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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Operating Room Nurse in Kentucky is $83,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, an Operating Room Nurse's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Operating Room Nurse Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $93,300 | $7,775 | $1,794 | $45 |
| Average | $83,600 | $6,967 | $1,608 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,400 | $6,367 | $1,469 | $37 |
HCA Healthcare - Bowling Green, KY
MedPro Healthcare Staffing - Lexington, KY
Advantis Medical Staffing - Louisville, KY
Norton Healthcare - Louisville, KY
An Operating Room 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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Operating Room 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Operating Room Nurse | $81,276 |
| Intermediate Level Operating Room Nurse | $81,492 |
| Senior Level Operating Room Nurse | $84,378 |
| Specialist Level Operating Room Nurse | $88,429 |
| Expert Level Operating Room Nurse | $88,718 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Operating Room Nurses. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Operating Room Nurse salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $88,676. While startup companies pay approximate $75,565.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $75,565 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $79,769 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $85,777 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $88,676 |
For Operating Room Nurse roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Operating Room Nurse positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Operating Room Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $100,320 | $48.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an Operating Room 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $93,300 | $7,775 | $1,794 | $45 |
| Average | $83,600 | $6,967 | $1,608 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,400 | $6,367 | $1,469 | $37 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Operating Room Nurse, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Director Mother and Baby Unit | $152,500 | 82% |
| Director Intensive Care Unit Operations | $145,100 | 74% |
| Entry Registered Nurse - Staff | $69,300 | -17% |
| Organ Transplant Coordinator RN | $103,600 | 24% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Operating Room Nurse job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Advantis Medical Staffing
Paducah, KY
Advantis Medical Staffing | Paducah, KY
Travel Cvor Nurse In Paducah, Ky. This travel cvor nurse job in paducah, kentucky, with advantis medical is a 13-week travel cvor registered nurse (rn) con... more
1 Day Ago
Anders Group, LLC
Paducah, KY
Anders Group, LLC | Paducah, KY
Travel Or Operating Room Registered Nurse (Rn). Join Anders Group for a travel nursing assignment in Paducah, KY for a 13 week assignment. This opportunity... more
4 Days Ago
TNAA TotalMed RN
Louisville, KY
TNAA TotalMed RN | Louisville, KY
TNAA TotalMed RN is seeking a travel nurse RN OR - Operating Room for a travel nursing job in Louisville, Kentucky. Job Description & Requirements Specialt... more
5 Days Ago
Nightingale
Louisville, KY
Nightingale | Louisville, KY
Nightingale Nurses is seeking a travel nurse RN OR - Operating Room for a travel nursing job in Louisville, Kentucky. Job Description & Requirements Specia... more
5 Days Ago
Access Health Care Physicians LLC
Louisville, KY
Access Health Care Physicians LLC | Louisville, KY
Access Healthcare is seeking a travel nurse RN OR - Operating Room for a travel nursing job in Louisville, Kentucky. Job Description & Requirements Special... more
5 Days Ago
Focus
Louisville, KY
Focus | Louisville, KY
Focus Staff is seeking a travel nurse RN OR - Operating Room for a travel nursing job in Louisville, Kentucky. Job Description & Requirements Specialty:OR ... more
5 Days Ago
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