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OR Nurse Salary in the United States

How much does an OR Nurse make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an OR Nurse in the United States is $88,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $108,439
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $81,130 to $99,080
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $74,147
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence OR Nurse Salaries

An OR 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects OR Nurse Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an OR 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): $86,281
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $86,510
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $89,567
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $93,863
  • Expert (over 8 years): $94,170
Levels Salary
Entry Level OR Nurse$86,281
Intermediate Level OR Nurse$86,510
Senior Level OR Nurse$89,567
Specialist Level OR Nurse$93,863
Expert Level OR Nurse$94,170
View as Graph

How Do OR Nurse Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 OR Nurses. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $98,310.
  • California: $97,940.
  • Massachusetts: $96,640.

Top Paying Cities for OR 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: $112,000
  • San Francisco: $110,770
  • Oakland: $108,440

What Skills Can Increase an OR Nurse's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 5.85% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Nursing Practice (Mentioned in 2.7% 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.
  • Life Support (Mentioned in 2.17% Job Postings): Life support refers to the treatments and techniques performed in an emergency in order to support life after the failure of one or more vital organs. Healthcare providers and emergency medical technicians are generally certified to perform basic and advanced life support procedures; however, basic life support is sometimes provided at the scene of an emergency by family members or bystanders before emergency services arrive. In the case of cardiac injuries, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is initiated by bystanders or family members 25% of the time. Basic life support techniques, such as performing CPR on a victim of cardiac arrest, can double or even triple that patient's chance of survival. Other types of basic life support include relief from choking (which can be done by using the Heimlich maneuver), staunching of bleeding by direct compression and elevation above the heart (and if necessary, pressure on arterial pressure points and the use of a manufactured or improvised tourniquet), first aid, and the use of an automated external defibrillator.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 5.85%
Nursing Practice 2.7%
Life Support 2.17%
See More Skills

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 an OR Nurse's salary.

  • Staff Development: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Telecommunications: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Staff Development $96,792
9%
Risk Management $94,128
6%
Telecommunications $93,240
5%
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OR Nurse Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

OR Nurse salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $94,251. While startup companies pay approximate $80,264.

OR Nurse Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $80,264
Growth Stage 51~500 $84,748
Established 501~5000 $91,148
Enterprise 5000+ $94,251

OR Nurse Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For OR 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, OR Nurse positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view OR Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an OR Nurse

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$106,560$51.020%

How Education impacts an OR Nurse's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many OR Nurses enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an OR Nurse with a Associate's Degree is between $83,234 and $88,210).

OR Nurse Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for OR Nurse
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 1.1%
Associates 40.1%
Bachelors 53.0%
Masters 5.2%
Doctorate 0.4%
View as Graph

OR Nurse Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an OR 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
$81,130
Average $88,800/year
$99,080
$6,761
Average $7,400/month
$8,257
$1,560
Average $1,708/week
$1,905
$39
Average $43/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $99,080 $8,257 $1,905 $48
Average $88,800 $7,400 $1,708 $43
25th Percentile $81,130 $6,761 $1,560 $39

OR Nurse Salary Growth & Career Path

OR Nurse

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an OR 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 $162,000 82%
Director Intensive Care Unit Operations $154,200 74%
Entry Registered Nurse - Staff $73,600 -17%
Organ Transplant Coordinator RN $110,200 24%

Most common benefits for OR Nurse

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

Common company salaries for OR Nurse

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

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FAQ about OR Nurse

1. What industry pays the highest salary for OR Nurse?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for OR Nurse roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Which state pays the most?

The salary data for OR Nurses indicates a minimum salary of $79,140, a mid-range salary of $88,210, and a maximum salary of $97,510. While Washington D.C. offers the highest annual pay at $100,400, OR Nurses can expect competitive salaries within this range, reflecting the demand and expertise required in the field.

3. Is 5000 dollars a month good in the USA?

With $5,000 per month, you can manage a comfortable lifestyle in many areas of the USA. However, considering the salary range for an OR Nurse, which is between $79,140 and $97,510 annually, this monthly amount may be below the average income for this profession. Careful budgeting is essential to ensure financial stability.

4. Is $100,000 a good salary in usa?

Based on the salary data for OR Nurses, with a minimum salary of $79,140, a mid-range salary of $88,210, and a maximum of $97,510, a $100,000 salary is above the typical earnings for this profession. While it falls within the middle-class range nationally, it is considered a good salary, especially for OR Nurses, reflecting higher compensation in this field.

5. What is the average salary in USA?

According to the latest data, the average salary for an OR Nurse in the USA ranges from $79,140 to $97,510 annually, with a mid-salary of $88,210. This reflects the specialized nature of the role and the demand for skilled professionals in the healthcare sector.

6. How much does an American make per hour?

As of January 2025, the average hourly pay for an OR Nurse in the United States ranges from approximately $38.00 to $46.90, based on a minimum salary of $79,140, a mid-salary of $88,210, and a maximum salary of $97,510. This reflects a competitive wage in the healthcare sector, with variations depending on experience and location.

7. Which country pays nurses most?

Nurses in Switzerland are among the highest-paid in the world, earning an average annual salary of 107,487 USD. In comparison, OR nurses in the U.S. have a salary range with a minimum of 79,140 USD, a mid-range of 88,210 USD, and a maximum of 97,510 USD, reflecting the significant earning potential in specialized nursing roles.

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.

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