Cardiovascular Operating Room RN Job Description
A cardiovascular operating room (CVOR) nurse assists in the operating room during cardiac and vascular surgeries. They prepare and sterilize both instruments and equipment for open-heart surgery, valve replacements, coronary bypass procedures and heart transplants.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032 with specialty nurses in more demand. The demand for CVOR RNs is driven by an aging population, the high prevalence of cardiac disease, advancements in surgery, and a shortage of perioperative nurses due to retirement.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for CVOR RN Jobs in the US
The salary for a CVOR nurse is influenced by the demand for nurses, the cost of living, certifications, and regional economic conditions. According to ZipRecruiter.com, the highest and lowest paying states for CVOR RNs are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for CVOR RNs:
1. Washington
2. New York
3. Massachusetts
4. Alaska
5. Vermont
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for CVOR RNs:
1. Florida
2. West Virginia
3. Arkansas
4. Georgia
5. Louisiana
The state salary data varies between sources.
Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary Median
** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/operating-room-nurse/#salary-history-line-chart
Cardiac OR nurses make $5,000-$15,000K more annually than a general OR nurse.
Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average salary
The salary for a CVOR nurse is based on their experience, location, and employment type. For an employed RN, the median salary ranges between $95,000-$100,000 and an entry level salary is expected to be $78,000-$85,000 annually. The average salary is $90,000-$110,000 per year which is $43-$53 per hour.
A traveling CVOR nurse will receive a higher hourly rate. The average salary for a travel CVOR nurse ranges from $2,800-$3,500 per week or $135,000-$170,000 while a crisis/rapid-response assignment may pay $3,500-$4,200+ per week.
Average CVOR RN Salary by State (for non-traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $73,221 | $1,408 | $35.20 |
| Alaska | $80,878 | $1,555 | $38.88 |
| Arizona | $85,928 | $1,652 | $41.31 |
| Arkansas | $74,953 | $1,441 | $36.04 |
| California | $116,073 | $2,232 | $55.80 |
| Colorado | $77,648 | $1,493 | $37.32 |
| Connecticut | $75,491 | $1,452 | $36.30 |
| Delaware | $88,563 | $1,703 | $42.58 |
| Florida | $70,167 | $1,349 | $33.73 |
| Georgia | $80,990 | $1,558 | $38.94 |
| Hawaii | $129,707 | $2,494 | $62.24 |
| Idaho | $88,698 | $1,706 | $42.64 |
| Illinois | $88,174 | $1,696 | $42.39 |
| Indiana | $85,479 | $1,644 | $41.10 |
| Iowa | $82,608 | $1,589 | $39.72 |
| Kansas | $78,999 | $1,519 | $37.98 |
| Kentucky | $80,929 | $1,556 | $38.91 |
| Louisiana | $81,746 | $1,572 | $39.30 |
| Maine | $73,244 | $1,409 | $35.21 |
| Maryland | $79,082 | $1,521 | $38.02 |
| Massachusetts | $87,846 | $1,698 | $42.23 |
| Michigan | $93,113 | $1,790 | $44.77 |
| Minnesota | $87,735 | $1,687 | $42.18 |
| Mississippi | $63,473 | $1,221 | $30.52 |
| Missouri | $77,867 | $1,497 | $37.44 |
| Montana | $81,768 | $1,572 | $39.31 |
| Nebraska | $89,498 | $1,721 | $43.03 |
| Nevada | $92,182 | $1,772 | $44.32 |
| New Hampshire | $65,547 | $1,260 | $31.51 |
| New Jersey | $88,698 | $1,706 | $42.64 |
| New Mexico | $95,111 | $1,829 | $45.73 |
| New York | $95,020 | $1,827 | $45.68 |
| North Carolina | $66,216 | $1,273 | $31.84 |
| North Dakota | $73,264 | $1,409 | $35.22 |
| Ohio | $83,054 | $1,597 | $39.93 |
| Oklahoma | $82,863 | $1,594 | $39.84 |
| Oregon | $92,197 | $1,773 | $44.32 |
| Pennsylvania | $88,292 | $1,698 | $42.45 |
| Rhode Island | $76,030 | $1,462 | $36.55 |
| South Carolina | $79,218 | $1,523 | $38.09 |
| South Dakota | $80,931 | $1,556 | $38.91 |
| Tennessee | $61,760 | $1,188 | $29.69 |
| Texas | $76,959 | $1,480 | $36.99 |
| Utah | $77,091 | $1,483 | $37.06 |
| Vermont | $58,344 | $1,122 | $28.05 |
| Virginia | $86,567 | $1,665 | $41.62 |
| Washington | $85,377 | $1,642 | $41.05 |
| West Virginia | $75,018 | $1,443 | $36.07 |
| Wisconsin | $93,239 | $1,793 | $44.83 |
| Wyoming | $88,913 | $1,710 | $42.75 |
**Data from Zippia OR nurse plus $15K added for cardiac specialty
Average CVOR RN Job Salary by State (for traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $138,137 | $2,656 | $66.41 |
| Alaska | $164,130 | $3,156 | $78.91 |
| Arizona | $142,023 | $2,731 | $68.28 |
| Arkansas | $126,023 | $2,423 | $60.59 |
| California | $150,408 | $2,892 | $72.31 |
| Colorado | $160,255 | $3,081 | $77.05 |
| Connecticut | $144,980 | $2,788 | $69.70 |
| Delaware | $152,535 | $2,933 | $73.33 |
| Florida | $113,890 | $2,190 | $54.75 |
| Georgia | $128,687 | $2,474 | $61.87 |
| Hawaii | $158,341 | $3,045 | $76.13 |
| Idaho | $143,396 | $2,757 | $68.94 |
| Illinois | $147,683 | $2,840 | $71.00 |
| Indiana | $145,022 | $2,788 | $69.72 |
| Iowa | $143,148 | $2,752 | $68.82 |
| Kansas | $135,921 | $2,613 | $65.35 |
| Kentucky | $132,367 | $2,545 | $63.64 |
| Louisiana | $130,324 | $2,506 | $62.66 |
| Maine | $147,557 | $2,837 | $70.94 |
| Maryland | $147,914 | $2,844 | $71.11 |
| Massachusetts | $166,444 | $3,200 | $80.02 |
| Michigan | $132,834 | $2,554 | $63.86 |
| Minnesota | $149,266 | $2,870 | $71.76 |
| Mississippi | $144,337 | $2,775 | $69.39 |
| Missouri | $142,955 | $2,749 | $68.73 |
| Montana | $139,883 | $2,690 | $67.25 |
| Nebraska | $145,309 | $2,794 | $69.86 |
| Nevada | $155,194 | $2,984 | $74.61 |
| New Hampshire | $148,214 | $2,850 | $71.26 |
| New Jersey | $154,726 | $2,975 | $74.39 |
| New Mexico | $147,690 | $2,840 | $71.00 |
| New York | $166,735 | $3,206 | $80.16 |
| North Carolina | $138,505 | $2,663 | $66.59 |
| North Dakota | $161,255 | $3,101 | $77.53 |
| Ohio | $144,890 | $2,786 | $69.66 |
| Oklahoma | $140,720 | $2,706 | $67.65 |
| Oregon | $161,134 | $3,098 | $77.47 |
| Pennsylvania | $152,770 | $2,937 | $73.45 |
| Rhode Island | $149,251 | $2,870 | $71.76 |
| South Carolina | $141,424 | $2,719 | $67.99 |
| South Dakota | $152,404 | $2,930 | $73.27 |
| Tennessee | $138,324 | $2,660 | $66.50 |
| Texas | $141,988 | $2,730 | $68.26 |
| Utah | $138,744 | $2,668 | $66.70 |
| Vermont | $162,044 | $3,116 | $77.91 |
| Virginia | $151,096 | $2,905 | $72.64 |
| Washington | $172,612 | $3,319 | $82.99 |
| West Virginia | $117,986 | $2,268 | $56.72 |
| Wisconsin | $153,829 | $2,958 | $73.96 |
| Wyoming | $146,494 | $2,817 | $70.43 |
Note: **Data from Zippia OR Travel nurse plus $15K added for cardiac specialty
What is the average incentive bonus for a CVOR RN Job?
An employed CVOR nurse may be eligible for several types of bonuses including sign-on, performance or annual retention, shift-differentials, and on-call/call-back pay. Sign-on bonuses can range from $5,000 to $20,000 for a specialty OR nurse. Many CVOR RNs can earn bonuses for being on-call or double pay when called in which can range from $3 to $7 per hour. Retention or performance-based bonuses for a CVOR nurse can range from $2,000 to $5,000. Travel CVOR RNs can earn a completion bonus of $500-$1,000 dollars for finishing an assignment and/or and additional $500-$1,000 per week for crisis/rapid response assignments at high-need hospitals or for an urgent start date.
Employed vs. self-employed CVOR RN Job
Salaries vary between employed and self-employed CVOR RNs. Employed RNs work directly with a hospital or health system. They have a fixed, stable salary, health insurance, retirement plans, education reimbursement, and paid time off. Their employer handles the taxes.
A self-employed or travel CVOR RN works as an independent contractor through a staffing agency. They often have higher earning potential and flexibility; however, they are business owners and are responsible for their own taxes. They may/may not be provided with healthcare, insurance or a retirement plan.
Most common benefits for a CVOR RN
Being a CVOR RN comes with many professional and personal benefits including:
1. High Demand/Job Security- CVOR nurses are in high demand because of the high rates of cardiovascular disease and the difficulty of replacing specialized nurses.
2. Competitive Salary & Bonuses- CVOR nurses earn more than general OR nurses due to their specialization and they are eligible for on-call pay, shift differentials and sign-on bonuses.
3. Specialized Skill Development- CVOR RNs gain expertise with cardiovascular surgeries like open-heart and valve repair/replacement.
4. Career Advancement- Their experience in surgery makes it easier to move into more advanced roles or they may earn more with additional certifications.
5.Job Satisfaction- CVOR RNs play a role in many life-saving surgeries which gives them a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
6.Teamwork and Collaboration-CVOR nurses work as a part of a surgical team and have professional relationships with other team members.
7.Growth and Development– A CVOR nurse gains technical and critical thinking skills which can be used in other nursing specialties.
8.Financial Benefits- Besides compensation, CVOR nurses may be provided with insurance including health & life, retirement plans, bonuses, shift differentials, and PTO.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the average salary of a CVOR nurse?
CVOR RNs earn an average of $90,000-$110,000 per year or $43-$53 an hour depending upon certifications, location, and travel. Entry level CVOR nurses earn $78,000-$85,000 annually.
2. Do CVOR nurses earn more than general OR RNs?
Yes, CVOR nurses earn $5,000-$15,000 more annually than a general OR nurse.
3. Do travel CVOR nurses make more than employed CVOR nurses?
Yes, travel CVOR RNs can earn $2,800-$3,500 a week with rapid-response assignments paying $3,500-$4,200+ per week.
4. Do certifications increase CVOR nurse pay?
Yes, certifications including CNOR (Certified Nurse Operating Room) or CSC (Cardiac Surgery Certification) can increase pay by $1–$2 per hour or $500 – $2,000 annually.
5. Do CVOR nurses receive bonuses?
Yes, many employers offer sign-on bonuses, performance bonuses, retention bonuses, and on-call pay.
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