Transplant nurses earn between $75,000 and $120,000 annually in most US markets, with transplant coordinators typically at the higher end of that range due to on-call compensation and the case management complexity of their role. The national median for registered nurses (BLS SOC 29-1141, May 2024) is $86,070, and transplant nurses in most major transplant centers earn above that baseline.
| Role | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bedside transplant RN (inpatient) | $75,000–$95,000 | Academic medical center premium |
| Outpatient transplant coordinator | $80,000–$105,000 | On-call differential common |
| Senior/lead transplant coordinator | $95,000–$120,000+ | High-volume programs, CTCTC certified |
| Travel transplant RN | $2,000–$3,200/wk | Platform-dependent, specialty demand |
How transplant nurse salaries compare to the RN median
Transplant nursing is classified under BLS SOC 29-1141 (Registered Nurses) — there is no separate occupational code for transplant specialty nurses. The BLS national median for all RNs is $86,070 (May 2024 OES). Transplant nurses typically earn above this median for two reasons: the programs that hire them are academic medical centers (which pay more than community hospitals) and the specialty commands a knowledge premium.
Transplant coordinators occupy a hybrid clinical-administrative role, and their compensation often includes on-call differential pay that meaningfully raises total compensation above base salary. A coordinator earning $90,000 base may collect an additional $8,000–$15,000 annually in on-call differential depending on their call schedule.
National salary estimates from multiple sources
| Source | Reported range / median | Methodology |
|---|---|---|
| BLS OES May 2024 (RN median) | $86,070 national median | All RNs SOC 29-1141; transplant specialty not separated |
| Salary.com (transplant coordinator) | $78,000–$108,000 | Self-reported + employer data |
| ZipRecruiter (transplant nurse) | $74,000–$105,000 | Job posting salary data |
| Glassdoor (transplant RN) | $80,000–$100,000 | Self-reported base salary |
| Indeed (transplant coordinator) | $82,000–$107,000 | Job posting + employer-reported |
Aggregator ranges reflect both bedside transplant RNs and transplant coordinators — the two roles blend in employer reporting. Use the BLS RN median as the floor benchmark and the aggregator ranges as specialty premium guidance.
Salary by state
The table below uses BLS OES May 2024 SOC 29-1141 (Registered Nurses) state-level data. Transplant specialty premium is typically 5–15% above these medians in states with high-volume transplant programs (California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin).
| State | Annual median | Hourly median |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Arizona | $82,380 | $39.61 |
| California | $133,340 | $64.11 |
| Colorado | $82,800 | $39.81 |
| Connecticut | $94,590 | $45.48 |
| Florida | $72,580 | $34.90 |
| Georgia | $72,300 | $34.76 |
| Illinois | $82,880 | $39.85 |
| Indiana | $70,570 | $33.93 |
| Iowa | $67,880 | $32.63 |
| Kansas | $66,200 | $31.83 |
| Maryland | $87,080 | $41.87 |
| Massachusetts | $104,710 | $50.34 |
| Michigan | $76,870 | $36.96 |
| Minnesota | $90,890 | $43.70 |
| Missouri | $67,590 | $32.49 |
| New Jersey | $99,470 | $47.82 |
| New Mexico | $79,630 | $38.28 |
| New York | $101,560 | $48.83 |
| North Carolina | $70,340 | $33.82 |
| Ohio | $73,650 | $35.41 |
| Oklahoma | $64,490 | $31.00 |
| Oregon | $106,610 | $51.25 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| Tennessee | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| Texas | $76,140 | $36.61 |
| Utah | $75,250 | $36.18 |
| Virginia | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Washington | $106,440 | $51.17 |
| Wisconsin | $79,480 | $38.21 |
Source: BLS OES May 2024, SOC 29-1141. These are statewide medians for all RNs. Transplant nurses at academic medical centers in states like California, New York, and Massachusetts typically exceed the statewide median.
Salary by experience
| Experience level | Typical base salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (0–2 years in transplant) | $70,000–$82,000 | Bedside RN, still orienting to specialty |
| Mid-level (3–5 years) | $80,000–$95,000 | Independent practice, CTCTC eligible |
| Senior (5–10 years) | $90,000–$110,000 | Lead RN or coordinator; CTCTC certified |
| Lead/program coordinator (10+ years) | $100,000–$120,000+ | Administrative responsibilities, high-volume program |
Salary by setting
| Setting | Base salary range | Additional compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital bedside transplant unit | $75,000–$95,000 | Shift differentials (nights/weekends) |
| Outpatient transplant clinic | $72,000–$90,000 | Typically M–F, no shift differential |
| Hospital-based transplant coordinator | $82,000–$108,000 | On-call differential ($3–$8/hr call rate) |
| Travel transplant RN | $2,000–$3,200/wk total package | Varies by platform and organ specialty |
Coordinator on-call compensation is a meaningful part of total pay. Most transplant coordinators carry a rotating call schedule — they must be reachable 24/7 for organ offers, rejection alerts, and urgent patient calls. Programs typically pay an hourly on-call rate ($3–$8/hr) plus a higher rate when calls require active work. Over a year, this can add $8,000–$18,000 to base salary.
Transplant coordinator vs. bedside transplant RN pay
Transplant coordinators generally earn more than bedside transplant RNs when total compensation (including on-call) is factored in.
| Factor | Bedside RN | Coordinator |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $75,000–$95,000 | $82,000–$108,000 |
| On-call differential | Rare | Common; $8,000–$18,000/yr |
| Shift differential | Yes (nights/weekends) | Minimal (M–F schedule) |
| Total comp range | $78,000–$100,000 | $90,000–$120,000+ |
| Career ceiling | Lead RN, educator | Program manager, NP trajectory |
The coordinator role commands higher pay because it carries regulatory accountability (UNOS documentation, CMS oversight), on-call burden, and a larger patient panel. Many transplant nurses pursue the coordinator path specifically for the combination of clinical depth and higher total compensation.
CTCTC certification salary premium
The CTCTC credential (Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator, NATCO) is the standard credential for transplant coordinators. Certified coordinators typically earn $5,000–$12,000 more annually than non-certified counterparts at the same experience level, reflecting both the knowledge depth the credential signals and the fact that most high-volume programs require or strongly prefer it for independent coordinator status.
For current CTCTC eligibility requirements and fees, visit natco1.org directly.
Travel transplant nursing
Travel transplant nursing is a smaller market than general travel nursing — transplant units hire travelers less frequently because the specialty requires significant orientation. When positions are available, total weekly packages typically range from $2,000–$3,200 depending on market and organ specialty.
High-demand markets for travel transplant nursing include California, New York, Texas, and Ohio — states with large-volume transplant programs at academic medical centers. IR-heavy transplant coordinators (those supporting living donor programs) are particularly sought.
For detailed guidance on the broader travel nursing salary landscape, see our ICU nurse career guide.
How to increase your transplant nursing salary
1. Earn the CTCTC. Certification correlates with higher pay and is required for advancement to independent coordinator status at most programs.
2. Transition to a coordinator role. The coordinator path consistently outearns bedside roles when on-call differential is included.
3. Target high-volume academic medical centers. Programs performing 100+ transplants per year have larger teams, more complex cases, and typically higher pay scales than community hospital transplant programs.
4. Pursue transplant NP training. Transplant nurse practitioners in nephrology and hepatology programs typically earn $110,000–$140,000+ — well above the coordinator ceiling.
5. Consider travel assignments. Experienced transplant coordinators with 3+ years of experience can command travel rates significantly above their staff salary during high-demand periods.
6. Kidney transplant specialization. Kidney is the highest-volume organ, meaning more programs, more positions, and more competitive salaries for kidney transplant coordinators than for lower-volume specialties.
For those considering the dialysis-to-kidney-transplant path, see our dialysis nurse salary guide for the ESRD compensation baseline and our transplant nurse career guide for the transition roadmap.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average transplant nurse salary? Transplant RNs at academic medical centers typically earn $80,000–$105,000 in base salary. Transplant coordinators with on-call differential often reach $90,000–$120,000 in total annual compensation. The BLS national RN median is $86,070 (May 2024); transplant nurses at high-volume programs generally exceed this.
Do transplant coordinators earn more than bedside transplant nurses? In total compensation, yes. Coordinators carry on-call responsibility that adds $8,000–$18,000 annually on top of a base salary that already tends to run higher than bedside RN rates. The trade-off is a largely M–F schedule with call rotations rather than shift work.
Does CTCTC certification increase pay? Certified transplant coordinators typically earn $5,000–$12,000 more than non-certified counterparts at the same experience level. At most high-volume programs, CTCTC is required for advancement to senior coordinator status, so the credential becomes a ceiling without it.
Where do transplant nurses earn the most? California, Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey lead on RN compensation by state. Within those states, academic medical centers with high-volume transplant programs (UCSF, UCLA, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Columbia, Penn) pay at the top of the market.
How does transplant nurse salary compare to ICU nurse salary? Transplant RNs and ICU RNs earn in similar ranges — both are high-acuity specialties at academic medical centers. Transplant coordinators can exceed ICU RN salaries when on-call differential is included. For ICU salary benchmarks, see our ICU nurse career guide.
Is transplant nursing worth the extra pay? The specialty commands a premium for a reason — the knowledge demands (immunosuppression pharmacology, organ-specific physiology, UNOS/OPTN regulations) are high, and coordinators carry on-call accountability that is meaningful. For nurses drawn to long-term patient relationships, clinical complexity, and a defined specialty community, the combination of professional satisfaction and compensation is compelling.