Operating Department Practitioner Salary in the United States

How much does an Operating Department Practitioner make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for an Operating Department Practitioner in the United States is $88,913 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.

However, an Operating Department Practitioner's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $108,495
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $81,233 to $99,163
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $74,241
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View as table View as graph 25% $81,233 10% $74,241 90% $108,495 75% $99,163 $88,913 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Operating Department Practitioner Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $99,163 $8,264 $1,907 $48
Average $88,913 $7,409 $1,710 $43
25th Percentile $81,233 $6,769 $1,562 $39
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Key Factors That Influence Operating Department Practitioner Salaries

An Operating Department Practitioner'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Operating Department Practitioner Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Operating Department Practitioner'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): $86,411
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $86,640
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $89,698
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $93,982
  • Expert (over 8 years): $94,287
Levels Salary
Entry Level Operating Department Practitioner$86,411
Intermediate Level Operating Department Practitioner$86,640
Senior Level Operating Department Practitioner$89,698
Specialist Level Operating Department Practitioner$93,982
Expert Level Operating Department Practitioner$94,287
$86,411 0 yr
$86,640 < 2 yrs
$89,698 2-4 yrs
$93,982 5-8 yrs
$94,287 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Operating Department Practitioners

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: $112,143
  • San Francisco: $110,913
  • Oakland: $108,573

What Skills Can Increase an Operating Department Practitioner'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 an Operating Department Practitioner'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
$96,915
9%
Risk Management
$94,248
6%
Telecommunications
$93,359
5%
Family Education
$92,470
4%
Partnering
$92,470
4%
Critical Care
$91,580
3%
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Operating Department Practitioner Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Operating Department Practitioner'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

Operating Department Practitioner Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Operating Department Practitioner, 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.

Operating Department Practitioner Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Director Mother and Baby Unit $162,100 82%
Director Intensive Care Unit Operations $154,200 73%
Entry Registered Nurse - Staff $73,700 -17%
Organ Transplant Coordinator RN $110,100 24%

Salary Trends for Operating Department Practitioner

Salaries for an Operating Department Practitioner 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 Operating Department Practitioner salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Operating Department Practitioner 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
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Most common benefits for Operating Department Practitioner

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Operating Department Practitioner

Here are companies hiring for Operating Department Practitioner and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Operating Department Practitioner Job

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

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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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