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Oncology Nurse Salary 2026: RN Pay by State, Setting & Certification
Oncology Nurse Salary 2026: RN Pay by State, Setting & Certification
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.
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