How Much Do Endoscopy Nurses Make?
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Credit: kot63 / iStock / Getty Images PlusEndoscopy nurses play a vital role in patient care within hospitals and other healthcare facilities. No two days are ever the same. In some environments, these professionals fill different roles, including primary nurses and assistants during procedures.
Healthcare professionals perform endoscopy procedures on the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Endoscopy nurses are needed for both types of procedures. The position offers greater scheduling flexibility and work-life balance than the 24-hour needs of hospital inpatient units.
This page covers how much an endoscopy nurse makes, the highest-paying states, and four ways you can increase your pay.
Average Salary for Endoscopy Nurses
The minimum education for an endoscopy nurse is an associate degree in nursing (ADN). However, most employers seek nurses who possess bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degrees. Endoscopy nurses must have specialized knowledge and skills to administer patient care and manage emergencies and complications.
According to June 2022 Payscale data, the average hourly pay for endoscopy nurses is $30.14, which is lower than the average annual salary for a registered nurse (RN) at $31.04. However, this is a higher average hourly rate than an office nurse at $24.44 or public health nurse at $29.44, who work similar hours Note that the sample size from Payscale for endoscopy nurses is fewer than 50 respondents.
Endoscopy nurses’ hours also influence their salaries. For the most part, these procedures occur during business hours. This means endoscopy nurses work during preferred daytime hours.
$77,600
Median Annual Salary (for all RNs)
Source:Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021
$30.14
Average Hourly Wage
Source:Payscale, May 2022
The Highest Paying States for Endoscopy Nurses
RNs receive higher salaries than the average annual wage for all other occupations in the United States. The BLS does not specifically list data for endoscopy nurses but gathers information for all RNs and reports the average annual wage as $39.78 per hour.
The following table lists the top five paying states for RN salaries. These states are also in the top 10 states with the highest cost of living index, each with a cost of living index of 120 or greater, according to World Population Review.
The states with the highest annual average salaries for registered nurses are:
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,000 |
| Hawaii | $106,530 |
| Oregon | $98,630 |
| Washington, D.C. | $98,630 |
| Alaska | $97,230 |
Source:BLS
How Do Endoscopy Nurse Salaries Compare to Other RN Specialties?
Nursing offers healthcare professionals a unique opportunity to specialize in caring for specific populations, such as children or older individuals. These professionals can focus on conditions, such as cardiovascular nursing. Nurses with advanced degrees, such as nurse practitioners, can earn over $100,000 annually.
The specialties and the salaries may include infection control nurse ($31.86), cardiac cath lab nurse ($35.33), and occupational health nurse ($34.41).
4 Ways to Increase Pay As an Endoscopy Nurse
Endoscopy nurse salaries vary depending on the geographical location, experience, certifications, and education level of the nurse. According to Payscale, while the average annual hourly endoscopy nurse pay is $30.14, the top 10% of earners make up to $49.66 per hour.
Consider the following ways to boost your pay as an endoscopy nurse:
- 1
Consider Pursuing Certification
Certification demonstrates a commitment to the profession and can help accelerate career growth. Nurses who pursue certification from the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN) must meet specific criteria first.
This includes an RN with an equivalent of 4,000 work hours in the past five years in GI or endoscopy and two contacts to verify the qualifications. The ABCGN provides resources and study guides to increase your potential for success. Generally, a specialty certification will help raise your salary.
- 2
Increase Education Level
Hospitals prefer to hire BSN-prepared nurses as they more commonly have greater leadership skills, have a broader knowledge base, and help hospitals meet expectations for the Magnet Recognition program.
Consider investigating bridge programs like an ADN-to-BSN degree or master of science in nursing (MSN) degrees. You can find in-person and online degree options to meet your needs.
- 3
Gain Experience in Administrative Roles
There’s a growing demand for nursing administrators as many seasoned nurses are reaching retirement. Certified endoscopy nurses are in a unique position to advance into a managerial or administrative role on gastrointestinal, respiratory care, or endoscopy units.
The base salary for a clinical nurse manager is $37.64 per hour and $36.64 per hour for a nurse administrator.
- 4
Switch Practice Setting
Geographical and job location have a significant impact on salary potential. While moving to another city or state may not be possible and may increase the cost of living, moving to another practice setting in the area may lead to an increase in pay.
Nurses working in the insurance industry, hospitals, and outpatient clinics have the highest potential compensation. Some nurses also find their experience in endoscopy nursing is more highly valued in another practice, and thus they have greater earning potential.
Frequently Asked Questions About Endoscopy Nurse Salaries
How much does an endoscopy nurse make?
The average annual endoscopy nurse salary is $30.14 per hour or $62,690 per year, according to Payscale. Factors influencing income potential include employer, geographic location, education, and work experience.
Is being an endoscopy nurse hard?
Endoscopy nurses have specialized knowledge in the respiratory system or gastrointestinal tract. They manage emergency situations, educate patients on their conditions, and can administer medication. Endoscopy nurses also have more flexible schedules during typical business hours. This can offer a better work-life balance than a traditional hospital job.
What is the highest-paying registered nurse specializations?
Nurses with advanced education or certifications have a greater salary potential. Some of the highest-paying RN specialties without an advanced degree include nurse administrators, complementary health nurses, and genetics nurses.
Is endoscopy nursing a good job?
Endoscopy nurses play a unique role in healthcare. They care for patients during surgical procedures and recovery. Most of these nurses have flexible schedules, which allow for a better balance of professional and personal obligations. Only you can determine if a position is good for your needs. However, the flexibility of nursing and the ease of moving to another specialty allows you to pursue other professional options.
