Plastic surgery nurses earn meaningfully above the national median for registered nurses. The median annual salary for plastic surgery nurses is $113,224 as of June 2026, compared to $100,797 for RNs overall (BLS SOC 29-1141, 2025). The higher floor reflects the specialty’s OR-level skill requirements, the perioperative expertise expected of candidates, and in many cases the CPSN certification premium. Most plastic surgery nurses in hospital and outpatient surgery settings fall in the $100,000–$126,000 range, with top earners in high-cost markets exceeding $140,000.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| National median salary | $113,224/yr |
| 10th–90th percentile range | $100,592–$125,965 |
| 25th–75th percentile range | $106,612–$119,893 |
| Hourly median | ~$54/hr |
| CPSN certification premium (estimated) | $5,000–$10,000/yr above uncertified peers |
| Top-paying state | California ($124,886 median) |
| Lowest-paying state | Mississippi ($100,973 median) |
| Top-paying city | San Jose, CA ($142,809) |
For career path and certification details, see our companion guide on how to become a plastic surgery nurse.
How much does a plastic surgery nurse make?
Plastic surgery nursing sits in the upper tier of RN specialty compensation, driven by three factors: perioperative skill requirements, OR-level expertise, and specialty certification. The national median for all registered nurses (BLS SOC 29-1141) is $100,797 annually as of 2025. Plastic surgery nurses consistently land above that baseline, with a median in the $113,000 range and a salary band that extends well above $125,000 for experienced nurses in high-paying markets.
There is no separate BLS SOC code for plastic surgery nurses specifically. Compensation data draws from general RN wage statistics (SOC 29-1141) supplemented by specialty salary surveys from sources such as Salary.com, Vivian Health, and ZipRecruiter, which aggregate from actual job postings and self-reported compensation across plastic surgery nursing roles. The figures presented here blend BLS state-level RN data with specialty-specific survey data to provide the most accurate picture available.
Context matters when reading salary ranges across sources. ZipRecruiter’s April 2026 data for “Plastic Surgery RN” shows an average of $129,668 — pulled higher by travel nurse contracts and high-earning outliers in major metro markets. Salary.com’s June 2026 median of $113,224 reflects permanent employment more accurately. Both data points are real; they reflect different slices of the labor market.
Compared to other surgical subspecialties, plastic surgery nurses typically earn near OR nurses (median ~$93,000–$115,000 depending on setting and market) and burn nurses, reflecting the shared perioperative skill base. The specialty premium over general med-surg nursing is meaningful: a floor of $100,000 nationally for plastic surgery nurses compares to a med-surg RN national median closer to $90,000–$95,000.
Plastic surgery nurse salary by state
The table below uses BLS SOC 29-1141 median annual wage data (2025 release) for 25 key states. These represent the underlying RN wage floor in each state. Specialty plastic surgery nurse salaries in these states typically run $10,000–$15,000 above the general RN median, reflecting OR and specialty experience requirements.
| State | RN median annual salary | Specialty adjustment (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| California | $148,330 | Top market nationally; highest plastic surgery demand |
| Hawaii | $123,720 | High cost of living premium; limited volume |
| Oregon | $120,470 | Strong Portland metro market |
| Washington | $115,740 | Seattle metro; academic medical centers |
| Massachusetts | $112,610 | Academic centers; reconstructive surgery programs |
| Alaska | $112,040 | High base pay; limited plastic surgery volume |
| District of Columbia | $109,240 | Highest specialty premium nationally per Salary.com ($125,362) |
| New York | $110,490 | Major metro demand; private practice and academic both strong |
| New Jersey | $106,990 | NYC metro spillover; outpatient surgery centers |
| Connecticut | $103,670 | Competitive RN market; moderate plastic surgery volume |
| Minnesota | $99,460 | Strong health systems; above-median pay relative to COL |
| Nevada | $102,280 | Las Vegas cosmetic surgery market; outpatient ASC demand |
| Maryland | $96,650 | DC metro market; academic medical centers |
| Colorado | $95,470 | Denver metro growth market |
| Arizona | $95,230 | Phoenix metro outpatient surgery center growth |
| Virginia | $90,930 | Northern Virginia/DC metro overlap |
| Pennsylvania | $90,830 | Philadelphia academic centers; Pittsburgh health systems |
| Michigan | $90,580 | Detroit metro; academic medical centers |
| Illinois | $91,130 | Chicago metro; competitive hospital systems |
| Texas | $91,690 | Dallas, Houston, Austin high-volume markets; no state income tax |
| Georgia | $91,960 | Atlanta metro; growing outpatient surgical market |
| North Carolina | $86,270 | Research Triangle and Charlotte academic centers |
| Ohio | $86,110 | Cleveland Clinic system; Columbus and Cincinnati markets |
| Florida | $88,200 | Miami, Tampa, Orlando; high cosmetic surgery volume; no state income tax |
| Tennessee | $82,010 | Nashville health system hub; no state income tax |
Reading this table: The BLS state figures represent general RN median wages. Plastic surgery nurses in each state earn above these numbers due to specialty and OR experience requirements — typically by $10,000–$15,000 in states where the general RN median is lower, and by a smaller dollar margin in states where RN wages are already high. California is the standout: the state’s $148,330 RN median already incorporates the OR and specialty premiums that in other states would be additive.
Salary by setting
Where a plastic surgery nurse works has a significant effect on compensation. Hospital ORs, outpatient surgery centers, and private practices all pay differently, and travel nursing represents its own compensation structure.
| Setting | Annual salary range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital OR (plastic/reconstructive service) | $95,000–$125,000 | Full benefits; union scales in some markets; complex case mix |
| Outpatient ambulatory surgery center (ASC) | $100,000–$130,000 | Higher base pay common; elective case mix; no overnight call typically |
| Private plastic surgery practice (in-office OR) | $90,000–$115,000 | Variable by practice size; may blend surgical and clinical roles |
| Burn center (reconstructive component) | $95,000–$120,000 | Critical care overlap; intensive wound care; specialty differentials at some institutions |
| Academic medical center | $95,000–$125,000 | Complex microsurgery; teaching environment; research exposure |
| Travel nursing (plastic surgery contract) | $120,000–$170,000+ (annualized) | $2,200–$3,500/wk typical; housing and stipends add ~$1,000/wk tax-free |
Outpatient surgery centers (ASCs) tend to pay above hospital rates for comparable experience. This is consistent across most surgical specialties and reflects the ASC’s higher revenue per case and more predictable scheduling, which reduces the administrative overhead hospitals carry. Nurses at ASCs also typically avoid the rotating call schedules common in hospital ORs, which some nurses value enough to accept a similar or marginally lower base in exchange for schedule quality.
Salary by experience level
Experience matters in plastic surgery nursing, but the effect is less dramatic than in primary care or generalist nursing because the specialty’s floor is already elevated. Entry-level plastic surgery nurses (who typically arrive with 2+ years of prior RN experience) start well above the general new-grad wage.
| Experience level | Years in specialty | Estimated annual salary range |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (new to specialty) | 0–2 years in plastic surgery | $95,000–$108,000 |
| Mid-level | 3–5 years | $108,000–$118,000 |
| Senior | 6–10 years | $115,000–$125,000 |
| Lead / specialist | 10+ years; CPSN; leadership role | $122,000–$140,000+ |
Salary.com data shows a narrower experience spread than many other nursing specialties ($112,581 entry vs. $116,977 for 8+ years), suggesting that in plastic surgery nursing, the bigger salary levers are setting, geography, and certification rather than years of experience alone.
Does CPSN certification increase salary?
CPSN certification (Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse, administered by the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board) is associated with a salary premium. PSNCB does not publish proprietary salary survey data, but the pattern seen across surgical nursing certifications consistently shows a $5,000–$10,000 annual premium for specialty-certified nurses over uncertified peers in comparable roles.
Several mechanisms drive this:
Hiring eligibility. Some hospital plastic surgery programs and larger ASCs list CPSN certification as a preferred or required qualification. Nurses who hold it are eligible for positions that others are not, which compresses supply and supports higher pay.
Pay grade classification. Many hospital systems classify nurses by clinical ladder tiers — staff RN, clinical nurse II, clinical nurse III, and so on. Specialty certification typically qualifies a nurse for a higher tier, which carries a fixed pay differential built into the compensation structure.
Negotiating position. In a credentialed pool of only 176 active CPSN-certified nurses nationally, certification is a meaningful differentiator in salary negotiations. A nurse who can demonstrate specialty credentialing and a limited supply of certified peers has a stronger negotiating position than a nurse competing on experience alone.
The certification exam costs $325 (ISPAN members) or $495 (non-members). At the low end of the estimated premium ($5,000/yr), certification pays for itself within the first few weeks of the pay differential — a straightforward return on investment.
Total compensation beyond base salary
Base salary is only part of the compensation picture for plastic surgery nurses. Several additional elements are worth understanding before comparing offers.
Shift differentials. Hospital OR nurses typically receive differential pay for evening, night, and weekend shifts. Differentials commonly range from $3–$8/hr for evenings, $5–$12/hr for nights, and $3–$6/hr for weekends, depending on the institution and local market. For nurses who rotate through off-peak shifts, differentials can add $5,000–$15,000 annually to the base wage.
Call pay and overtime. OR nurses at many hospital systems are required to take on-call assignments for emergencies and after-hours cases. Call pay rates vary widely: $5–$15/hr while on call (inactive), plus overtime rates when called in (1.5x to 2x base). For nurses willing to take call, this can represent meaningful additional income.
Sign-on bonuses. The specialty nursing market tightened significantly over the early 2020s, and sign-on bonuses for surgical specialty nurses remain common. Sign-on bonuses of $10,000–$25,000 are not unusual for experienced plastic surgery OR nurses in competitive markets, typically structured with a 1–2 year repayment clawback.
Benefits value. Health, dental, vision insurance; retirement contributions; and tuition reimbursement (relevant if pursuing BSN completion or specialty CE for CPSN renewal) add meaningful value to total compensation packages. Employer retirement contributions of 4–6% of salary are common at larger hospital systems.
Travel nursing compensation. Travel plastic surgery nurses typically earn $2,200–$3,500/week in taxable wages plus tax-free housing and per diem stipends of $800–$1,200/week, yielding annualized total compensation of $120,000–$170,000+ depending on contract location and staffing agency. Travel contracts require flexibility and housing relocation but represent a substantial income premium for nurses willing to accept the tradeoffs.
How to increase your earnings as a plastic surgery nurse
Several concrete actions move the salary needle in plastic surgery nursing.
Earn the CPSN. The most direct lever for salary growth in the specialty. With only 176 certified nurses in the country, credentialed nurses compete in a thin labor market. Meet the 2-year / 1,000-hour eligibility threshold, sit for the exam, and use the credential in every subsequent job search and review cycle.
Add CNOR. The general OR certification from the Competency and Credentialing Institute demonstrates broad perioperative competency and opens door to positions that require general OR credentialing in addition to or in lieu of CPSN. Many nurses hold both. CNOR also signals eligibility for clinical ladder advancement at hospital systems that use CNOR as a tier-advancement criterion.
Pursue a management or lead role. Charge nurse and OR team lead positions at plastic surgery centers and ASCs carry pay differentials of $2–$5/hr over staff positions. With experience and CPSN, the transition to nurse manager or clinical director represents the most substantial long-term salary growth available in the specialty.
Consider travel nursing. For nurses without geographic constraints, a 1–2 year period of travel nursing in plastic surgery specialties can generate significantly more income than permanent employment in most markets, while building case experience across multiple institutions and markets.
Target high-paying markets and settings. California, Washington, Massachusetts, and the New York metro pay substantially above the national median. ASCs typically pay above hospital systems for equivalent experience. Moving from a private practice position to a hospital or ASC role — or to a higher-paying state — often produces a larger immediate salary gain than waiting for incremental annual raises.
Negotiate at offer stage. Entry-level plastic surgery nurses sometimes accept the first offer without negotiating. Research current market rates using BLS data and specialty salary surveys, benchmark your experience and certification against the job requirements, and counter. The specialty’s thin certified labor pool supports negotiation.
Frequently asked questions
How much do plastic surgery nurses make per hour?
The median hourly rate for plastic surgery nurses is approximately $54/hr based on a $113,224 annual median. Hourly rates range from roughly $48/hr at the 10th percentile to $61/hr at the 90th percentile for permanent positions. Travel contracts and overtime rates can push effective hourly rates considerably higher.
Do plastic surgery nurses make more than regular OR nurses?
Plastic surgery nurses and general OR nurses earn in overlapping ranges. General OR nurses have a national salary median in the $93,000–$110,000 range depending on the data source, which is slightly below the $113,000+ median seen for plastic surgery specialists. The specialty premium is real but moderate — roughly $5,000–$10,000 in comparable markets — reflecting the additional specialty certification and procedure-specific expertise.
What is the highest-paying state for plastic surgery nurses?
California consistently ranks as the highest-paying state, with a general RN median of $148,330 and plastic surgery specialty data showing $124,886 as the median (Salary.com, June 2026). San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland are the highest-paying metro areas nationally, with medians above $138,000–$142,000.
Does CPSN certification lead to higher pay?
Yes, based on industry consensus estimates. Specialty certification in surgical subspecialties consistently shows a $5,000–$10,000 annual premium over uncertified peers. The mechanism is a combination of hiring eligibility (some positions require CPSN), pay grade advancement on clinical ladders, and stronger negotiating position in a thin certified labor market.
How much do travel plastic surgery nurses make?
Travel contracts for plastic surgery OR nurses typically run $2,200–$3,500/week in taxable wages, plus tax-free housing and per diem allowances of $800–$1,200/week. Annualized, this represents $120,000–$170,000+ in total compensation, with the wide range reflecting contract location, staffing agency, and case volume expectations.
Are plastic surgery nurse salaries increasing?
Yes, on trend. General RN wages have grown meaningfully since 2020, and surgical specialty nursing has tracked that growth or outpaced it in markets where surgical volume is expanding. BLS OEWS data shows consistent year-over-year increases in RN wages nationally, with states like West Virginia reporting 7.8% annual wage growth in recent cycles. Specialties with thin certified labor pools — including CPSN-credentialed nurses — benefit more from this tightening than high-volume generalist roles.
How does plastic surgery nurse pay compare to aesthetic nurse pay?
Aesthetic nurses (who work in medspas and outpatient clinics with injectables and laser treatments) typically earn in the $75,000–$100,000 range, with high earners in premium markets or commission-based practices reaching higher. Plastic surgery nurses, with their OR and surgical requirements, generally earn more on the base salary line. Aesthetic nurses may earn more in total compensation in commission-heavy or ownership models. The roles require different credentials and clinical skills; the compensation structures reflect different labor market dynamics.
What benefits do plastic surgery nurses typically receive?
Typical benefits for plastic surgery nurses in hospital and ASC employment include health, dental, and vision insurance; employer retirement contributions (commonly 4–6% match); tuition reimbursement (useful for BSN completion and CE for CPSN renewal); paid time off; shift differentials for evenings, nights, and weekends; call pay; and sign-on bonuses in competitive markets. Benefits packages vary significantly between hospital systems, outpatient surgery centers, and private practice settings.
Is plastic surgery nursing a good career financially?
The financial profile is strong. A median of $113,000+ with a floor above $100,000 nationally, a certified pool of only 176 nurses creating strong negotiating leverage, a clear premium for CPSN certification, and meaningful upside through travel nursing and management roles make plastic surgery nursing one of the more financially secure surgical subspecialty paths in nursing. The more relevant constraint is the investment required to reach the specialty — 2+ years of prior nursing experience plus OR training before entering the plastic surgery role.