Travel Cath Lab Nurse Jobs 2026
15 open Cardiac Catheterization Lab assignments averaging $2,900/week — the highest average pay of any hospital-based RN specialty.
Cath Lab = Highest-Paying Hospital-Based RN Specialty
Cardiac cath labs demand specialized skills — fluoroscopy safety, hemodynamic monitoring, sterile field management, contrast media protocols — that take years to develop. The supply constraint drives pay well above ICU, ER, or OR averages. RCIS-certified Cath Lab nurses working high-volume structural heart programs earn $3,200–$3,800/week.
Travel Cath Lab Nurse Pay by Lab Type
Program complexity is the biggest pay driver. Structural heart and TAVR programs require multi-disciplinary skills and pay accordingly.
| Lab Type / Program | Weekly Pay | Case Types | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structural Heart / TAVR Program | $3,200–$3,800/wk | TAVR, MitraClip, WATCHMAN, Impella | RCIS, hemodynamic expertise, 3+ yrs Cath Lab |
| EP (Electrophysiology) Lab | $2,800–$3,400/wk | Ablations, ICD implants, cardioversions | CCRN or CCDS, EP-specific training |
| High-Volume Academic Cath Lab | $2,700–$3,200/wk | STEMI, PCI, complex coronary | RCIS preferred, ACLS, 2+ yrs exp |
| Community Hospital Cath Lab | $2,500–$2,900/wk | Diagnostic angiograms, elective PCI | BLS, ACLS, 1–2 yrs Cath Lab |
| Hybrid OR (Cath Lab/OR) | $2,800–$3,400/wk | TAVR, EVAR, hybrid coronary | OR + Cath Lab experience, RCIS preferred |
| Crisis / Rapid Response | $3,000–$4,000/wk | Any / STEMI coverage | Short notice availability, 2+ yrs exp |
Cath Lab Certifications That Maximize Pay
Required for All Cath Lab Contracts
- BLS— Must be current AHA provider
- ACLS— Required — Cath Lab is a high-acuity environment
- Radiation Safety Training— ALARA principles, lead apron protocols
- 1–2 Years Cath Lab Experience— High-volume programs require 2+
- Sterile Technique Proficiency— Verified at competency check-in
Premium Certifications (+Pay)
- +$RCIS (Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist)+$200–$400/wkCCI board cert — gold standard for Cath Lab
- +$CCRN+$150–$250/wkCritical care cert — valued for high-acuity cath work
- +$CCDS (Cardiac Device Specialist)+$150–$250/wkOpens EP lab assignments
- +$CPC (Cardiovascular Physiologist Cert)+$100–$200/wkHemodynamic monitoring mastery
- +$PALS+$50–$100/wkRequired for pediatric Cath Labs
How Cath Lab Pay Compares to Other RN Specialties
| RN Specialty | Avg Weekly Pay | Top Cert Premium | Float Risk | Demand Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Cath Lab / EP Lab | $2,900/wk | RCIS +$200–$400 | None | High |
| ICU / Critical Care | $2,600/wk | CCRN +$150–$250 | Minimal | Very High |
| OR / Surgical | $2,449/wk | CNOR +$150–$250 | None | High |
| ER / Emergency | $2,400/wk | CEN +$150–$250 | Low | Very High |
| L&D | $2,442/wk | AWHONN +$100–$200 | None (OB only) | High |
| Telemetry / Step-down | $2,100/wk | ACLS +$50–$100 | Moderate | Very High |
What Travel Cath Lab Nurses Actually Do
Diagnostic Procedures
- •Coronary angiography (cath)
- •Ventriculography
- •Hemodynamic pressure measurements
- •Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)
- •Fractional flow reserve (FFR)
Interventional Procedures
- •Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
- •Stent placement
- •Balloon angioplasty
- •Rotational atherectomy
- •Thrombus aspiration
Structural Heart / Advanced
- •TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve)
- •MitraClip placement
- •WATCHMAN LAA closure
- •Impella hemodynamic support
- •EP ablations (when cross-trained)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel Cath Lab nurses make per week?
Travel Cath Lab nurses average $2,900/week in 2026 — the highest average of any hospital-based RN specialty. Range is $2,500/week at community cardiac centers to $3,500+/week at high-volume structural heart programs. RCIS certification adds $200–$400/week on top of base pay.
What certifications do travel Cath Lab nurses need?
Required: BLS, ACLS, radiation safety training, 1–2 years Cath Lab experience. Premium certifications that increase pay $200–$400/week: RCIS (Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist). Also valuable: CCRN, CCDS for EP cross-training, CPC for hemodynamic work.
What is the difference between a scrub RN and a circulator in the Cath Lab?
The scrub RN manages the sterile field — passing instruments, managing catheters, guiding wires. The circulator RN handles room management, documentation, and non-sterile coordination. Travel Cath Lab nurses are typically expected to function in both roles.
Are EP Lab and Cath Lab nurses different?
EP Lab focuses on cardiac rhythm disorders (ablations, device implants). Cath Lab focuses on coronary anatomy (angiograms, stenting, hemodynamics). Cross-trained nurses who work both programs earn $3,200–$3,800/week — the top of the RN pay scale.
How long are travel Cath Lab contracts?
13 weeks is standard, with extensions common. Structural heart and TAVR programs often offer 26-week contracts. Crisis placements run 4–8 weeks. High-performing nurses routinely extend 2–3 times at the same facility.
Ready for the Highest-Paying RN Assignment?
15 open Cath Lab positions. RCIS certification unlocks $200–$400/week more.
Apply for Cath Lab Jobs