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:
Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room Salaries by Percentile
| 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 |
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.
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:
| 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 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 5.85% |
| Nursing Practice | 2.7% |
| Life Support | 2.17% |
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.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Staff Development | $96,781 | |
| Risk Management | $94,117 | |
| Telecommunications | $93,230 |
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.
| 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 |
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).
| 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% |
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.
| 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 |
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.
| 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% |
Salaries for a Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $209,336 in 2023 to around $203,607 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $209,336 |
| 2024 | $211,584 |
| 2025 | $203,607 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers: