’s salary can range from the lower average of $63,720 to an above average $132,680, according to the BLS.
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Operating Room Nurse Salaries
Aspiring operating room nurses can reach this goal by following a few different education paths. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) offers a shorter option, typically finished in two years. To get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), students attend four years of nursing school. Some BSN programs offer an accelerated option, which can be finished in as little as a year but requires a previous degree or several prerequisites.
When nurses graduate with an ADN and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), they receive an RN designation, similar to a nurse who achieves a BSN. However, operating room 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 |
| BSN | $92,000 |
| ADN | $75,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Operating Room Nurse Salaries
An OR nurse with specialty certification can offer more value to their employer than a new nurse with no experience, and their pay will reflect that value. Once an operating room nurse has some experience in their field, they can apply to test for certification in that specialty. The Competency & Credentialing Institute offers several certifications for OR nurses:
Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can cause a pay raise.
Location and Operating Room Nurse Salaries
Salary offerings are often based partially on the cost of living in the area and the current demand for operating room nurses. Some locations offer nursing unions, which can also mean higher salaries.
Top-Paying Operating Room Nurse Salaries by State
The West Coast and Northeastern states pay operating room nurses the most, and some Midwest and Southeast states pay the least.
| State | Average Salary |
| 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 Operating Room Nurse Salaries by City
Like other occupations nationwide, operating room nursing salaries are higher in urban areas. For example, wages from all types of employment are higher in New York City than in a small rural town in the Midwest.
Cities have a higher population, a higher cost of living, and more demand for health services. Because of these factors, organizations in big cities can usually pay more than those in smaller communities.
| 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 Operating Room Nurse Salaries
Operating room nurses who work in a large hospital with several operating rooms may earn higher salaries than those working in a rural dental clinic. Operating room nurses can also make more money in the business world, consulting and serving as executives.
| 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 an Operating Room Nurse’s Salary Grow?
An operating room nurse’s salary grows based on professional development and higher education. Operating room nursing pay also rises with each year of experience. Operating room nurses can pursue higher salaries through certification and employment at larger organizations or higher-paying locations.
How to Increase Your Earnings as an Operating Room Nurse
Any nurse can improve their salary by taking certain steps toward elevating their professional status. The nursing field in the U.S. is on the rise, and the BLS reports an expected growth rate of 6% through 2032. We’ve laid out some simple tips below to supercharge any nursing career.
1. Get Certified
Professional certifications showcase expertise and elevate any candidate’s desirability for employers. A current employer may increase pay to keep a certified operating room nurse, and a prospective employer will likely choose an operating room nurse with certification over another one without.
2. Earn a BSN
For operating room nurses with an ADN, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN. Nurses may also pursue higher degrees, like an MSN or DNP, for even higher salaries.
3. Pursue Management
Operating room nurses who take on more responsibility and leadership roles can earn higher compensation. Operating room leadership roles can include managing a busy hospital operating room schedule or pursuing administrative positions.
4. Change Your Workplace
Outpatient care centers often pay operating room nurses the best, so any operating room nurse working outside that setting can try moving to a new workplace to earn higher pay.
Operating Room Nursing Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for operating room nurses?
The highest-paid operating room 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 operating room nurses make per hour?
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 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).
