Is being an Operating Room nurse (OR RN) in 2026 worth it? Some OR nurses made over $140,000 in 2025, and some didn’t even crack $90,000. Why? Because this isn’t about luck; it is about strategy, location, and choosing how to work. In this blog, we will discuss the OR RN salary (staff and travel nurses) made in 2025 and tips on how to make more with platforms like SkillGigs in 2026.
You know? With SkillGigs, you can get high-paying travel nursing jobs, and not only that, but SkillGigs is offering a $500 bonus when you sign your first travel nursing contract. Sign up now and explore high-paying travel nursing assignments at your favorite locations.
Operating room nurses and their salaries in 2025: Staff OR nurses and Travel OR nurses
Operating room nurses (perioperative room nurses) are highly skilled nurses who work in the most intense healthcare environments. OR RNs assist surgeons before, during, and after surgery, ensuring everything runs smoothly. But are operating room nurses making enough? Let’s dive deep into the salary report of OR nurses in 2025 to understand what OR nurses were making and whether it is the best financial decision in 2026.
The average salary of OR nurses is $63.78/hour. In January, it started at $66.66/hour, and in December, it was $63.46/hour. To know more about the operating room nurse salary, read our blog (Money Story 2025-2026)
Staff OR RN salary in 2025:
The staff nurses are the permanent employees of the hospitals who work either full-time or part-time. The average salary of staff nurses in the US in 2025 was $87,000–$115,000 per year or $40 to $60 / hour. Many factors affect the pay of OR nurses, such as location, experience, hospital facilities, etc.
Travel OR RN (Operating room nurse) salary in 2025:
Travel nurses’ hourly pay is more than that of staff nurses because of the nature of their job, as they work on long-term and short-term assignments. The average salary of travel OR nurses in 2025 was $2,500–$4,500/week, especially in high-demand areas. Many factors also affect the travel nurse’s salary, such as bonuses, stipends, location, etc.
Salary outlook of OR nurses (Operating Room Nurses) in 2026
The OR staff nurses’ salaries in 2026 are expected to remain steady. We might see a slight increase in the salary due to high surgical volumes. The salary of OR staff nurses will be high in high-cost living areas such as California and New York.
The overall salary of travel OR nurses is still strong, with continued competitive pay and healthcare facilities struggling with staff shortages. Operating room nurses are in high demand in 2026, but nurses must strategically plan their contracts to earn more with travel nursing. If you are a travel nurse and want high-paying contracts with benefits, bonuses, and other incentives, then join SkillGigs now!
Factors that affect travel nurse salaries in 2026
Whether you are a staff nurse or a travel nurse, many factors affect nurses’ salaries across the US. The salary of OR nurses in one state is different from that in another. It is important that if you want to make more money in 2026, you have to look for the following factors and plan strategically.
- Location: The hourly rate of OR nurses is different at different locations. States with a high cost of living, such as California and New York, will pay more than low-cost living areas. Hospitals are willing to pay a higher hourly rate to travel nurses when there is a shortage of staff to provide effective patient care.
- Experience: Another important factor that affects OR nurses’ and travel nurses’ salaries is experience. Experience and additional certifications can boost your pay and also increase your chances to get high paying jobs and contracts. To become a travel nurse, you need at least two years of experience.
- Health care facilities: Large hospitals are willing to pay more to OR nurses and travel nurses than smaller clinics.
- Agencies and Contract types: Agencies and contract types play an important role in the overall salary of an OR travel nurse. If you are a travel OR nurse and want to make more money, join SkillGigs, where you can find high-paying travel nursing contracts.
Tips to maximize OR nursing salaries in 2026
- Get additional certifications such as CNOR, ICU/Advanced certifications, etc.
- If you are a travel nurse, then choose assignments strategically. Target high-paying states or seasonal peaks. Join SkillGigs to get a $500 bonus!
- Always negotiate your pay, housing stipends, bonuses, etc. With SkillGigs, you can bid on jobs you want to get what you really deserve and more.
Is travel nursing a good financial decision for 2026?
Here are some pros and cons to consider before becoming a travel OR nurse in 2026.
- Hourly pay for travel OR RNs is higher than that of a staff nurse.
- Travel nurses also get tax-free stipends that can boost their pay.
- Travel nurses are not stuck in one place, but they have the freedom and flexibility to explore new cities and take different assignments that help them grow personally and professionally.
- If you are a travel nurse, it is important to strategically plan your contracts; some contracts may have lower base pay but higher stipends and benefits. Understanding the taxable and non-taxable parts of the contract is important.
- Always look for the states with high-paying contracts and negotiate your pay.
Conclusion
To answer the question, is becoming an operating room nurse in 2026 worth it? Yes, absolutely if you approach your career strategically. In 2026, the staff nurse pay is stable and competitive, but for travel OR nurses, they have the highest earning potential. By joining platforms like SkillGigs, nurses can get high-paying contracts and can earn more than they would in other agencies. SkillGigs is your next smart financial move in 2026 because once you sign your contract, you can get a $500 bonus, benefits, and so much more! Download our app now and start travel nursing with us.
