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There’s no separate federal “OR nurse” wage line, but perioperative nursing is skilled, in-demand
work, and the CNOR signals expertise that employers value.
What do perioperative nurses earn?
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for registered nurses was
$93,600 in May 2024. Operating-room nurses fall under this category; pay varies with
setting (hospital OR, ambulatory surgery center), call requirements, experience, and region — and
OR call pay can add meaningfully to the base.
Does the CNOR raise your pay?
Often directly. Many hospitals pay a certification differential, and the CNOR is frequently listed as
preferred or required for charge, specialty, and educator roles in the OR — so it can lift both your
earnings and your advancement.
Is the CNOR worth it?
For committed perioperative nurses, yes. It validates expertise in a high-acuity specialty where
employers reward proven competence with differentials and senior roles.
Unlock 2,200+ CNOR practice questions across 11 full-length simulators — $19.99 lifetime →
Frequently asked questions
How much do operating-room nurses make?
There’s no separate federal OR-nurse figure, but the BLS median for registered nurses was $93,600 in May 2024. OR nurse pay varies by setting, call requirements, experience, and region, and call pay can add to the base.
Does the CNOR increase your salary?
Often directly — many hospitals pay a certification differential, and the CNOR is frequently preferred or required for charge, specialty, and educator roles in the OR.
Is the CNOR worth it?
For committed perioperative nurses, yes — it validates specialty expertise that employers reward with pay differentials and advancement into senior OR roles.
Sources & references
The exam facts on this page are drawn from official certifying-body materials, reviewed 2026-06-18 by the DrCertifications exam-prep team (10+ years in exam preparation and publishing).