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OR Perfusionist Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an OR Perfusionist in the United States is $158,890 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $76.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $177,230
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $146,890 to $168,490
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $135,965
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence OR Perfusionist Salaries

An OR Perfusionist'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 Perfusionist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an OR Perfusionist'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): $154,950
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $155,308
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $159,606
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $163,618
  • Expert (over 8 years): $163,905
Levels Salary
Entry Level OR Perfusionist$154,950
Intermediate Level OR Perfusionist$155,308
Senior Level OR Perfusionist$159,606
Specialist Level OR Perfusionist$163,618
Expert Level OR Perfusionist$163,905
View as Graph

How Do OR Perfusionist 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 Perfusionists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $175,990.
  • California: $175,290.
  • Massachusetts: $172,990.

Top Paying Cities for OR Perfusionists

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: $200,490
  • San Francisco: $198,290
  • Oakland: $194,090

What Skills Can Increase an OR Perfusionist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.47% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Life Support (Mentioned in 4.19% 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.
  • Acute Care (Mentioned in 1.85% Job Postings): Acute care is a branch of secondary health care where a patient receives active but short-term treatment for a severe injury or episode of illness, an urgent medical condition, or during recovery from surgery. In medical terms, care for acute health conditions is the opposite from chronic care, or longer term care. Acute care services are generally delivered by teams of health care professionals from a range of medical and surgical specialties. Acute care may require a stay in a hospital emergency department, ambulatory surgery center, urgent care centre or other short-term stay facility, along with the assistance of diagnostic services, surgery, or follow-up outpatient care in the community. Hospital-based acute inpatient care typically has the goal of discharging patients as soon as they are deemed healthy and stable. Acute care settings include emergency department, intensive care, coronary care, cardiology, neonatal intensive care, and many general areas where the patient could become acutely unwell and require stabilization and transfer to another higher dependency unit for further treatment.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.47%
Life Support 4.19%
Acute Care 1.85%
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 Perfusionist's salary.

  • Cardiopulmonary Perfusion: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Cardiopulmonary Perfusion $181,135
14%
Commitment $179,546
13%
Coordination $174,779
10%
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OR Perfusionist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

OR Perfusionist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $168,644. While startup companies pay approximate $143,616.

OR Perfusionist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $143,616
Growth Stage 51~500 $151,640
Established 501~5000 $163,092
Enterprise 5000+ $168,644

OR Perfusionist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For OR Perfusionist roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, OR Perfusionist positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view OR Perfusionist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an OR Perfusionist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$190,668$92.020%

How Education impacts an OR Perfusionist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many OR Perfusionists enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Perfusionist with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $148,754 and $157,342).

OR Perfusionist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for OR Perfusionist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 3.3%
Associates 2.7%
Bachelors 48.7%
Masters 38.7%
Doctorate 5.3%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an OR Perfusionist'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
$146,890
Average $158,890/year
$168,490
$12,241
Average $13,241/month
$14,041
$2,825
Average $3,056/week
$3,240
$71
Average $76/hour
$81
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $168,490 $14,041 $3,240 $81
Average $158,890 $13,241 $3,056 $76
25th Percentile $146,890 $12,241 $2,825 $71

Most common benefits for OR Perfusionist

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

Common company salaries for OR Perfusionist

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

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FAQ about OR Perfusionist

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

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for OR Perfusionist roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Which state pays the most?

The salary data for OR Perfusionists indicates a minimum salary of $154,390, a mid-range salary of $169,790, and a maximum salary of $184,890. This suggests that the compensation for this role is significantly higher than the median annual pay levels reported for states like Washington D.C. and Massachusetts.

3. What is the average salary in USA?

According to the latest data, the average salary for an OR Perfusionist in the USA is approximately $169,790 per year. Salaries range from a minimum of $154,390 to a maximum of $184,890, reflecting the specialized skills and responsibilities associated with this profession.

4. What is a living salary in the US?

An analysis of the living wage in the United States, reflecting 2023 compensation, indicates that a living salary varies by location and individual circumstances. For OR Perfusionists, salaries range from $154,390 to $184,890, with a mid-salary of $169,790, which can contribute significantly to meeting living expenses across different regions.

5. What is the highest paying job?

One of the highest paying jobs is an OR Perfusionist, with a salary range from $154,390 to $184,890. The average salary is approximately $169,790, making it a lucrative career choice in the medical field. Other high-paying jobs include Obstetricians, Psychiatrists, and Anesthesiologists, but the earnings for perfusionists are notably competitive.

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

With a monthly income of $5,000, you may find it challenging to maintain a comfortable lifestyle, especially considering the average salary for an OR Perfusionist ranges from approximately $12,866 to $15,407 per month. While it can cover basic expenses in some areas, careful budgeting is essential to ensure financial stability and comfort.

7. Is perfusionist a stressful job?

Perfusionists often work in high-pressure environments, which can lead to stress. They are responsible for managing life-support systems during surgeries, requiring precision and quick decision-making. Despite the stress, the role is rewarding, with salaries ranging from $154,390 to $184,890, reflecting the expertise and responsibility involved in the 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.

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