Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room Salary in the United States

How much does a Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room in the United States is $88,790 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.

However, a Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $108,468
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $81,090 to $99,090
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $74,080

Key Factors That Influence Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room Salaries

A Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room'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 Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room'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): $86,262
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $86,491
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $89,559
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $93,863
  • Expert (over 8 years): $94,171
Levels Salary
Entry Level Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room$86,262
Intermediate Level Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room$86,491
Senior Level Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room$89,559
Specialist Level Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room$93,863
Expert Level Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room$94,171

Top Paying Cities for Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Rooms

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: $111,990
  • San Francisco: $110,790
  • Oakland: $108,390

What Skills Can Increase a Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room'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%

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 Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room'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 $96,781
9%
Risk Management $94,117
6%
Telecommunications $93,230
5%

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $94,147. While startup companies pay approximate $80,240.

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $80,240
Growth Stage 51~500 $84,709
Established 501~5000 $91,044
Enterprise 5000+ $94,147

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industry for a Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$106,548$51.020%

How Education impacts a Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Rooms 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 a Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room with a Associate's Degree is between $83,260 and $88,251).

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room
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%

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room'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 October 01, 2026
$81,090
Average $88,790/year
$99,090
$6,758
Average $7,399/month
$8,258
$1,559
Average $1,708/week
$1,906
$39
Average $43/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $99,090 $8,258 $1,906 $48
Average $88,790 $7,399 $1,708 $43
25th Percentile $81,090 $6,758 $1,559 $39

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room, 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.

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Director Mother and Baby Unit $162,000 82%
Director Intensive Care Unit Operations $154,100 74%
Entry Registered Nurse - Staff $73,600 -17%
Organ Transplant Coordinator RN $110,200 24%

Most common benefits for Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room

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

Common company salaries for Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room

Here are companies hiring for Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Do operating room nurses make more money?

Operating room nurses earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $79,190, a mid-range of $88,290, and a maximum of $97,590 annually. This reflects their specialized skills and responsibilities, making their compensation higher than the average nursing salary in the U.S.

3. Is it hard to become an operating room nurse?

Becoming an operating room nurse can be challenging, as it requires an RN license, typically obtained through a 2-year Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN). While a BSN is preferred by many employers, it is not always mandatory. The salary for operating room nurses ranges from $79,190 to $97,590, with a median salary of $88,290, reflecting the specialized skills needed in this role.

4. How long do you have to go to school to be an operating room nurse?

To become an operating room nurse, you need to complete a nursing degree from an accredited institution, which can be either a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Registered Nurses in this specialty can expect salaries ranging from $79,190 to $97,590, with a median salary of $88,290.

5. Is there a shortage of operating room nurses?

Yes, there is a shortage of operating room nurses. Health facilities globally are facing challenges in recruiting and retaining nursing staff, particularly in specialized areas like perioperative nursing. The salary range for Registered Nurses in operating rooms typically falls between $79,190 and $97,590, which reflects the demand for skilled professionals in this field.

6. What nurses work 12-hour shifts?

Working a 12-hour shift is common for many nurses, including Registered Nurses (RNs) in operating rooms, typically from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. These longer shifts provide greater continuity of care for patients. RNs in this role can expect salaries ranging from $79,190 to $97,590, with a median salary of $88,290, making it a financially rewarding option.

7. Do operating room nurses work 12 hour shifts?

Yes, operating room nurses often work 12-hour shifts. This schedule allows for continuity of care during surgeries and can lead to a better work-life balance. The salary for registered nurses in this specialty typically ranges from $79,190 to $97,590, with a median salary of around $88,290, reflecting the demanding nature of the role.

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.)

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