upper level job

How much does a Cath Lab Nurse make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cath Lab Nurse in the United States is $96,501 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

However, a Cath Lab Nurse's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $112,358
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $85,701 to $104,801
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $75,868

Key Factors That Influence Cath Lab Nurse Salaries

A Cath Lab Nurse's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Cath Lab Nurse Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cath Lab Nurse's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $93,055
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $93,861
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $94,989
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $96,849
  • Expert (over 8 years): $99,326
Levels Salary
Entry Level Cath Lab Nurse$93,055
Intermediate Level Cath Lab Nurse$93,861
Senior Level Cath Lab Nurse$94,989
Specialist Level Cath Lab Nurse$96,849
Expert Level Cath Lab Nurse$99,326

Top Paying Cities for Cath Lab Nurses

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $121,701
  • San Francisco: $120,401
  • Oakland: $117,801

What Skills Can Increase a Cath Lab Nurse's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Accountability (Mentioned in 4.65% Job Postings): Setting and holding oneself and others to stated expectations by associating tasks with our business's mission, values, and goals.
  • Nursing Practice (Mentioned in 2.82% Job Postings): Nursing practice may be work experience that is direct and/or indirect patient care in clinical practice, nursing administration, education, research, or consultation in the specialty represented by the credential.
  • Basic Life Support (Mentioned in 1.73% Job Postings): BLS is a level of medical care which is used for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries until they can be given full medical care by advanced life support providers. It can be provided by trained medical personnel.
Skills Demand Percentage
Accountability 4.65%
Nursing Practice 2.82%
Basic Life Support 1.73%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Cath Lab Nurse's salary.

  • Employee Engagement: Can increase your salary by up to 28%.
  • Instructing: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Employee Engagement $123,521
28%
Instructing $115,801
20%
Verbal Communication $108,081
12%

Cath Lab Nurse Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cath Lab Nurse salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $102,425. While startup companies pay approximate $87,224.

Cath Lab Nurse Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $87,224
Growth Stage 51~500 $92,098
Established 501~5000 $99,053
Enterprise 5000+ $102,425

Cath Lab Nurse Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cath Lab Nurse roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Cath Lab Nurse positions in Edu., Government & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Cath Lab Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Cath Lab Nurse

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$106,151$51.010%

Cath Lab Nurse Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cath Lab Nurse's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$85,701
Average $96,501/year
$104,801
$7,142
Average $8,042/month
$8,733
$1,648
Average $1,856/week
$2,015
$41
Average $46/hour
$50
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $104,801 $8,733 $2,015 $50
Average $96,501 $8,042 $1,856 $46
25th Percentile $85,701 $7,142 $1,648 $41

Cath Lab Nurse Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Cath Lab Nurse, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Heart Cath Lab Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $115,900 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Cath Lab Nurse

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Cath Lab Nurse

Here are companies hiring for Cath Lab Nurse and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Cath Lab Nurse Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cath Lab Nurse job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Cath Lab Nurse

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Cath Lab Nurse?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Cath Lab Nurse roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. Can a new nurse work in the cath lab?

While new nurses may face challenges in securing a position in the Cath Lab due to the preference for experienced candidates, gaining experience in high-intensity areas like the Emergency Department or Intensive Care Unit can be beneficial. Salaries for Cath Lab Nurses range from $82,801 to $101,801, with a median salary of $91,501, reflecting the specialized skills required in this field.

3. Do cath lab nurses work 12 hour shifts?

Cath lab nurses typically work in hospitals and independent cardiac care centers where catheterizations are performed. They often work 12-hour shifts in hospital settings, while shifts in cardiac care centers may range from 8 to 10 hours. The salary for cath lab nurses ranges from $82,801 to $101,801, with a mid-salary of $91,501.

4. Is cath lab a good career?

A career as a Cath Lab Nurse can be rewarding both personally and financially. With salaries ranging from a minimum of $82,801 to a maximum of $101,801, this profession offers a solid income. The mid-salary is approximately $91,501, making it a lucrative option for those interested in cardiac care. Overall, it's a promising career choice.

5. Is cath lab nursing stressful?

Cath Lab nursing can be quite stressful due to its fast-paced environment and the critical nature of procedures like angioplasties and pacemaker implantations. Nurses in this field earn a salary ranging from $82,801 to $101,801, reflecting the demanding responsibilities and expertise required. It's a rewarding yet challenging career choice.

6. How much does a cath lab RN earn in Texas?

Cath Lab Nurse Salary Guide: In Texas, Cath Lab Nurses earn between $82,801 and $101,801 annually, with a median salary of $91,501. This reflects the specialized skills required for the role and may vary based on experience and location within the state.

7. Is cath lab a good job?

A cath lab nurse is a rewarding career choice, offering a competitive salary range from $82,801 to $101,801, with a median salary of $91,501. This role allows you to work with diverse patient populations and gain valuable experience in a dynamic environment, making it an exciting and fulfilling profession.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst