Oncology nurses earn a specialty premium above the general RN mean. The national mean for registered nurses (BLS SOC 29-1141, May 2025 OEWS) is $101,420 per year / $48.76 per hour. Oncology RNs working in dedicated cancer care settings – particularly NCI-designated cancer centers, inpatient bone marrow transplant units, and academic infusion centers – typically earn 10–15% above that baseline, with OCN certification, night shift differentials, and on-call obligations stacking additional income on top.
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) | $114,000–$149,000 annualized | $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 mean: $101,420 per year / $48.76 per hour (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Oncology-specific data from Vivian Health (drawn from active job listings) puts the average oncology nurse hourly rate at $50.93, roughly 7% above the all-RN nursing average of $47.45/hr on that platform. Annualized at full-time hours, that figures to approximately $105,900 per year for active staff positions.
The 7–15% specialty premium reflects several structural factors: chemotherapy administration liability, ONS/ONCC certification requirements, patient acuity in BMT and inpatient settings, and the emotional demands that contribute to higher-than-average turnover and ongoing vacancy pressure in oncology units.
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 primary driver of pay differentiation within the oncology nursing specialty. Most clinical ladder systems at NCI-designated centers and large health systems attach a differential to OCN status.
| 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. Combined with night shift differential ($3–6/hr), an OCN-certified night shift oncology RN at a mid-tier hospital can generate $15,000–$22,000 annually above the base day-shift rate.
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 significantly more than permanent staff on a gross weekly basis. Vivian Health data (May 2026, 583+ active oncology travel listings) puts the average travel oncology nurse rate at $2,283 per week — approximately 7–15% above the general travel nursing average of $2,170/week on the same platform.
A 13-week contract at $2,283/week generates approximately $29,679 in gross earnings. Working three to four contracts per year puts annualized gross income at $89,000–$120,000, with peak markets (California, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois) running contract packages of $2,500–$4,000/week.
| Market / state | Average weekly rate | Peak market rate |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $2,619 | $3,999 |
| Illinois | $2,619 | $3,450 |
| Wyoming | $2,586 | $3,206 |
| California | $2,580 | $3,752 |
| Oklahoma | $2,577 | $2,848 |
| New York | $2,571 | ~$3,200 |
Vivian Health data, May 2026. Weekly rates are gross compensation including tax-free stipends where applicable.
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 table below uses May 2025 OEWS state mean wages for SOC 29-1141 (Registered Nurses), with a 10% oncology specialty premium applied as an estimate. Actual oncology RN 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: BLS SOC 29-1141 state mean wages, May 2025 OEWS release. 10% oncology specialty premium applied uniformly as an estimate based on Vivian Health platform data showing oncology RN rates ~7–15% above the all-RN mean. Actual pay depends on setting (NCI-designated vs. community), employer, experience, shift, and certification. BLS does not publish oncology nursing as a distinct occupational category.
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) | $130,000–$185,000+ |
| 7 | CRNA (with oncology ICU background, DNP required) | $180,000–$230,000+ |
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 $3,600–$9,000 per year for a full-time employee. 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?
Oncology nurses earn above the all-RN national mean. Vivian Health platform data puts the oncology RN average at 7% above the all-specialty nursing average. BLS SOC 29-1141 national mean (May 2025) is $101,420; active oncology listings on Vivian average ~$105,900 annualized. The premium is real but not as large as some high-acuity specialties — ICU nurses, NICU nurses, and flight nurses often earn more. Oncology nursing rewards longevity and certification investment more than entry-level pay alone.
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 TCTCN™ credential (Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Certified Nurse, formerly BMTCN) is the primary certification for this subspecialty. 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.