Endoscopy Nurse Salary in 2026: What GI and Procedural RNs Earn

Endoscopy Nurse Salary in 2026

Endoscopy nurses — also called GI (gastrointestinal) nurses — work in hospital GI labs, outpatient endoscopy centers, and ambulatory surgery centers performing procedures like colonoscopies, upper endoscopies (EGD), ERCP, and capsule endoscopy. It's a procedural specialty with a consistent patient flow, predictable hours, and strong demand driven by colorectal cancer screening mandates and an aging population.

National Salary Overview

Setting	Avg Annual Salary	Range
Hospital GI / endoscopy lab	$88,000–$102,000	$72K–$120K
Outpatient endoscopy center (standalone)	$80,000–$95,000	$68K–$112K
Ambulatory surgery center (ASC)	$82,000–$98,000	$70K–$115K
VA / federal GI labs	$84,000–$100,000	$72K–$112K

What Makes Endoscopy Nursing Attractive

Endoscopy nursing has a consistent appeal for experienced RNs looking to leave inpatient settings:

• Schedule: Most GI labs operate Monday–Friday, daytime hours. Emergency endoscopy exists at hospitals (GI bleeds don't follow business hours), but outpatient centers rarely have call requirements.
• Physical demands: Less heavy lifting than inpatient nursing. Patients are typically sedated for procedures; positioning and scope management are the primary physical tasks.
• Patient acuity: Generally lower than ICU/ER. Most endoscopy patients are elective screening cases (colonoscopies) or manageable acute cases (EGD for dysphagia, ERCP for biliary disease). True emergencies (active GI bleeds, perforations) are handled at hospital GI labs with backup.
• Procedural skill: Endoscopy nurses develop specific competencies — scope handling, reprocessing oversight, conscious sedation administration, and PACU-style recovery monitoring. This specialization is valued and pays accordingly.

CGRN Certification: The Specialty Credential

The CGRN® (Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse), issued by ABCGN, is the primary specialty certification for GI nurses. Requirements:

• Current RN licensure
• 2 years of gastroenterology nursing experience and 1,000 hours of GI practice in the preceding 2 years
• Passing the CGRN examination

Pay premium: $4,000–$9,000 above non-certified peers. Hospital GI labs and high-volume outpatient centers list CGRN as preferred or required for senior endoscopy nurse and charge nurse roles. Certification renewal requires CEU completion; many GI nursing employers reimburse exam and renewal fees.

Conscious Sedation Skills Add Pay

Endoscopy nurses in most states administer moderate conscious sedation (midazolam + fentanyl or propofol under anesthesia supervision). Nurses certified in ACLS and with demonstrated conscious sedation competency are more valuable to GI labs — particularly those that don't routinely use anesthesia services for all procedures. Some high-volume outpatient centers that rely entirely on RN-administered sedation (rather than anesthesiologist presence) pay a $3,000–$6,000 premium for sedation-experienced nurses.

State-Level Salary Variation

State	Avg Endoscopy RN Salary
California	$100,000–$118,000
Massachusetts	$96,000–$114,000
New York	$92,000–$110,000
Washington	$90,000–$106,000
Texas	$78,000–$95,000
Florida	$74,000–$92,000
Midwest	$78,000–$95,000

Career Transition to Endoscopy

Endoscopy nursing attracts RNs from med-surg, ER, and ICU backgrounds. Typical experience requirements are 2–3 years of clinical RN experience. GI labs typically provide on-the-job scope training — the specialized procedural skills are learned in-unit rather than pre-hired. What matters more is strong IV access, ACLS certification, comfort with moderate sedation, and the ability to monitor and recover patients in a fast-paced procedural environment.

Endoscopy nursing is consistently cited in nurse satisfaction surveys for its schedule predictability, team culture, and lower burnout rates compared to inpatient specialties. For nurses looking to exit bedside acute care while maintaining procedural skills and solid pay, it's a strong option.