Healthcare Resource
Oncology Nurse Salary 2026: RN Pay by State, Setting & Certification
In brief
Oncology nurse salary in 2026: national average $78K, state-by-state breakdown, infusion center vs inpatient vs BMT, OCN certification premium, and travel rates.
In this article
The average oncology nurse salary in 2026 is $78,000/year ($37.50/hour) nationally. Oncology nursing spans a wide range of settings, from outpatient infusion centers to inpatient hematology-oncology units to highly specialized bone marrow transplant (BMT) units, and compensation varies significantly based on setting, acuity, and specialty experience.
Oncology Nurse Salary by State (2026)
| State | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | $102,000 | City of Hope, Cedars-Sinai, UCSF, major cancer center concentration |
| New York | $96,000 | Memorial Sloan Kettering, NYU Langone, Weill Cornell |
| Massachusetts | $89,000 | Dana-Farber / Brigham, Mass General Cancer Center |
| Washington | $88,000 | Fred Hutchinson, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, UW Medicine |
| Maryland / DC | $83,000 | NIH Clinical Center, Georgetown Lombardi |
| Texas | $77,000 | MD Anderson Cancer Center, largest cancer center in US |
| Florida | $75,000 | Moffitt Cancer Center (Tampa), Cleveland Clinic Florida |
| Midwest (OH/IL/MN) | $72,000-$78,000 | Cleveland Clinic, Northwestern Lurie, Mayo Clinic |
| Southeast (GA/TN/NC) | $67,000-$73,000 | Emory Winship, Vanderbilt-Ingram, UNC Lineberger |
Oncology RN Pay by Setting
| Setting | Avg Annual Salary | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit | $95,000-$110,000 | Highest acuity; BMTCN cert preferred; major academic centers |
| Inpatient Hematology-Oncology | $82,000-$92,000 | Hospital 12-hr shifts; complex patients; higher acuity |
| Infusion Center / Outpatient Chemo | $74,000-$84,000 | M-F days; no nights/weekends typical |
| Clinical Trials (Research RN) | $76,000-$88,000 | Protocol management; investigational drugs; typically M-F |
| Radiation Oncology | $72,000-$80,000 | Patient education, simulation; no chemo administration |
OCN and BMTCN Certification Premium
The OCN (Oncology Certified Nurse) credential from ONCC adds 3-6% to annual pay, on a $78,000 base, that's $2,340-$4,680/year. Eligibility: 1 year and 1,000 hours of oncology nursing within 2.5 years. BMTCN (Bone Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse) pays a further premium at major transplant centers. Most cancer centers reimburse the $250 exam fee and pay $500-$1,500 certification bonuses.
Travel Oncology Nurse Rates
Travel oncology RN contracts run $1,800-$2,600/week. Inpatient oncology and BMT travelers are most in-demand; BMT-experienced travelers command $2,400-$3,000+/week. Cancer center research assignments typically require OCN and 2+ years specialty experience.
How to Maximize Your Oncology Nurse Salary
- Move to BMT: Bone marrow transplant pays $95K-$110K, the highest in oncology
- Pursue OCN certification: 3-6% premium; BMTCN adds further premium for transplant specialists
- Join clinical trials as a Research RN: Regular hours at $76K-$88K
- Target NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers: These facilities pay above regional averages
- Travel as an inpatient oncology RN: 2+ years unlocks $1,800-$2,600/week contracts
Related: ICU Nurse Salary 2026, ER Nurse Salary 2026, RN Salary by State 2026.
Hiring in this space?
Ava Health places nurses and allied health professionals across Florida
Permanent, travel, contract, and per diem placement. No fees to candidates.
Explore staffing services →Free tool
2026 Healthcare Salary Calculator
Estimate comp by specialty, state, experience, and practice setting. Based on MGMA, AMGA, and BLS benchmarks.
Try the salary calculator →Get Ava Health updates
Healthcare salary data and market updates from Ava Health. Sign up to hear when new resources are ready.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email.