How Much Do Perioperative (OR) Nurses Make?
Perioperative nurses are registered nurses, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median registered-nurse wage of $93,600 as of May 2024 (lowest 10% under $66,030; top 10% over $135,320). OR nursing often pays above the RN base in practice because of call pay, call-back hours, and shift differentials that are built into surgical staffing — and experience, region, facility type, and certification such as the CNOR all move the number further.
2,200+
questions in the app
10+ yrs
exam-prep publishing
Free
on iOS & Android
Built to help you pass faster — by exam-prep publishers with 10+ years' experience
- 💡 Key Takeaways — the one transferable rule per question
- 🔍 Hint highlights — the decisive cue phrases in each stem
- 📖 Full rationales — why every option is right or wrong
Every CNOR question is written to the current exam outline for quick learning and a clear pass strategy.
Written and reviewed by the LexPort exam-prep team, led by our Founder & Exam-Prep Lead. LexPort builds certification practice questions — this is exam-preparation material, not medical advice. Last reviewed September 2026.
Get the full CNOR question bank — free
2,200+ practice questions with rationales on iOS
📄 Free: 15 high-yield CNOR questions + cheat sheet (PDF)
Enter your email and we'll send the printable PDF — rationales and key takeaways included.
- How much does a perioperative nurse make?
- Start from the registered-nurse baseline: the BLS reports a median RN wage of $93,600 as of May 2024, with the lowest 10% under $66,030 and the top 10% above $135,320. Perioperative nurses sit inside that range, and OR-specific extras — on-call pay, call-back time, and shift differentials — commonly push real take-home above the posted base rate.
- Do OR nurses earn more than floor nurses?
- Often in practice, though not always on the posted base rate. The OR difference comes from structure: surgical teams carry call responsibilities, and call-back hours are typically paid at premium rates. A perioperative nurse who takes regular call can out-earn a floor nurse with the same base salary. Compare total compensation, not just the hourly rate.
- Does CNOR certification increase your salary?
- It depends on the employer, and that is the honest answer. Many hospitals recognize the CNOR in clinical-ladder steps, certification differentials, or bonuses; others offer recognition without direct pay. Ask HR how certification is rewarded at your facility. Even without a direct differential, the CNOR strengthens hiring and promotion cases in perioperative services.
- What factors move perioperative pay the most?
- Region and setting lead: state wage levels differ widely, and large surgical centers, trauma centers, and academic hospitals generally pay more than small facilities. After that: years in the OR, call burden (more call, more premium hours), specialty lines like cardiac or neuro, and charge or coordinator responsibilities.
- How can an OR nurse increase their earnings?
- The reliable levers: earn the CNOR (it anchors ladder advancement in perioperative services), take call strategically, move toward high-acuity service lines, and step into charge or coordinator roles. Longer term, the RN First Assistant (RNFA/CRNFA) path expands scope in the OR and typically commands higher compensation.
- Is demand for perioperative nurses strong?
- Yes — surgical volume keeps rising and experienced OR nurses are consistently hard to replace, which is why many facilities offer sign-on incentives and paid CNOR support. For current wage tables by state and setting, the BLS registered-nurse data is the closest official source.
Practice the full CNOR bank in the app
You've seen a sample. Get the complete experience — a timed exam simulator, every rationale, and progress tracking that shows exactly what to study next.
This page shows a few free samples. The app has all 2,200+ CNOR questions, a timed mock exam, and offline study.
- ✓ 2,200+ real CNOR questions
- ✓ Timed exam simulator — real conditions
- ✓ Every answer explained + key takeaway
- ✓ Tracks your weak topics
- ✓ Works offline · Free to start
Get the full CNOR question bank — free
2,200+ practice questions with rationales on iOS
Sample exam question…