As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Operating Room Director in the United States is $173,413 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $83.
However, an Operating Room Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Operating Room Director'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 an Operating Room Director'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 Operating Room Director | $163,242 |
| Intermediate Level Operating Room Director | $164,556 |
| Senior Level Operating Room Director | $166,308 |
| Specialist Level Operating Room Director | $168,498 |
| Expert Level Operating Room Director | $170,689 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Room Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 14.62% |
| Patient Interaction | 5.07% |
| Pediatric | 0.99% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Ambulatory Surgery
|
$202,893 |
17%
|
|
Patient Interaction
|
$195,957 |
13%
|
|
Program Enhancements
|
$194,223 |
12%
|
|
Fiscal Management
|
$194,223 |
12%
|
|
Employee Engagement
|
$190,754 |
10%
|
|
Service Quality
|
$187,286 |
8%
|
For Operating Room Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Operating Room Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Operating Room Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $208,096 | $100.0 | 20% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Operating Room Directors enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA 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 Room Director with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $154,298 and $165,205).
Operating Room Director Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.9% |
| High School | 1.9% |
| Associates | 17.0% |
| Bachelors | 32.1% |
| Masters | 49.1% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how an Operating Room Director'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 August 01, 2026Salaries for an Operating Room Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $158,551 in 2023 to around $154,436 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Operating Room Director salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $158,551 |
| 2024 | $156,315 |
| 2025 | $154,436 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Operating Room Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
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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