How Much Do Organ Procurement Coordinators Make?

Several factors can influence organ procurement coordinator salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Organ procurement coordinators can 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). However, some earn less, according to ZipRecruiter. This guide will walk any prospective organ procurement coordinator through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.

Just the Highlights: Organ Procurement Coordinator Salaries

Organ procurement coordinators can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:

How Much Do Organ Procurement Coordinators Make?

In the U.S., organ procurement coordinators make an average of $31.26 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter. This rate equals approximately $65,020 per year, which puts organ procurement coordinator salaries above the national average salary.

Organ procurement coordinator compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.

In the lower salary range, organ procurement coordinators can make an average of $48,000, while the higher end averages closer to $99,500, according to ZipRecruiter.

How Education Affects Organ Procurement Coordinator Salaries

Most organ procurement coordinators 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, organ procurement coordinators with a BSN will receive higher pay than those with an ADN, and some employers require their nurses to have a BSN degree.

How Specialty Certification Affects Organ Procurement Coordinator Salaries

Organ procurement coordinators can earn specialty certifications through the American Board for Transplant Certification:

• Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator (CPTC)
• Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator (CCTC)
• Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN)
• Certified Transplant Preservationist (CTP)

Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.

Location and Organ Procurement Coordinator Salaries

As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.

Top-Paying Organ Procurement Coordinator Salaries by State

The coasts generally pay organ procurement coordinators the highest, while the Southeastern states pay the lowest.

Top-Paying Organ Procurement Coordinator 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, an organ procurement coordinator working for an organ procurement organization in New York will earn more than one who lives and works in a small rural town in Ohio.

Workplace Type and Organ Procurement Coordinator Salaries

Organ procurement coordinators’ compensation can also vary based on the organization they work for. While organ procurement coordinators work for organ procurement organizations (OPOs), one OPO may have a higher budget for their employees than others.

How Fast Can an Organ Procurement Coordinator’s Salary Grow?

An organ procurement coordinator’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 an Organ Procurement Coordinator

Organ procurement coordinators 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 organ procurement coordinators with an ADN, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN, which typically increases earning potential.

2. Try a New Location

Compensation for organ procurement coordinators 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, organ procurement coordinators 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 an organ procurement coordinator’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.

Organ Procurement Coordinator Salaries FAQs

   1. What role offers the highest pay for organ procurement coordinators?

The highest-paid organ procurement coordinators are those working for Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs), who make an average of $65,020 a year, or $31.26 per hour.

   2. What do organ procurement coordinators make per hour?

Organ procurement coordinators make an average of $31.26 an hour. This can increase or decrease based on experience, location, role, and education.

   3. Which state and city pay organ procurement coordinators the best?

According to ZipRecruiter, Washington offers the highest pay for all RNs at $35.40 per hour, or $73,641 a year. Berkeley, CA, boasts the highest salaries at $41.43 per hour ($86,180 per year).

   4. How can organ procurement coordinators get paid more?

Organ procurement coordinators 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 organ procurement coordinators the highest pay?

To become an organ procurement coordinator, 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.