How Much Do Orthopedic Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence orthopedic nurse salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Orthopedic 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 orthopedic nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Orthopedic Nurse Salaries
Orthopedic 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 Orthopedic Nurses Make?
In the U.S., orthopedic nurses make an average of $45.42 per hour, according to the BLS. This rate equals approximately $94,480 per year, which puts orthopedic nurse salaries well above average.
Orthopedic nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Orthopedic nurse average annual salary:
$94,480
Orthopedic nurse average hourly wage:
$45.42
Many orthopedic nurses work 12-hour shifts, 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, orthopedic 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 Orthopedic Nurse Salaries
All orthopedic 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, orthopedic nurses with a BSN will receive higher pay than those with an ADN, and some employers require their nurses to have a BSN degree.
After obtaining an RN license and gaining some experience as a nurse, orthopedic nurses may choose a higher education path, although this is not required for this specialty. Orthopedic nurses can choose to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which takes about two years to complete. Others graduate with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which takes longer, but may offer higher salaries.
| Degree | Annual Average Salary |
| DNP | $225,000 |
| MSN | $124,680 |
| BSN | $92,000 |
| ADN | $75,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Orthopedic Nurse Salaries
Orthopedic nurses can earn specialty certifications through the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONC), which offers the ONC exam to earn specialty designation. Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Orthopedic Nurse Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Orthopedic Nurse Salaries by State
The coasts generally offer orthopedic 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 Orthopedic 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 orthopedic nurses work for a large teaching hospital in a city of millions, they will probably earn more than those who work with a small long-term care facility 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 Orthopedic Nurse Salaries
Orthopedic nurse compensation can also vary depending on the work environment. According to the BLS, outpatient care centers and hospital jobs pay orthopedic nurses 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 |
| Home Health Care Services | $42.03 | $87,430 |
| Offices of Physicians | $39.96 | $83,110 |
Source: BLS
How to Increase Your Earnings as an Orthopedic Nurse
Orthopedic 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 pave the way to a higher charge nursing salary.
1. Earn a Higher Degree
For orthopedic nurses with an ADN, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN, which typically increases earning potential. Nurses may also pursue higher degrees, like an MSN or DNP, for even higher salaries.
2. Try a New Location
Compensation for orthopedic 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, orthopedic 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 an orthopedic nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Orthopedic Nurse Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for orthopedic nurses?
The highest-paid orthopedic 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 orthopedic nurses make per hour?
Orthopedic 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 orthopedic 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 orthopedic nurses get paid more?
Orthopedic 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 orthopedic nurses the highest pay?
To become an orthopedic 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 orthopedic nurses the highest pay. The highest-paying degree in most nursing fields is the DNP, or Doctor of Nursing Practice.
