The OR nurse salary reflects the high demand and specialized skills required in surgical care. OR nurses earn competitive pay that varies by location, experience, and employment type. This guide breaks down salary trends, top-paying states, and what influences an OR nurse’s earning potential.
An operating room (OR) nurse can also be called a perioperative nurse because they provide care during the perioperative (preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative) phases of surgery. They work with the team in surgery to ensure the safety and of patients undergoing surgery. They are also responsible for maintaining a sterile environment by assisting in the setup, cleanup, and sterilization of instruments.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than other occupations. The demand for OR nurses is driven by the aging population, advances in technology, and the increased demand for surgery.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for OR RN Jobs in the US
The OR nurse salary is influenced by the demand for nurses, the cost of living, and regional economic conditions. According to ZipRecruiter.com, the highest and lowest paying states for OR RNs are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for OR RNs:
1. Washington
2. New York
3. Massachusetts
4. Alaska
5. Vermont
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for OR 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
Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average salary
An OR nurse salary in the U.S. is influenced by their experience, location, and employing institution. An entry-level salary for those starting their career is around $54,100 annually and salary will increase with experience. The average salary for an OR RN is $87,547 per year, or $42.09 per hour. The median salary is around $84,745 annually.
A traveling OR nurse will receive a higher hourly rate because of the temporary nature of their job. The average salary for a travel OR nurse is about $2,340 per week or $121,680 per year. Salaries can range from $94,573 to $171,500 depending on experience, location, and demand.
Average OR Nurse Salary by State (for non-traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $58,221 | $1,120 | $27.99 |
| Alaska | $65,878 | $1,267 | $31.67 |
| Arizona | $70,928 | $1,364 | $34.10 |
| Arkansas | $59,953 | $1,152 | $28.82 |
| California | $101,078 | $1,944 | $48.60 |
| Colorado | $62,648 | $1,204 | $30.12 |
| Connecticut | $60,491 | $1,163 | $29.08 |
| Delaware | $73,563 | $1,415 | $35.37 |
| Florida | $55,167 | $1,060 | $26.52 |
| Georgia | $65,990 | $1,269 | $31.73 |
| Hawaii | $114,707 | $2,206 | $55.15 |
| Idaho | $73,698 | $1,417 | $35.43 |
| Illinois | $73,174 | $1,407 | $35.18 |
| Indiana | $70,479 | $1,355 | $33.88 |
| Iowa | $67,608 | $1,300 | $32.50 |
| Kansas | $66,399 | $1,277 | $31.92 |
| Kentucky | $65,929 | $1,268 | $31.70 |
| Louisiana | $66,746 | $1,284 | $32.09 |
| Maine | $58,244 | $1,120 | $28.00 |
| Maryland | $64,082 | $1,232 | $30.81 |
| Massachusetts | $72,846 | $1,400 | $35.02 |
| Michigan | $78,113 | $1,502 | $37.55 |
| Minnesota | $72,735 | $1,399 | $34.97 |
| Mississippi | $48,473 | $932 | $23.30 |
| Missouri | $62,867 | $1,208 | $30.22 |
| Montana | $66,768 | $1,284 | $32.10 |
| Nebraska | $74,498 | $1,432 | $35.82 |
| Nevada | $77,182 | $1,484 | $37.11 |
| New Hampshire | $50,547 | $972 | $24.30 |
| New Jersey | $73,698 | $1,417 | $35.43 |
| New Mexico | $80,111 | $1,541 | $38.51 |
| New York | $80,020 | $1,539 | $38.47 |
| North Carolina | $51,217 | $985 | $24.62 |
| North Dakota | $58,264 | $1,120 | $28.01 |
| Ohio | $68,054 | $1,309 | $32.72 |
| Oklahoma | $67,863 | $1,305 | $32.63 |
| Oregon | $77,197 | $1,485 | $37.11 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,292 | $1,409 | $35.24 |
| Rhode Island | $61,030 | $1,174 | $29.34 |
| South Carolina | $64,218 | $1,235 | $30.87 |
| South Dakota | $65,931 | $1,268 | $31.70 |
| Tennessee | $46,760 | $899 | $22.48 |
| Texas | $61,959 | $1,192 | $29.79 |
| Utah | $62,091 | $1,194 | $29.85 |
| Vermont | $43,344 | $834 | $20.84 |
| Virginia | $71,567 | $1,376 | $34.41 |
| Washington | $70,377 | $1,353 | $33.84 |
| West Virginia | $60,018 | $1,154 | $28.85 |
| Wisconsin | $78,239 | $1,504 | $37.61 |
| Wyoming | $73,913 | $1,421 | $35.54 |
**Data from Zippia
Average OR Nurse Salary by State (for traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $85,720 | $1,648 | $41.21 |
| Alaska | $101,850 | $1,958 | $48.97 |
| Arizona | $88,132 | $1,694 | $42.37 |
| Arkansas | $78,203 | $1,503 | $37.60 |
| California | $93,335 | $1,794 | $44.87 |
| Colorado | $99,445 | $1,912 | $47.81 |
| Connecticut | $89,966 | $1,730 | $43.25 |
| Delaware | $94,655 | $1,820 | $45.51 |
| Florida | $70,674 | $1,359 | $33.98 |
| Georgia | $79,856 | $1,535 | $38.39 |
| Hawaii | $98,258 | $1,889 | $47.24 |
| Idaho | $88,984 | $1,711 | $42.78 |
| Illinois | $91,644 | $1,762 | $44.06 |
| Indiana | $89,993 | $1,730 | $43.27 |
| Iowa | $88,829 | $1,708 | $42.71 |
| Kansas | $84,345 | $1,622 | $40.55 |
| Kentucky | $82,139 | $1,579 | $39.49 |
| Louisiana | $80,872 | $1,555 | $38.88 |
| Maine | $91,566 | $1,760 | $44.02 |
| Maryland | $91,787 | $1,765 | $44.13 |
| Massachusetts | $103,286 | $1,986 | $49.66 |
| Michigan | $82,430 | $1,585 | $39.63 |
| Minnesota | $92,626 | $1,781 | $44.53 |
| Mississippi | $89,567 | $1,722 | $43.06 |
| Missouri | $88,710 | $1,705 | $42.65 |
| Montana | $86,804 | $1,669 | $41.73 |
| Nebraska | $90,171 | $1,734 | $43.35 |
| Nevada | $96,305 | $1,852 | $46.30 |
| New Hampshire | $91,973 | $1,768 | $44.22 |
| New Jersey | $96,014 | $1,846 | $46.16 |
| New Mexico | $91,648 | $1,762 | $44.06 |
| New York | $103,466 | $1,989 | $49.74 |
| North Carolina | $85,948 | $1,652 | $41.32 |
| North Dakota | $100,066 | $1,924 | $48.11 |
| Ohio | $89,911 | $1,729 | $43.23 |
| Oklahoma | $87,323 | $1,679 | $41.98 |
| Oregon | $99,991 | $1,922 | $48.07 |
| Pennsylvania | $94,800 | $1,823 | $45.58 |
| Rhode Island | $92,617 | $1,781 | $44.53 |
| South Carolina | $87,760 | $1,687 | $42.19 |
| South Dakota | $94,573 | $1,818 | $45.47 |
| Tennessee | $85,836 | $1,650 | $41.27 |
| Texas | $88,110 | $1,694 | $42.36 |
| Utah | $86,097 | $1,655 | $41.39 |
| Vermont | $100,555 | $1,933 | $48.34 |
| Virginia | $93,762 | $1,803 | $45.08 |
| Washington | $107,113 | $2,059 | $51.50 |
| West Virginia | $73,216 | $1,408 | $35.20 |
| Wisconsin | $95,458 | $1,835 | $45.89 |
| Wyoming | $90,906 | $1,748 | $43.70 |
Note: From ZipRecruiter
What is the average incentive bonus for an OR Nurse Job?
An OR nurse can receive many types of bonuses including sign-on, performance, referral, retention, shift-differentials, and holiday bonuses. Sign-on bonuses can range from $2,000 to $20,000 depending on demand in the area, facility and the level of experience required. Many OR nurses can earn bonuses for taking on more shifts or for filling staffing shortages which are a percentage of the base hourly rate or as a fixed amount and can range from $1 to $10+ per hour. OR nurses may also be eligible for retention or performance-based bonuses from $2,000 to $10,000. Travel OR nurses can earn bonuses anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000.
Employed vs. self-employed OR RN Job
Salaries will vary between employed and self-employed OR RNs. Employed RNs have a fixed, stable salary, health insurance, retirement plans, education reimbursement, and paid time off. They usually work for a hospital system and have less financial risk and less flexibility in scheduling.
A self-employed or travel OR RN will work independently through a staffing agency. They often have higher earning potential and flexibility; however, they must find their own jobs, and may/may not be provided with healthcare, liability coverage or a retirement plan. They may also have certain tax advantages.
How to do an effective OR RN job search
We make it is easy to find an OR RN position with PRNHealthcare. Use the position job search bar by searching “I am a RN” and select OR as your specialty. Finally, use the location bar to select your state and city of choice.
Most common benefits for an OR RN
Being an OR RN comes with many professional and personal benefits including:
- Job Security- OR nurses will always be in demand due to an aging population and more surgical procedures.
- Competitive Salary & Bonuses- OR nurses earn higher salaries with an opportunity for overtime, shift differentials, and bonuses.
- Specialized Skill Development- OR RNs have a specialized skill set to assist in surgery, understand medical equipment, and managing a sterile site.
- Work-Life Balance- Many OR nurses have flexibility with the shifts for days, nights, weekends, and on-call shifts.
- Job Satisfaction- OR nurses play a significant role during many life-saving surgeries and improve patient outcomes.
- Teamwork and Collaboration– OR nurses work as a part of a surgical team and collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals.
- Personal Development– An OR nurse can receive education other certificates like Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR).
- Financial Benefits- Besides compensation, OR nurses are provided with many types of insurance including health & life, retirement plans, bonuses, shift differentials, and PTO.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much is an OR nurse salary annually?
OR nurses in the U.S. earn around $84,745 per year, Salaries can range from $54,000 (entry-level) to over $110,000+ with increased experience, certifications, location, and travel.
2. Do OR nurses earn more than other RNs?
Yes, OR nurses typically earn more than a general Registered Nurse (RN) due to their specialized skills, high-acuity patients, and the critical care environment they work in. The median annual salary for RNs across all specialties is between $65,000 – $100,000 compared to $75,000 – $120,000+ for OR nurses.
3. Do travel OR nurses make more than employed OR nurses?
Travel OR nurses often earn higher wages due to the temporary and flexible nature of their assignments. OR nurse salary varies depending on location, demand, and the agency. They can average around $2,340 per week, which is $120,000+ per year, plus housing and travel stipends.
4. What factors influence an OR nurse salary?
Several factors can impact an OR nurse’s salary including experience, location, certifications, shift differentials, and type of facility.
5. Do OR nurses receive bonuses?
Yes, OR nurses often receive bonuses. Like other RNs, the most common types of bonuses include sign-on, shift incentives, performance, referral, and retention bonuses.