Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room Salary in the United States

How much does a Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room in the United States is $88,896 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $108,469
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $81,215 to $99,141
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $74,222
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View as table View as graph 25% $81,215 10% $74,222 90% $108,469 75% $99,141 $88,896 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $99,141 $8,262 $1,907 $48
Average $88,896 $7,408 $1,710 $43
25th Percentile $81,215 $6,768 $1,562 $39
Check out Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room Job Openings in the United States
RN First Assist

Kettering Health - Trotwood, OH

RN First Assist

Kettering Health - Centerville, OH

RN Unit

Kettering Health - Centerville, OH

Travel Operating Room Registered Nurse Circulator

Hunter Recruiting - Akron, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room Salaries

A Staff 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 Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Staff 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): $86,374
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $86,603
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $89,661
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $93,942
  • Expert (over 8 years): $94,248
Levels Salary
Entry Level Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room$86,374
Intermediate Level Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room$86,603
Senior Level Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room$89,661
Specialist Level Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room$93,942
Expert Level Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room$94,248
$86,374 0 yr
$86,603 < 2 yrs
$89,661 2-4 yrs
$93,942 5-8 yrs
$94,248 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Staff 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: $112,125
  • San Francisco: $110,897
  • Oakland: $108,560

What Skills Can Increase a Staff 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.
See More Skills
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 Staff 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
$96,897
9%
Risk Management
$94,230
6%
Telecommunications
$93,341
5%
Family Education
$92,452
4%
Partnering
$92,452
4%
Critical Care
$91,563
3%
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How Education impacts a Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Staff 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 Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room with a Associate's Degree is between $83,595 and $88,593).

Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Staff 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%
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Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Staff 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 May 01, 2026

Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Staff 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.

Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Maternity Services Director $162,012 82%
Head of Intensive Care Unit $154,151 73%
Staff Nurse - RN I $73,624 -17%
Transplant Nurse Coordinator $110,042 24%

Salary Trends for Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room

Salaries for a Staff 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 Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$209,336
2024
$211,584
2025
$203,607
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $209,336
2024 $211,584
2025 $203,607
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room

Here are companies hiring for Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room

1. Where can a Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room earn the most?

A Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room is $112,125.

2. What is the highest pay for Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room?

The highest pay for Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room is $108,469.

3. What is the lowest pay for Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room?

The lowest pay for Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room is $74,222.

4. What are the responsibilities of Staff Nurse - RN - Operating Room?

Provides professional nursing care to assigned operating room patients throughout the perioperative period. Collaborates with surgical team to strategize, implement and evaluate an individualized plan of care for each patient. Assists physicians during examinations and surgical procedures, using and monitoring medical equipment as necessary. Evaluates and monitors patients' condition, maintains patients' medical records, and documents patient's progress. Administer medications, including narcotics, as directed. Functions in a scrub and circulating nurse role. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. May require Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR). Requires Registered Nurse (RN). Requires Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.

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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