Oncology nurses earn a modest specialty premium above the general RN baseline. The national median for registered nurses (BLS SOC 29-1141, May 2025 OEWS) is $97,550 per year / $46.90 per hour, and the national mean is $101,420 / $48.76 per hour – two different figures that salary articles routinely swap. The best available oncology-specific measurement, drawn from live job listings on Vivian Health, puts oncology RN pay about 4% above the all-nursing average, not the 10–15% commonly asserted. OCN certification, night shift differentials, and on-call obligations stack additional income on top of that base.
Be skeptical of any oncology-specific national salary figure, including the ones here. BLS does not break out oncology as an occupation, and neither ONS nor ONCC publishes a national oncology RN compensation survey. What exists is job-board aggregate data, which measures advertised rates rather than earned wages and moves week to week. The figures on this page are labelled with their source and vintage so you can judge them accordingly.
This guide breaks down oncology nurse pay by setting, experience, certification, and state, and explains what travel oncology nursing pays relative to permanent staff roles.
For the full career pathway – education, certifications, residency programs, and career ladder – see how to become an oncology nurse.
At-a-glance salary summary
| Experience level | Estimated annual salary | Estimated hourly |
|---|---|---|
| New grad oncology RN (0–2 yrs) | $70,000–$90,000 | $33–$43 |
| Experienced oncology RN (2–5 yrs) | $85,000–$105,000 | $41–$50 |
| Senior / OCN-certified (5–10 yrs) | $95,000–$120,000 | $46–$58 |
| Charge nurse / senior clinician (10+ yrs) | $105,000–$130,000 | $50–$63 |
| Travel oncology RN (contract) | $90,000–$120,000 annualized (3–4 contracts/yr) | $55–$72 (blended) |
Salary ranges reflect pre-differential base pay. Night shift, weekend, on-call, and certification differentials add meaningfully on top.
National average salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish a separate occupational category for oncology nurses – all RNs are classified under SOC 29-1141 (Registered Nurses). National median: $97,550 per year / $46.90 per hour. National mean: $101,420 / $48.76 per hour (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Oncology-specific data from Vivian Health, drawn from active job listings and updated daily, puts the average oncology nurse hourly rate at $48.92, about 4% above the all-nursing platform average of $47.18/hr (figures as of 29 July 2026). Annualized at 2,080 hours, that is roughly $101,700 per year for advertised staff positions. Because Vivian recalculates from live listings, this figure drifts by a dollar or two month to month – check the current number rather than quoting this one a year from now.
The specialty premium is real but small, in the low single digits rather than the 10–15% many salary pages claim. Structural factors behind it: chemotherapy administration liability, ONS/ONCC credentialing requirements, patient acuity in BMT and inpatient settings, and emotional demands that contribute to turnover and vacancy pressure. For context on the workforce backdrop, the 2026 NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report – covering 527 hospitals across 40 states and 262,405 RNs – put national staff RN turnover at 17.6%, the RN vacancy rate at 8.6%, and first-year turnover at 22.7%, with the average cost of replacing one bedside RN at $60,090.
For the general RN baseline by geography, see RN salary.
Salary by setting
Where you work within oncology shapes your salary more than almost any other factor. BMT (bone marrow transplant) and inpatient oncology at academic cancer centers sit at the top; outpatient clinics and physician offices sit at the bottom.
| Setting | Estimated annual salary range | Key pay drivers |
|---|---|---|
| NCI-designated cancer center, academic (inpatient BMT) | $115,000–$145,000+ | ICU-adjacent acuity, union contracts at many centers, TCTCN/OCN differentials, charge nurse premiums |
| NCI-designated cancer center, outpatient infusion | $100,000–$125,000 | Academic pay scales, Chemo-Immunotherapy Certificate differentials, Magnet hospital base |
| Community hospital inpatient oncology unit | $88,000–$112,000 | Varies widely by region; night and weekend differentials compound on lower base |
| Freestanding outpatient infusion center (hospital-affiliated) | $85,000–$108,000 | No inpatient differential; regular daytime hours; lower intensity |
| Home infusion / home health oncology | $80,000–$100,000 | Mileage reimbursement partially offsets lower base; no inpatient differential; autonomous practice |
| Radiation oncology clinic | $78,000–$98,000 | Regular hours, lower acuity; often Monday–Friday outpatient |
| Clinical trials / research nurse | $90,000–$115,000 | Grant-funded positions; academic cancer center or pharma sponsor; no overnight shifts; variable by sponsoring institution |
| Physician office / community oncology practice | $70,000–$90,000 | Lowest acuity of all settings; regular weekday hours; limited differential income |
Inpatient BMT at an NCI-designated center commands the highest pay within oncology nursing. BMT nurses work at ICU-adjacent acuity – conditioning regimen administration, engraftment monitoring, graft-versus-host disease management – and carry the same clinical complexity as critical care RNs, which is reflected in compensation.
Salary by certification
OCN certification is the credential most often attached to pay differentiation within oncology nursing, and many clinical ladder systems at NCI-designated centers and large health systems recognize it. One caveat before the table: no professional body publishes measured certification differential data. ONCC certifies nurses; it does not survey what employers pay them. The dollar figures below are commonly reported ranges from clinical ladder documentation and job postings, not survey findings, so verify the differential in your own employer’s ladder policy before building a plan around it.
OCN eligibility, from ONCC’s own criteria: a current, active, unencumbered RN license in the US, its territories, or Canada; a minimum of two years of experience as an RN; 2,000 hours of adult oncology nursing practice within the four years (48 months) prior to application; and 10 contact hours of oncology continuing education (or an academic oncology elective) within the three years prior to application. Qualifying practice can be clinical, administrative, educational, research, or consultative – it does not have to be bedside. Current test fees are $300 for ONS/APHON members and $420 for non-members, per ONCC’s 2026 Test Registration Manual. ONCC charges a single flat rate in each tier – there is no age-based or seniority discount. Two optional add-ons carry their own charges: $75 for testing outside the US, its territories, or Canada, and $100 for the DoubleTake retake option, which must be purchased at the time of the initial application rather than after a failed attempt.
| Certification | Who holds it | Typical pay impact |
|---|---|---|
| OCN® (ONCC) | Staff RNs in adult oncology | $2–5 / hr differential on many clinical ladders; $3,600–$9,000 / yr at full-time hours; required for senior clinician and charge nurse roles at many centers |
| CBCN® (ONCC) | RNs in breast cancer specialty | Similar differential to OCN where recognized; valued at academic breast centers and cancer program COEs |
| TCTCN™ (ONCC) | BMT / cellular therapy RNs | $2–4 / hr differential at transplant centers; often paired with OCN; highest-impact setting for certification premium |
| ONS/ONCC Chemo-Immunotherapy Certificate | All chemo-administering RNs | Required rather than elective at most infusion centers; not typically a separate pay differential but required for eligibility to work in the role |
| CPHON® (ONCC/APHON) | Pediatric hem/onc RNs | Comparable to OCN differential in pediatric oncology settings |
OCN certification typically adds $3,600–$9,000 per year for full-time oncology nurses on standard clinical ladders. That range assumes roughly 1,800 paid hours a year, which is what three 12-hour shifts a week comes to over 50 weeks. A 40-hour schedule runs 2,080 hours and produces a larger differential on the same rate. Check which basis your employer’s ladder uses, because the same $2–5/hr differential is worth about $800 more a year at 2,080 hours.
Stacking differentials compounds the effect. An OCN-certified night shift oncology RN earning both the certification differential ($2–5/hr) and a night differential ($3–6/hr) is adding $5–$11/hr, which comes to roughly $9,000–$20,000 annually above the base day-shift rate at 1,800 hours, or about $10,400–$22,900 at 2,080. The spread is wide because the low end assumes the minimum of both differentials and the high end assumes the maximum of both.
Salary by experience
| Experience band | Estimated annual salary | Estimated hourly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New grad (0–2 yrs) | $70,000–$90,000 | $33–$43 | Orientation period; building toward ONS Chemo-Immunotherapy Certificate eligibility |
| Early career (2–5 yrs) | $85,000–$105,000 | $41–$50 | OCN eligibility reached (2,000 hrs); many pursue certification in year 3–4 |
| Mid-career (5–10 yrs) | $95,000–$120,000 | $46–$58 | OCN certified; step increases; eligible for charge nurse roles |
| Senior (10–15 yrs) | $105,000–$130,000 | $50–$63 | Charge nurse or senior clinician; may hold multiple ONCC credentials |
| Late career / expert (15+ yrs) | $115,000–$140,000+ | $55–$67+ | Top clinical ladder rungs; educator, manager, or advanced practice transition common |
Travel oncology nurse salary
Travel oncology nurses earn more than permanent staff on a gross weekly basis. Vivian Health data as of 29 July 2026, drawn from 4,475 active nursing listings in the preceding seven days, puts the average travel oncology nurse rate at $2,318 per week – about 6% above the all-nursing travel average of $2,183/week on the same platform.
A 13-week contract at $2,318/week generates roughly $30,100 in gross earnings. Working three to four contracts per year puts annualized gross income at $90,000–$120,000 before accounting for gaps between assignments, which is where travel income most often falls short of the headline arithmetic.
| Market / state | Average weekly rate |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $2,688 |
| New York | $2,647 |
| California | $2,629 |
| Hawaii | $2,579 |
| Massachusetts | $2,539 |
Vivian Health travel oncology nurse data, 29 July 2026. Weekly rates are gross compensation including tax-free stipends where applicable. This table is a live-listing snapshot and changes weekly – the state ordering in particular is unstable, so use it to understand the spread between markets rather than as a fixed ranking.
Understanding travel oncology pay packages: The quoted weekly rate blends taxable base pay (typically $18–25/hr for W-2 positions) with non-taxable housing and meal stipends. The taxable base matters for benefits calculations, retirement contributions, and income verification for mortgages. Nurses who travel under their own housing arrangements may qualify for higher stipend income. For the full mechanics of travel nursing pay, see travel nurse salary.
Travel oncology nurses commonly need the ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certificate before placement at oncology-specific infusion and inpatient assignments. Some facilities will also accept employer-specific competency documentation. Confirm with your staffing agency before assignment.
State salary table
BLS does not publish oncology nursing as a separate category. The “RN mean” column below is real, measured data: May 2025 OEWS state mean wages for SOC 29-1141. The “Est. oncology RN” column is not measured – it applies a uniform 10% premium to that base as an illustrative upper bound. Platform data currently shows a national oncology premium nearer 4%, and the premium is unlikely to be identical in every state, so read the estimate column as the optimistic end of a range whose realistic floor is the RN mean itself. Actual pay depends on employer, setting (NCI-designated vs. community), experience, shift, and certification status.
| State | RN mean (BLS 2025) | Est. oncology RN | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $114,870 | $126,357 | $60.75 |
| Arizona | $99,730 | $109,703 | $52.74 |
| California | $150,280 | $165,308 | $79.47 |
| Colorado | $99,370 | $109,307 | $52.55 |
| Connecticut | $105,250 | $115,775 | $55.66 |
| Delaware | $99,460 | $109,406 | $52.60 |
| Florida | $90,650 | $99,715 | $47.94 |
| Georgia | $95,080 | $104,588 | $50.28 |
| Hawaii | $124,340 | $136,774 | $65.76 |
| Idaho | $92,710 | $101,981 | $49.03 |
| Illinois | $94,360 | $103,796 | $49.90 |
| Maine | $91,700 | $100,870 | $48.50 |
| Massachusetts | $117,960 | $129,756 | $62.38 |
| Michigan | $94,300 | $103,730 | $49.87 |
| Minnesota | $103,420 | $113,762 | $54.69 |
| Nevada | $105,710 | $116,281 | $55.90 |
| New Hampshire | $97,900 | $107,690 | $51.77 |
| New Jersey | $110,100 | $121,110 | $58.23 |
| New Mexico | $95,290 | $104,819 | $50.39 |
| New York | $113,440 | $124,784 | $59.99 |
| North Carolina | $90,470 | $99,517 | $47.84 |
| Ohio | $87,730 | $96,503 | $46.40 |
| Oregon | $123,140 | $135,454 | $65.12 |
| Pennsylvania | $94,020 | $103,422 | $49.72 |
| Rhode Island | $101,260 | $111,386 | $53.55 |
| Texas | $95,380 | $104,918 | $50.44 |
| Utah | $90,950 | $100,045 | $48.10 |
| Vermont | $96,650 | $106,315 | $51.11 |
| Washington | $121,540 | $133,694 | $64.28 |
| Washington D.C. | $106,980 | $117,678 | $56.58 |
Methodology: the RN mean column is BLS SOC 29-1141 state mean wages, May 2025 OEWS release – measured data. The oncology column applies a uniform 10% premium as an illustrative upper bound; it is a derived estimate, not a measurement, and no state-level oncology RN wage data exists to validate it. Vivian Health platform data as of July 2026 shows a national oncology premium of about 4%, so treat the estimate column as an optimistic ceiling. Actual pay depends on setting (NCI-designated vs. community), employer, experience, shift, and certification.
California leads nationally, driven by the combination of state-level RN wages (the highest in the country) and major NCI-designated centers including UC San Francisco, UC Davis, UCLA, USC Norris, and City of Hope in the Los Angeles area. Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and Massachusetts round out the top tier.
Career earnings ceiling
| Stage | Role | Approximate annual earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New oncology RN, staff (years 1–2) | $70,000–$90,000 |
| 2 | Experienced oncology RN, OCN-certified (years 3–6) | $90,000–$115,000 |
| 3 | Senior clinician / charge nurse (years 6–10) | $105,000–$130,000 |
| 4 | Infusion center manager / nurse educator (years 8–12) | $110,000–$140,000 |
| 5 | Oncology CNS (AOCNS, MSN required) | $115,000–$150,000 |
| 6 | Oncology NP (AOCNP, MSN/DNP required) | $132,300 all-NP BLS median; oncology NP estimates $139,000–$185,000+ |
| 7 | CRNA (with oncology ICU background, DNP required) | $236,590 BLS median (SOC 29-1151, May 2025) |
The oncology NP (AOCNP) represents the highest direct clinical ceiling within oncology nursing. At NCI-designated academic centers, oncology NPs with prescriptive authority in complex solid tumor management or hematologic malignancy earn at the upper end of that range, particularly in California, Massachusetts, and the Northeast. For the full oncology NP pathway, see how to become an oncology NP.
CRNA is available to oncology nurses with qualifying ICU backgrounds (typically 2–3 years of post-licensure critical care, including BMT and oncology ICU experience). For labs that matter in this path – particularly CBC monitoring and organ-function panels during chemotherapy – the nursing lab values guide is a useful clinical reference.
Frequently asked questions
Does OCN certification increase salary?
For most oncology nurses working in hospital systems with a clinical ladder, yes. OCN certification typically generates a $2–5 per hour differential on the clinical ladder, which adds roughly $3,600–$9,000 per year at about 1,800 paid hours, or $4,200–$10,400 at 2,080 hours. It also unlocks eligibility for charge nurse and senior clinician roles with additional step increases. The dollar value varies by employer – not all clinical ladders formally pay OCN differentials – but OCN consistently correlates with higher earnings and career advancement.
Do oncology nurses get paid more than other nurses?
Slightly. Vivian Health platform data as of July 2026 puts the oncology RN advertised average at about 4% above the all-specialty nursing average ($48.92/hr against $47.18/hr). Against BLS, the RN median (May 2025) is $97,550 and the mean is $101,420, so annualized oncology listings sit close to the all-RN mean rather than well above it. The premium is real but modest, and smaller than in several high-acuity specialties – ICU, NICU, and flight nursing often pay more. Oncology nursing rewards longevity, shift differentials, and certification investment more than entry-level base pay.
What is the highest-paying oncology nursing specialty?
Within oncology nursing, bone marrow transplant (BMT) nursing at NCI-designated academic cancer centers pays the most, typically $115,000–$145,000 per year before differentials in high-cost-of-living states. BMT nursing operates at ICU-adjacent acuity, with the same complexity drivers that push critical care pay above general oncology. The primary certification for this subspecialty is the TCTCN (Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Certified Nurse), which ONCC renamed from BMTCN effective 1 January 2026 to reflect the growth of CAR T-cell and other immune effector cell therapies. Nurses who held BMTCN had their credential updated automatically, so the two names refer to the same certification. For clinical context on what BMT nurses manage, see oncology nursing reference.
For the full career pathway – education, certifications, new-grad oncology programs, and career ladder – see how to become an oncology nurse.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141),” May 2025 estimates. National median $97,550 / $46.90 per hour; national mean $101,420 / $48.76 per hour.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Nurse Practitioners (SOC 29-1171) and Nurse Anesthetists (SOC 29-1151),” May 2025 estimates. NP median $132,300; CRNA median $236,590.
- Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, “2026 Oncology Nursing Certification Test Registration Manual,” published December 2025. Test fees $300 ONS/APHON member and $420 non-member (flat rates, no age-based reduction); $75 international testing fee; $100 DoubleTake retake option. OCN eligibility: 2,000 hours adult oncology practice within 48 months, two years RN experience, 10 oncology contact hours within 36 months.
- Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, “ONCC Changing Name of BMTCN Certification to TCTCN” and “BMTCN to TCTCN Name Change FAQ,” effective 1 January 2026.
- Oncology Nursing Society, “ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certificate Course,” accessed July 2026.
- Vivian Health, “Average Oncology Nurse Salary by State and Nationally” and “Average Travel Oncology Nurse Salary,” platform data accessed 29 July 2026. Staff oncology $48.92/hr against an all-nursing average of $47.18/hr; travel oncology $2,318/week against $2,183/week.
- NSI Nursing Solutions, “2026 NSI National Health Care Retention and RN Staffing Report.” 527 hospitals across 40 states, 262,405 RNs; staff RN turnover 17.6%, vacancy rate 8.6%, first-year turnover 22.7%, average RN replacement cost $60,090.
- National Cancer Institute, “NCI-Designated Cancer Centers,” accessed July 2026. 74 designated centers across 37 states and the District of Columbia.