Operating Theatre Nurse Salary in the United States

How much does an Operating Theatre Nurse make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Operating Theatre Nurse in the United States is $87,423 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $106,646
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $79,986 to $97,485
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,215
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View as table View as graph 25% $79,986 10% $73,215 90% $106,646 75% $97,485 $87,423 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Operating Theatre Nurse Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $97,485 $8,124 $1,875 $47
Average $87,423 $7,285 $1,681 $42
25th Percentile $79,986 $6,666 $1,538 $38
Check out Operating Theatre Nurse Job Openings in the United States
Registered Nurse Operating Room

Community Hospital - Fairfax, MO - FAIRFAX, MO

Travel OR RN

Focus Staff - CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

Travel OR RN

Focus Staff - ROCHESTER, NY

Travel OR RN

Focus Staff - DES MOINES, IA

Search More Operating Theatre Nurse Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Operating Theatre Nurse Salaries

An Operating Theatre Nurse'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 Operating Theatre Nurse Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Operating Theatre Nurse'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): $84,268
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $84,487
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $87,423
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $91,566
  • Expert (over 8 years): $91,862
Levels Salary
Entry Level Operating Theatre Nurse$84,268
Intermediate Level Operating Theatre Nurse$84,487
Senior Level Operating Theatre Nurse$87,423
Specialist Level Operating Theatre Nurse$91,566
Expert Level Operating Theatre Nurse$91,862
$84,268 0 yr
$84,487 < 2 yrs
$87,423 2-4 yrs
$91,566 5-8 yrs
$91,862 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Operating Theatre Nurse 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 Operating Theatre Nurses. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $96,795.
  • California: $96,428.
  • Massachusetts: $95,142.

Top Paying Cities for Operating Theatre Nurses

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: $110,267
  • San Francisco: $109,183
  • Oakland: $106,761

What Skills Can Increase an Operating Theatre Nurse'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 Theatre Nurse'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
$95,291
9%
Risk Management
$92,668
6%
Telecommunications
$91,794
5%
Family Education
$90,920
4%
Partnering
$90,920
4%
Critical Care
$90,046
3%
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How Education impacts an Operating Theatre Nurse's Salary?

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

Operating Theatre Nurse Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Operating Theatre Nurse
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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Operating Theatre Nurse Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Operating Theatre Nurse'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Operating Theatre Nurse

Salaries for an Operating Theatre Nurse can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $203,893 in 2023 to around $198,313 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Operating Theatre Nurse salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Operating Theatre Nurse Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$203,893
2024
$206,083
2025
$198,313
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $203,893
2024 $206,083
2025 $198,313
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Operating Theatre Nurse

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

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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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