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Operating Room Travel Nurse Jobs Across the U.S.

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Demand Grows for Skilled Operating Room Travel Nurses

Surgical demand is surging nationwide, making OR travel nurse jobs critical in today’s healthcare landscape. Each year, U.S. hospitals perform more than 51 million inpatient surgeries (CDC data), and the number is rising due to aging populations and backlogged elective procedures. U.S. operating rooms continue to face staffing challenges, with travel Operating Room nurse jobs helping hospitals bridge gaps during peak surgical periods. Many OR travel nurse contracts support Level I and II trauma centers, which collectively handle thousands of surgical cases annually. With a projected 9% job growth for RNs through 2030 (BLS), Operating Room travel nurse jobs offer career growth, specialization, and access to cutting-edge surgical tech.

Most Operating Room RN travel jobs require 2+ years of experience and active certifications like BLS and ACLS. Some contracts will also require the CNOR. The pay for Operating Room nurse travel jobs is typically above average, reflecting the specialty's technical demands — with current OR travel nurse openings ranging from $1,500 - $3,140. In fact, the average OR nurse's salary is 25% higher than that of a general registered nurse, according to CSUN.

Smiling travel nurse checking her schedule and pay information

FAQs – Operating Room Travel Nurse Jobs

What are the most common clinical settings for OR travel nurse jobs?
Operating Room travel nurses are most often placed in acute care hospitals and surgical centers, including trauma-designated hospitals and academic medical centers. These facilities typically have multi-suite ORs equipped for high-volume cases like total joints, open-heart, and robotic surgeries, offering fast-paced, highly collaborative environments.
What are the highest-paying states for OR travel nurse jobs?

Based on current openings, the highest-paying states are:

Where is the highest demand for Operating Room travel nurse jobs?

As of today, demand is highest in:

What certifications are required for Operating Room travel nurse jobs?

Most travel OR positions require:

  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
  • CNOR (preferred or required for many roles)
  • Additional certifications may be needed for pediatric or other sub-specialty OR settings.

How much do OR travel nurse jobs typically pay?
Based on our current openings, the average pay for Operating Room travel nurse jobs is $2,307/week, with rates ranging from $1,500 to $3,140/week, depending on location and shift type.