travel nurse salary per state

Travel Nurse Salary: How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

• Travel Nurse Salary
• Salary Factors
• Salary by Specialty
• Highest Paying States
• Highest Paying Cities
• Top Paying Agencies
• How to Make More
• Related Careers
• Final Thoughts & Next Steps

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

The average annual travel nurse salary in the US is  $105,021 or $50/hr, according to  ZipRecruiter  as of May 2023. This is significantly higher than the average salary for registered nurses overall, which is $81,220 per year or $39.05 per hour per the BLS . 

>> Click here to see available high-paying travel nurse opportunities!

Travel nurse salaries range widely across the country, with the lowest earners making $40,000 and the highest earners making $155,500 annually!

If you are a Registered Nurse (RN) who has ever considered traveling the country and wants to know how much travel nurses earn, you’ve come to the right place! This travel nurse salary guide will explain everything you need to know about how much travel nurses can make. Including:

• Types of travel nurses who make the most money
• Travel nurse salaries by city and state incomes
• Top-paying travel nurse agencies
• How to increase your salary as a travel nurse

Factors That Impact Travel Nurse Salaries

It is important to remember that travel nursing salary is dependent on several factors, including:

• Nursing specialty
• Full-time or part-time employment
• The shifts you work: day shift, night shift, mid-shifts, or weekends
• Bonus income

Also, travel nurses who work holidays often receive time-and-a-half or double-time pay, and in some cases, even more!

In addition, depending on the circumstances, travel nurses may also receive “crisis” pay due to needing to fill staffing urgently. If you have the desire and flexibility to move to another city or state quickly, a “crisis” assignment might be a great option for you.

Travel Nurse Salary by Specialty

What do travel nurses do that warrants their higher salaries? While flexibility is a significant factor, your travel nurse salary will also change depending on your nursing specialty.

Travel CRNA

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are the top-paid nursing specialty. The same holds true for CRNAs who take travel assignments as well. According to ZipRecruiter , CRNA travelers earn an average annual income of $194,352 or $93/hr. The highest earners make as much as $311,500!

Operating Room Travel Nurse

Operating Room (OR) travel nurses are in high demand at various locations around the country. ZipRecruiter found that operating room travel nurses earn an average annual income of $181,460 annually or $87/hr. The highest earners make as much as $286,000.

Emergency Room Travel Nurse

ZipRecruiter reports that ER travel nurses earn an average annual income of $83,503 annually or $40/hr. However, they add that the highest earners make as much as $171,500.

Intensive Care (ICU) Travel Nurse

According to ZipRecruiter , the average annual salary for ICU travel nurses is $143,416 annually or $69/hr. However, the highest earners make as much as $263,500.

Travel Nurse Practitioner

The average travel nurse practitioner salary is $140,086 annually or $67/hr, according to ZipRecruiter .  However, salary is often dependent on location and specialty. The highest-earning travel nurse practitioners make as much as $243,500.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Travel Nurse

NICU travel nurses earn an average income of approximately $173,017 annually or $83/hr, according to ZipRecruiter . However, incomes across the country can range widely, with bottom earners making $56,000 and top earners bringing in $281,500.

Med-Surg Travel Nurse

ZipRecruiter reports that med-surg travel nurses in the US earn an average annual income of $118,997 or $57.21/hr. However, per-hour incomes can reach as high as $134.38, depending on your location and facility.

Telemetry Travel Nurse

ZipRecruiter states that telemetry Travel nurses earn an average annual income of $124,122 annually or $60/hr. However, top earners bring in as much as $174,500.

Top Paying States for Travel Nurses

Location can make a huge difference in salary as a travel nurse. ZipRecruiter reports that the states that offer the highest pay for travel nurses include:

• New York: $128,277 annually or $61.67/hr
• Arizona: $109,776 annually or $52.78/hr
• Wyoming: $109,765 annually or $52.77/hr
• Hawaii: $109,653 annually or $52.72/hr
• Tennessee: $107,708 annually or $51.78/hr
• Massachusetts: $107,000 annually or $51.44/hr
• New Jersey: $106,901 annually or $51.40/hr
• Washington: $106,086 annually or $51.00/hr
• West Virginia: $106,044 annually or $50.98/hr
• New Hampshire: $105,438 annually or $50.69/hr

Top Paying Cities for Travel Nurses

ZipRecruiter reports that the cities that offer the highest pay for travel nurses include:

• Barrow, AK: $137,200 annually or $65.96/hr
• San Jose, CA: $133,873 annually or $64.36/hr
• Oakland, CA: $132,042 annually or $63.48/hr
• Antioch, CA: $129,387 annually or $62.21/hr
• San Francisco Bay Area, CA: $128,781 annually or $61.91/hr
• Lebanon, NH: $128,674 annually or $61.86/hr
• New York, NY: $128,277 annually or $61.67/hr
• Hayward, CA: $127,865 annually or $61.47/hr
• Vallejo, CA: $127,791 annually or $61.44/hr 
• Seattle, WA: $127,691 annually or $61.39/hr

Top Paying Agencies for Travel Nurses

There are multiple top-paying travel nurse agencies across the US. It is important to remember that your pay package depends on several factors, and income may vary widely depending on location and the needs of the facility. When a healthcare facility has more urgent needs for travel nurses, the pay ranges typically increase.

>> Related: Travel Nurse Requirements

Aya Healthcare

Aya Healthcare is one of the largest travel nurse agencies in the country, and they offer a wide range of travel nurse opportunities for various nursing specialties and allied healthcare positions. 

Fusion Medical Staffing

Fusion is another large nurse travel agency with many opportunities for nurses to choose their top travel destinations. Their website reports that one of the biggest perks of working with them is that they offer dedicated contacts available every day and night, 24/7.

Axis Medical Staffing

Axis Medical Staffing has won awards for “Best Customer Service” by Verywell Health and “Top Travel Nursing Company 2022” by Travel Nursing Central. 

Travel Nurse Across America

The TNAA website boasts highly skilled recruiters, housing experts, and clinical and quality insurance that prepares their travel nurses for success. 

Gifted Healthcare

Gifted Healthcare is another large travel nursing agency that reports that they aim to open the door to the right opportunities for their clinicians. In fact, their website reports that 90% of travel nurses report that their assignments aligned perfectly with their skills and expectations. 

TotalMed Staffing

Headquartered in Appleton, WI, TotalMed Staffing has several other locations across the country, such as California, Illinois, Tennessee, and North Carolina. They serve various types of healthcare facilities across the country.

Ventura Medstaff

Ventura Medstaff prides itself on integrity. Their website makes it easy to find a match for various types of healthcare specialties in the right location and facility across the country.

Tailored Healthcare

The Tailored Healthcare website reports that travel nurses are rewarded professionally with high-paying travel assignments, Platinum Shield Benefits, and everything paid for upfront. In addition, the company celebrates its nurses year-round with praise, gifts, and best-in-class bonuses.

Titan Medical 

Titan Medical Group states that they help their clients “find your place.” They feature various jobs on their website daily and make it easier for clients to find their next travel assignment.  

MedPro Healthcare

Medpro Healthcare offers incredible benefits, including competitive compensation, travel reimbursement, health insurance, short and long-term disability, 401K, Continuing education, and even referral bonuses.

How to Increase Your Salary as a Travel Nurse

No matter where you live and work as a travel nurse, there are often opportunities to increase your salary.

Be Flexible With Your City and State

When you live and work in a city with a higher cost of living, you will also be compensated at a higher rate. For example, travel nurses who work in areas such as New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Seattle will earn significantly more income than travel nurses who choose to work in lower-cost-of-living areas. 

Consider Your Specialty(s)

If you have been cross-trained in more than one nursing specialty, you may want to see which specialties pay the most through your travel agency. For example, if you usually work as an ICU nurse, but a facility has crisis needs for telemetry nurses and will pay top dollar for that specialty, then you may want to consider accepting that travel assignment. After all, these are temporary assignments, and if you decide you don’t like them, you won’t have to stay for long.

Ask About Per Diem Daily Pay

Many nurses qualify for additional per diem pay for travel nurse housing , incidentals, and meals during their travel assignments. Talk to your travel agent to see if this applies to you.

Choose Shifts Wisely

Career and travel nurses are typically paid a few dollars more per hour for working less desirable shifts such as night shifts, mid shifts, and weekends.

In addition, travel nurses who work holidays often receive time and a half or double time pay!

Talk About Bonuses

Your travel agency will need to explain your bonus structure, as they can differ from agency to agency. However, here are a few of the different types of bonuses you may be eligible for as a travel RN:

• Agency bonus: Added pay from your travel agency
• Retention bonus: Your agency will often pay you a fee for referring your nurse and allied healthcare professional friends to their agency.
• Retention bonus: Agency-paid bonuses for nurses who continue to accept travel bonuses from the same agency.

Find Crisis or Strike Pay

Healthcare facilities in dire need of nursing staff during a public healthcare crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or during a nursing strike, often will pay travel nurses significantly higher wages than during non-dire times. Talk to your travel agency to find out where the most significant staffing needs are. 

Consider Looking at Different Agencies

If you are ever disappointed with your travel pay or hear through the grapevine that other agencies pay significantly more, consider looking at different agencies. It is also wise to build relationships with other travel nurses so you can talk freely about what to expect at different agencies.

Consider Finding Your Own Housing

Many agencies offer a housing stipend and then secure your housing for you. However, if you find your own housing, you may be able to find something less expensive and pocket the rest of the money.

>> See more travel nurse salary tips in How to Make the Most Money as a Travel Nurse

Salaries of Related Nursing Careers vs. Travel Nursing

The following are salaries of non-traveling nursing specialties, according to ZipRecruiter:

• NICU Nurse : $136,592 annually or $66/hr
• Surgical Nurse: $120,699 annually, or $58/hr
• Postpartum Nurse: $108,952 annually or $52/hr
• Telemetry Nurse: $95,179 annually, or $46/hr
• ICU Nurse : $92,568 annually or $45/hr
• Emergency Room Nurse : $83,503 annually or $40/hr

Travel Nurse Salary: Final Thoughts & Next Steps

The high salaries alone are enough to make dozens of nurses excited to enter travel nursing. But the perks don't stop at pay - travel nurses get to see the world, interact with patients across cultures, and enjoy non-taxed travel stipends. If all that sounds enticing to you, check out our guide on how to become a travel nurse to start your dream career today!

Travel Nurse Salary FAQs

Do travel nurses get paid well.

• ZipRecruiter reports that as of May 2023, travel nurses in the US earned an average annual income of $105,021 or $50/hr. They also add that salaries range widely across the country, with the lowest earners making $40,000 and the highest earners making $155,500 annually! 

What is the highest travel nurse salary?

• CRNAs travelers are the top-paid travel registered nurse specialty.  According to ZipRecruiter, CRNA travelers earn an average annual income of $194,352 or $93/hr. The highest earners make as much as $311,500! 

Why are travel nurses paid so much?

• Travel nurses help to fill staffing gaps and often accept assignments in areas with severe or “crisis’” nursing shortages. For their travel flexibility and ability to work in sometimes hard-to-fill areas, they are typically paid a higher compensation.

Sarah Jividen , RN, BSN, is a trained neuro/trauma and emergency room nurse turned freelance healthcare writer/editor. As a journalism major, she combined her love for writing with her passion for high-level patient care. Sarah is the creator of Health Writing Solutions , LLC, specializing in writing about healthcare topics, including health journalism, education, and evidence-based health and wellness trends. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two children. 

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25 Highest Paying States For Travel Nurses In 2023

Traveling around the country is a desirable possibility for nurses like me who want to make more money and shake up our professional life. Not only is there the potential for a higher salary, but there is also the excitement of visiting new places. Most nurses considering traveling look for the highest-paying states for travel nurses. After years of contemplation, I took a travel assignment in California because I needed to make money quickly while in graduate school and was relocating out west that year. Before I made a significant thirteen-week move across the country, I looked up “What are the highest paying states for travel nurses?” What I found after all my research surprised me! This article covers the 25 highest-paying states for travel nurses in 2023.

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE SALARY FOR TRAVEL NURSES IN THE UNITED STATES?

What are the highest-paying states for travel nurses, state #1: california, state #2: hawaii, state #3: oregon, state #4: massachusetts, state #5: alaska, state #6: washington, state #7: new york, state #8: new jersey, state #9: nevada, state #10: connecticut, state #11: minnesota, state #12: rhode island, state #13: maryland, state #14: arizona, state #15: colorado, state #16: new mexico, state #17: georgia, state #18: delaware, state #19: texas, state #20: new hampshire, state #21: illinois, state #22: virginia, state #23: wyoming, state #24: wisconsin, state #25: michigan, my final thoughts.

Travel Nursing | Average Salary + Benefits 2023

If you’re looking to become a travel nurse, you probably have many factors driving your decision, from a desire to help people, expand your skills, or to simply take on a new adventure. But no matter what your motivation for becoming a travel nurse, your total compensation will vary from that of a staff nurse.

There are a lot of different factors with travel nursing that affect your salary and overall pay , like the length of the contract, and your specialty. Because there are so many different factors, there is a lot of conflicting information about travel nurses’ salaries. We’ve broken things down to make it easy for you to get the facts, including what an average travel nurse’s salary is and how much you can expect to make as a travel nurse.

Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments today!

Travel Nurse Salary

A good starting place to base your travel nursing salary on is the median salary figure for a Registered Nurse in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for a Registered Nurse as of 2021 was $77,600 per year. However, because of the in-demand and transient nature of the job of a travel nurse, travel nurses can expect to make, in general, more than the average staff nurse.

For example, one survey of nurses who had found travel nursing positions using a popular employment site found that the average weekly wage of a travel nurse is $2,253 per week, which is approximately $123,198 per year. However, travel nurse salaries ranged from as low as $83,028 to as high as $182,802.

Keep in mind, though, that many travel nurses work different travel positions over the course of the year, so that figure can fluctuate based on the job’s conditions, any overtime, and the flexibility of the nurse’s schedule. Not to mention those non-taxable stipends. Your nursing specialty can also affect your total compensation as some hospitals may pay a premium for specific high-demand specialties.

Additional Travel Nursing Benefits

A travel nurse can expect some additional compensation that a staff nurse might not have access to.

1. Many travel nurses earn sign-on bonuses when signing with a travel staffing agency . 2. Travel nurses may also get referrals if they bring other nurses onto the agency to work, and receive housing and meal allotments. 3. A typical travel nursing position includes a compensation package for the nurse, which lists the base salary, as well as additional stipends, bonuses, and payments the nurse will receive for a total value that can be considerably higher than a staff nurse. That compensation may include the following:

• Housing , meal, and incidental stipends, which could cover a majority of your bills
• Travel expense reimbursement for getting to your new nursing assignment
• Reimbursement for things like your scrubs, books, or nursing supplies
• Bonuses (signing, referral, stay-on, or longevity)
• Health insurance, including dental, vision, and medical
• 401(k) benefits or other retirement options
• Life insurance options
• Certification and licensure reimbursement

In some cases, your stipends as a travel nurse will be just that — stipends, which means that you receive them no matter what. So, if you’re able to find cheaper housing, or decide to make a diet of Ramen noodles your go-to, you have the potential to pocket the extra money as well. Most of the time, these stipends are non-taxable, which means you don’t have to report them as additional income come April. You can also get tax breaks for maintaining your full-time home , which equates to extra money in your pocket overall too.

Perks of Travel Nursing You May Not Know

But it’s important to remember that although travel nursing offers a wide range of financial perks, there are so many incredible non-monetary benefits to bravely taking on a travel position!

For example, travel nursing can make you an even better nurse by exposing you to various new learning experiences in and out of the hospital. Not only are you moving to a new city or state, but you are also gaining exposure to diverse patient populations and unique hospital environments. While many career nurses work within the same unit and specialty throughout their careers, travel nurses gain exposure to as many different environments as they desire!

New clinical experiences allow travel nurses increased opportunities to learn new skills and techniques. Travel nursing may even help you better understand how to provide the highest-quality patient care more efficiently.

Here are other travel nursing perks you may not know about yet:

• Exposure to different hospital procedures and protocols
• Meet new like-minded travel nurse friends
• Build professional relationships in different hospitals and other medical facilities
• Build a more diverse resume
• Gain independence and confidence in your abilities
• Learn how to be a better team player and problem-solver
• See new places and experience different cultures
• Move to a new area without the long-term commitment
• Get out of your comfort zone and avoid career stagnation

Travel nurses get to see the nursing profession through many lenses. Who knows — maybe after your next travel assignment, you’ll take your enhanced knowledge to other healthcare facilities and wow them with your nursing prowess!

Highest Paying Cities For Travel Nursing In 2023

Some of the highest-paying cities in the country for travel nursing include the “big” cities that might pop up in your mind immediately, such as San Jose and Oakland. But there are other high-paying cities that might surprise you! According to ZipRecruiter , the top 10 highest-paid cities for travel nursing in the U.S. are:

• San Jose, CA | Annual salary: $127,092
• Jackson, WY | Annual salary: $126,283
• Oakland, CA | Annual salary: $125,751
• Vallejo, CA | Annual salary: $123,565
• Hayward, CA | Annual salary: $123,059
• Seattle, WA | Annual salary: $122,916
• Truckee, CA | Annual salary: $122,222
• Santa Barbara, CA | Annual salary: $122,180
• Sunnyvale, CA | Annual salary: $121,535
• Vail, CO | Annual salary: $121,520

See what positions are available for your specialties.

Highest Paying States For Travel Nurses 2023

You should also be aware that there are many high-paying travel nursing states as well. It is important to remember that travel nurse pay often depends on the current demand for nurses in that area, and that can change from year to year. According to ZipRecruiter , the top 10 highest-paid states for travel nursing in the U.S. this year are:

• New York | Annual salary: $105,059
• Idaho | Annual salary: $102,108
• California | Annual salary: $100,282
• New Hampshire | Annual salary: $97,185
• Vermont | Annual salary: $96,117
• Maine | Annual salary: $94,805
• Hawaii | Annual salary: $93,457
• Massachusetts | Annual salary: $93,440
• Tennessee | Annual salary: $92,503
• Wyoming | Annual salary: $91,822

How You Can Make More Money As A Travel Nurse

In addition to choosing an assignment in a high-paying location and signing with a travel agency that offers competitive rates and extra-compensation packages, there are other ways that you can earn even higher pay. For example, you could take any of the following strategies to earn an even higher travel nursing salary:

• Get additional training for an in-demand specialty. The easiest way to get training for an in-demand specialty is to seek training at the hospital where you work as a career nurse before becoming a travel nurse. Once you start traveling, it may be harder to switch specialties.
• Sign up for rapid response posting. This is when a travel nursing agency will post a position that requires a very fast turnaround to begin work, similar to being “on-call” at a staffing position.
• Work in less popular places. A lot of travel nurses like to travel to the beach in summer, but there are other areas that need help, and facilities are often willing to incentivize.
• Consider working in a strike zone. It may not be a popular choice, but hospitals that are in the middle of a strike need staffing agencies to temporarily fill nursing positions, carrying a higher wage potential for you.

Travel Nurse Salary Examples

Your total travel nurse salary will include your base pay as a nurse (the hourly wage you receive for actually working as a nurse) as well as any additional stipend pay, which may be broken down hourly, daily, weekly, or even monthly for a grand total of a “blended” pay.

As an example of how the blended pay might look, you can consider the following breakdown:

The specific compensation that you’ll receive as a travel nurse will be unique to you and will vary from contract to contract. If you have any questions regarding the pay for your contract, then ask your recruiter — you should have a complete understanding of your compensation before committing to a contract.

Travel Nurse Salary FAQs

The amount of money a travel nurse can make varies depending on several factors, including the specialty, location, part-time or full-time status, and years of experience. According to ZipRecruiter , as of February 2023, travel nurses earn a median salary of $105,818 annually or $51 an hour. However, they also report that some of the highest-earning travel nurses make as much as $185,000 every year!

Travel nursing is worth the money as long as your situation aligns with your needs, desires, and priorities. There are many perks to travel nursing, including higher pay, the opportunity to learn and grow in diverse healthcare environments, and the freedom to travel to new locations. However, some travel nurses may find travel nursing difficult. Travel nursing requires a level of bravery to move into the unknown, often alone. If you find that you have difficulty adapting to new environments or don’t want to live far from family and friends, travel nursing may not be the right choice for you.

Some nursing specialties, such as intensive care, emergency room, or operating room nursing, may have higher pay rates than others. ZipRecruiter reports that as of February 2023, some of the highest-paying travel nursing specialties include: – ICU nurse : $143,715 annually or $69/hr – Emergency room nurse : $148,531 annually or $71/hr – Operating room nurse : $181,783 annually or $87/hr Also, states and regions may offer higher pay rates if they have a greater demand for nurses at that time.

Yes! According to ZipRecruiter , as of February 2023, the median annual salary for travel nurses in the US is $118,400 or $57 per hour. The highest-paying travel nurses earn as much as $189,500 per year!

Travel nurses typically receive a base salary along with other benefits, which may include: – Stipends for housing, meal, and incidentals – Travel expense reimbursement to your new location – Reimbursement for scrubs, books, or nursing supplies – Bonuses (signing, referral, stay-on, or longevity) – Health, dental, vision, and medical insurance – 401k or other retirement options – Life insurance

Overall, travel nurse pay depends on the terms of their employment agreement. However, travel nurses can typically expect to receive various benefits and compensation packages, including housing accommodation , travel expenses, retirement benefits, medical insurance, and sometimes even certification and licensure reimbursements. In some cases, travel nurses may have to cover some of their own expenses. Or they may receive a stipend to offset their living expenses.

Travel nurses often get paid more than career nurses because they help healthcare facilities fill urgent staffing needs and maintain safe staffing levels to ensure the highest level of patient care. They’re also flexible and willing to work in a variety of locations and positions that staff nurses may not be willing to work. Hiring managers use higher pay rates, sign-on bonuses, and other incentives to attract more experienced nurses to travel to their location for a specified period of time.

Make all the right career moves!

Don't miss out on your adventure., learn more about travel nursing.

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The Ultimate Travel Nurse Salary Guide: 4 Million+ Jobs Analyzed (February 2024)

We aggregated more than 4 million travel nursing salaries from the past 4+ years. Now we're revealing pay rates and job trends nationwide in our interactive pay explorer!

Average Pay (per week) $2,142.32 Based on 2,563,583 jobs analyzed across all travel nurse specialties , nationwide

Travel nursing by month (pay and count), best travel nursing agencies 🚀.

• Highest Paying
• Access Healthcare Staffing 20,000+ jobs $153.54 above average
• Host Healthcare 50,000+ jobs $123.93 above average
• Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health) 50,000+ jobs $70.11 above average
• Aureus Medical Group 50,000+ jobs $64.53 above average
• MedPro Healthcare Staffing 50,000+ jobs -$4.96 below average
• TotalMed 50,000+ jobs -$20.51 below average
• Healthcare Staffing - IDR, Inc 20,000+ jobs -$50.98 below average
• Job Availability
• Aequor Healthcare 50,000+ jobs -$99.95 below average

Top Locations Nationwide

• California 50,000+ jobs $223.79 above average
• New York 50,000+ jobs $221.51 above average
• Massachusetts 50,000+ jobs $196.72 above average
• Illinois 50,000+ jobs $57.39 above average
• Ohio 50,000+ jobs $43.42 above average
• Washington 50,000+ jobs $29.74 above average
• Virginia 50,000+ jobs -$34.14 below average
• Texas 50,000+ jobs -$157.61 below average
• Pay is standarized to 36 hour per week.
• For agency and metropolitan area ratings, results are compared against average for specialty and state. Nationwide average pay used if no state is selected. Top paying agencies and metro areas with less than the median job count for the category are excluded.
• View all footnotes

Want to see how your travel nurse salary stacks up in this unpredictable travel nurse job market?

How about making sure you're getting the higher compensation you should be in our challenging career?

You're in the right place to get all your questions answered about travel nurse pay.

Welcome to our  interactive pay explorer - with auto-updates every month!

Since September 2019 , we've been continuously tracking travel nurse pay packages.

View our full history of pay insights using the toggle in the right-hand corner of any of our graphs in this article.

More than four million jobs analyzed and four years later, we're proud to bring you objective overviews on the travel RN job market you can't find anywhere else.

Get the full scoop in this ultimate guide:

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

• What Is An Average Travel Nurse Salary?

Why Do Travel Nurses Make So Much?

Is travel nursing worth it, get a travel nurse pay breakdown.

• The Highest Paying States for Travel Nurses
• The Highest Paying Travel Nurse Specialties
• How to Find the Highest Paying Travel Nursing Jobs

How To Find The Best Paying Travel Nurse Agencies

Do travel nurses earn more money than full-time registered nurses? Overall, definitely!

Keep in mind: Travel nurses make higher salaries on average.

Your potential average annual income will depend on demand for your nursing specialty and where you work.

The averages you see below are measured across all specialties and locations nationwide for a general comparison.

Average Travel Nurse Salary vs Staff Nurse Salary

The average hourly pay for full-time staff RN's in the U.S. is $39.05, or $1,561.92 per week, according to the most recent 2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics registered nurse occupational outlook .

The average hourly rate for travel nurses is $64.58, or $2,324.92 per week, according to our Ultimate Travel Nurse Salary Guide in September 2023.

The average hourly wage for a travel RN is $25.53 higher than staff nurse pay, and the average salary per week is $736 more .

Extrapolating to compare the average annual salary of a staff nurse vs travel rn pay, the difference is significant, with travel nurses' average annual salary reaching upwards to $30,000 more.

We calculated the average annual salary for travel nurses for only 48 weeks a year. Travel nurses need time off to organize and move to new assignments.

In short, high demand = higher compensation.

We're all aware many healthcare facilities nationwide are experiencing "nursing shortages". Registered nurses are retiring and/or leaving the bedside altogether, a trend sped up by the pandemic.

It's estimated that by 2025 the US will have a staffing gap of 200,000-450,000 nurses . In other words, 10-20% of direct-patient care nursing jobs will be unfilled.

With nursing skills like ours in high demand, we deserve higher pay. Not to mention the inherent stress we put up with in our challenging career.

Travel nurses earn more competitive wages by having the adaptable skills necessary to fill critical staffing needs and provide meaningful patient care in a pinch with minimal to no orientation.

These critical needs are often on less desirable shifts, so preparing yourself to work night shift would open up more travel nurse job possibilities.

Healthcare facilities entice nurses with more competitive wages due to the extra hardships we take on with the lack of job stability while searching for new jobs every 13 weeks. There's also the lack of a consistent job benefits package and the inconveniences of travel costs and time.

If you're looking to get more satisfaction in your nursing career, it could definitely be worth it.

It turns out it really is better to be a travel nurse than a staff nurse. A sweeping study analyzing feedback straight from our fellow nurses confirms it.

Nurses working in travel nurse jobs are more satisfied than permanent staff nurses in key areas:

• better job satisfaction
• less work-related stress
• feeling safer on the job
• more employer support
• higher compensation

Working in a travel nurse job isn't easy, but it could elevate your bedside nursing practice and give you more control in your nursing career.

You'll have to decide if the pros outweigh the cons for yourself. The standard contract is only 13 weeks, so I recommend every nurse give it a try.

Pro tip: You should definitely take the time to research what to expect before you commit to a travel nurse job.

Understanding how travel nurses' higher wages breakdown will help you compare pay offers and spot the jobs that are worth your relocation.

Travel nurses are typically hired as contracted temporary employees of travel nursing agencies, getting paid on a weekly basis to work in a variety of healthcare facilities.

The most common travel nurse contracts offered are for hospital inpatient units in a healthcare facility. These contracts usually commit you to work:

• 12 hours/shift
• 3 shifts/week
• 36 hours/week
• 13 weeks total
• 468 work hours total per contract

Our  interactive pay explorer  above standardizes all travel nurse wage data around the average 36-hour weekly pay packages.

See A Pay Package Example

Here's an average travel nurse pay package offer for a Medical-Surgical Nurse working 36 hours/week:

• $400 M&IE (Meals & Incidental Expenses) - per Week
• $3,200 Housing Stipend - per Month
• $750 Travel Reimbursement - One Time payment
• $30 Base Rate - Hourly pay rate

It's confusing!  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Let's break this offer down to view your pay per week and per hour. Convert all parts of your travel nurse wages to a standardized hourly rate, then combine to calculate.

Your "M&IE" (meals & incidental expenses) payment is meant to cover your living expenses and daily (diem) meal costs on assignment.

Your housing stipend covers your temporary housing in your assignment location. Remember you should be maintaining housing in your permanent tax home, as well.

Many travel nursing offer travel reimbursements to help offset the higher cost of life on the road.

Be aware you may have more living expenses coming out of your travel nursing paycheck, based on what employment benefits package you accept:

• Taxes based on your permanent tax home rates
• Agency health insurance - health benefits can start at $20/week
• Agency 401k retirement plans

Ask your agency what other benefits they provide and how those affect your pay package.

Taxable vs Tax Free Pay

Following on from our pay example above, your travel nurse pay is made up of a taxable hourly wage and tax free income.

Notice that more than half of this pay package is tax free pay. Ka-ching!

Your tax free stipends, or "Per Diem" pay, are based on daily maximum rates set by the government.  Check  gsa.gov's Per Diem rates  for your next contract location.

Travel nurses are eligible for Per Diem tax free stipends when working away from your permanent tax home. When receiving tax free pay you MUST duplicate living/housing expenses, required per IRS rules.

This means paying fair market prices for both your accommodation at your travel nursing assignment, AND maintaining your own housing at your permanent tax home.

Many agencies also offer travel reimbursements to help you get money back you spent on travel expenses moving between assignments.

Pro tip: You can still "travel nurse" while living in your own housing at your permanent tax home. The difference is your income will be fully taxed, and you won't be eligible for the the tax free travel nursing pay.

Highest Paying States for Travel Nurses

Which states are really worth the higher cost license fees? Our map shows the highest paying states for travel nurses over the past 12 months.

To view the highest paying states averages since  September 2019 , use the toggle in the right-hand corner of any of our graphs.

These averages would include crisis rate market fluctuations.

Highest paying states for travel nurses. Standardized to 36/hour week contracts to compare data accurately.

For more specific travel nurse salary by state, see our table below with detailed pay trends and job availability.

We've included the  standard deviation . This shows you how 68% of pay offers spread above and below the average travel RN rates.  Picture a bell curve.

For example, 68% of California travel nurse salaries are $2,537.01 +/- $681.08 = pay range of $1,855.93 - $3,218.09.

The 'job count' column gives you a snapshot of each state's job availability.

Curious what the market looked like pre-COVID19?

Below is a compilation of the states that offered the higher pay from  September 2019 - March 2020 . Compare this list to our above map and table to see what difference crisis rates made.

Top 5 Highest Paying States for Travel Nurses (Pre - Covid19)

• California Consistently has the best pay and the most jobs by a long shot. Both inside and outside of the pandemic.
• New Jersey Solid opportunities for both pay and job availability.
• Washington D.C. Great income, but fewer job openings.
• Alaska Decent pay and lots of jobs, despite reputation for low rates. Current rates lower than pre-covid19.
• Connecticut Regularly pays above average with frequent job openings.

Highest Travel Nurse Salaries by Metropolitan Area

Not sure which areas of the country pay great for travel nurses?

We've got a summary here to get you started. Get even more location-specific data on high paying opportunities using our interactive pay explorer .

Top 5 Highest Travel Nurse Salaries by Metropolitan Area

Go after high pay AND lots of job openings in these locations:

• California Holds 9 of our top 10 spots for highest-paying metro areas
• East Coast New York City-Newark, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC
• Pacific Northwest Seattle-Tacoma, Portland
• Midwest St Louis, Chicago
• Arizona Phoenix, Tuscon

Pro Tip: Investing in a California license is worth your time and money if you're looking for LOTS of high-paying job options.

Highest Paying Travel Nurse Specialties

Feast your eyes on the largest travel nursing specialty comparison available including more than  130 specialties . Our interactive table shows nationwide pay averages including  standard deviation  for you to get an accurate overview of the highest paying specialties.

We removed specialties with very low job counts and supervisory roles. This keeps our data relevant to the travel nursing specialties with high pay AND regular job availability.

For a different view, we've got an interactive bubble chart displaying the highest paying travel nurse specialties by their job availability. Hover over the bubbles to identify the specialties.

Not all nursing specialties have a regular high need for travel nurses. For example, RN's in Electrophysiology Lab (EP Lab) regularly have higher pay offerings, but don't have the plentiful job options that ICU or L&D nurses have.

Pro tip: If you aspire to work consistently as a travel nurse, gain experience in a specialty with higher job availability.

I repeat: Higher demand = Higher compensation.

How To Find the Highest Paying Travel Nursing Jobs

How can you cut through the lowball offers to find and land the best paying travel nurse salaries? We started StellarNurse to help you.

After analyzing the market for 4+ years, here's our best advice:

• Use our interactive pay explorer to check pay trends, job availability and best agencies for your specialty
• Check out the newest & highest-paying travel nursing jobs to get an objective overview on your best current opportunities
• Message agencies anonymously on our StellarNurse jobs marketplace, focus on agencies that pay best and have lots of jobs for your specialty
• Keep current state licenses for the locations that have your specialty's best pay and highest job availability
• Breakdown pay packages to weekly or hourly income to accurately compare job offers
• Prioritize high pay - above personal convenience, best locations, nicest recruiter or agency loyalty
• Move fast for Crisis or Rapid Response rate offers

In a nutshell, stay flexible. The best offers are competitive and often need help fast. Be ready to adjust plans quickly, coordinate with a new agency or arrange travel to an unexpected location.

Bonus tip: If you like your agency, tell fellow travel nurses. Make an easy $500-$1,000. Every agency offers referral bonuses if a nurse you referred works with them too.

With more than 500 agencies posting travel nursing jobs daily it’s overwhelming to find which ones might be the best travel nurse companies for you.

After analyzing 4 million jobs over the past 4 years, we’ve organized our data to help you make informed decisions on which agencies to prioritize contacting first.

Find the best paying travel nurse agencies for your specialty and preferred locations. Use the filters to see which agencies have the most jobs available.

Refer back to our interactive pay explorer for in-depth pay trends on the best travel nursing agencies for your specialty and locations.

StellarNurse answers three important questions you should consider in your travel nurse agency choices.

Which travel nurse agencies have:

• The highest paying jobs for your specialty?
• The most jobs available for your locations?
• The benefits you’re looking for?

More questions you should consider when choosing a travel nurse agency are:

• What sets this agency apart?
• What agency resources are available if you have issues?
• How responsive is this agency?

Furthermore, find unbiased reviews to guide your choices.

Since I prefer to read reviews directly from my fellow nurses, here's where I look:

Bonus tip: You can message recruiters anonymously on the StellarNurse jobs marketplace totally risk-free. Get all your questions answered before giving up your contact info.

Our Data Sources

All our data is publicly available on the named travel nursing agency's website or Google jobs listings.

Methodology

We'll be publishing more technical details on our GitHub in the near future.

Dropping the Mic 🖐🎤

We can't wait to hear your success stories - Tell us how our travel nurse salary interactive pay explorer has helped you.

Did we miss any questions you have about finding how much travel nurses can make?

Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook so we can add your requests to future updates.

Share with your registered nurse friends so they can see their earning potential too!

Your days of being underpaid are over.

Bring evidence-based practice to your job search. Land the highest paying travel nursing jobs based on objective market overviews.

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

Learn how much the average travel nurse makes in different states, how it compares to staff nursing salaries, and which specialties pay the most.

Travel nurses typically make between $81,000 and $128,000 a year and have an average annual income of $105,021.  If we dig even deeper into the data from Zip Recruiter, we see that in the United States in 2023, travel nurses earn, on average: 

• $50.49 per hour
• $2,391 per week 
• $105,021 per year

What you can make as a traveler varies by nursing specialty, location, demand, and more. Travel nurse pay typically consists of an hourly rate in addition to stipends and reimbursements for housing and living expenses. These stipends can be tax-free , adding to higher take-home pay due to lower taxation.  

With all of the factors affecting travel nurse pay- it is super important to stay up-to-date on the latest information. Pay is important. Whether you are new to the traveling world or a travel nurse veteran, it can be complicated.  

As a travel nurse, you are valuable. You bring unmatched flexibility, skill, and knowledge- and meet an essential need in today’s healthcare climate. Patients continue to receive high-quality care despite regional staffing challenges, and healthcare systems experiencing staffing crises keep functioning- because of travel nurses. 

At Trusted, we are transparent about our pay policies and work hard to ensure our travelers are always paid what they are worth. We want you to be aware of and empowered by the value you bring to patients and healthcare systems. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about travel nurse pay! 

‍How Much Do Travel Nurses Make a Year? 

According to Zip Recruiter, the average annual travel nurse pay clocks in at: 

• New York, along with other states that have a higher cost of living, tend to have the highest travel nurse salaries, averaging at $128,000 per year. 
• Other states with lower costs of living, such as Arkansas, typically clock in with an average travel nurse salary of $81,000 per year. 

Factors like how many contracts, how many weeks are worked, and how much time off you take affect your annual pay. Travel nurses are not salaried employees- travel nurses get paid an hourly wage, plus stipends and reimbursements, which vary from contract to contract.  Your specialty and location are also important factors. 

How much a travel nurse works in a year is totally up to you! Flexibility is one of the greatest benefits of being a travel nurse. While taking little time off between contracts will undoubtedly lead to more annual pay, many travelers enjoy extended periods of not working. No matter what your decision is, your Nurse Advocate at Trusted will support you. At Trusted, you will never be rushed into beginning another contract once you have finished one. Let us know what you want and when you want it, and we will help you find it! 

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make an Hour?

How much a travel nurse earns per hour varies by location, specialty, and demand. According to Zip Recruiter, the hourly average pay for travel nurses is: 

• States with a higher cost of living can have average pay rates of $61.67 per hour or more.
• States with a lower cost of living lean toward an average pay of $39.04 per hour.

Keep reading to discover how location, specialty, and need impact travel nurse pay. We’ll take a closer look at these factors later in this post. First, we want to review travel nurse pay at Trusted and ways you can maximize your take-home pay.

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make Working with Trusted Health? 

We know that we’re providing a lot of data and numbers, and that is because we want to be fully transparent with your pay information. On that note, here’s more specific data to show you what travel nurses make when they work with Trusted! 

The following graphs reflect the average gross pay (taxable and non-taxable earnings) from nurses working contracts with Trusted thus far in 2023, organized by highest paying state and specialty. This is how traveling at Trusted Health compares: 

Top Five Highest-Paid States for Travel Nurses at Trusted Health

Top five highest-paid specialties for travel nurses with trusted health.

Want more details and information? Check out our Salary Guide .  

Maximizing Your Take-Home Pay as a Travel Nurse

How much you make as a travel nurse is positively impacted by the tax benefits available for traveling professionals. Here are some of the key tax advantages of travel nursing that maximize your pay:

• Non-Taxable Stipends: Travel nurses receive tax-free stipends to cover expenses like lodging, travel reimbursement, meals, and incidentals. A traveler will often receive both a housing stipend and a daily stipend, or “per diem.” Stipends are calculated based on government-set rates specific to the location of your assignment. Stipends are meant to benefit a traveler who is duplicating living expenses while working away from home. 

Since these stipends are not considered taxable income, they can significantly increase your overall earnings.  If you have questions about whether or not you qualify for tax-free stipends, be sure to read our guide on travel taxes and check-in with your tax advisor! 

• Lower Taxable Rates: Travel nursing pay packages often combine taxable and non-taxable components. Typically, your hourly rate is taxable, and stipends are non-taxable. 

Since taxable rates for travel nurses tend to be lower than regular staff nursing rates, a smaller portion of your total salary is subject to taxation. This effectively reduces your tax liability and increases your take-home pay!

It's important to note that tax laws and regulations can be complex and subject to change. It is highly recommended to consult with a qualified tax professional or accountant specializing in travel nursing to ensure you understand and maximize your tax benefits per current regulations and your personal situation.

Factors Affecting Travel Nurse Pay

When choosing a travel nurse assignment, it's important to consider the factors that impact your pay package. We’ve mentioned specialty, location, and demand. Let’s take a closer look at how and why these factors affect your pay, plus a few more.  

1. Specialty 

Your nursing specialty is a key factor determining how much you can make as a travel nurse. The specialization and expertise required in certain areas of nursing often translate into higher compensation. Some specialties may also require travelers to take call, which also affects total pay. 

2. Location

How much travel nurses make varies across different states and cities. Just as pay varies across assignments, the cost of living does, too. Some of the highest-paying states and top-paying cities are often the most expensive to live in. When contemplating a contract, it is important to look at how much you will make there and how much you expect to spend there. 

Pay can differ from location to location based on local regulations. Stipends are calculated based on government-set rates specific to a location. A higher cost of living translates to a higher living and housing stipend for travel nurses. 

Overtime laws also vary from state to state. For example, in California, nurses often receive 1.5x their standard rate for any hours worked beyond eight in a day, with 2x their regular rate for hours above 12 in a day. In most other states, overtime pay doesn’t begin until 40 hours per week.

3. Facility Need

When the need or demand for travel nurses is high, facilities may offer premium pay rates to attract travel nurses and accommodate this high demand. This is why you will see different rates for the same travel nursing specialty at different facilities, even within the same city. Rates will fluctuate with supply and demand, and with a particular facility and unit’s level of need.  

Facility need will increase during public health crises. This occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic- when nursing shortages and the demand for nurses were at an all-time high, travel nurse pay was as well. 

Another example of this is during extreme staffing crises, such as strikes . When nurses at a facility are striking, that facility’s demand for nurses will be exceedingly high. Because of this, pay to cover striking facilities is also very high. However, strikes are often short-term in length and are unpredictable in nature. 

4. Shift Type

How much you make as a travel nurse can be affected by the shift you work.  The overall need on the shift available for you as a traveler will impact the rate offered to fill the role.  For example, a facility may have trouble fully staffing their less desired shifts, like night shifts or weekends, so they will likely offer higher pay rates to fill these staffing gaps. 

5. Choice of Agency 

As a travel nurse, one of the most critical choices that can affect how much you make is your choice of travel nurse agency. Travel nurse staffing agencies work to help match travel nurses with contracts, and some agencies have larger overhead expenses than others. Other agencies simply choose to keep more profit within the company- and these factors lead to reduced pay for their nurses. 

At Trusted, we are transparent with our pay practices, and many of our nurse advocates and staff have been travel nurses in the past. We know what it's like to be in your shoes- and you won’t find slimy, pushy recruiters or low-paying contracts here! You are our most valuable resource at Trusted, and we work hard to maximize your pay and make your travel nurse experience the best it can be.

Are You Ready to Explore High-Paying Travel Nursing Opportunities?

Sign up with Trusted today to discover exciting travel nursing opportunities and take advantage of the highest-paying jobs and tax benefits available. We offer a seamless platform to connect travel nurses with top-notch assignments tailored to their preferences and career goals, and we make this process transparent, easy, and enjoyable.  

If you value flexibility and varied experiences, travel nursing can be the key to maximizing your income. Trusted knows the value, skill, and experience that travel nurses bring to the table- and we work hard to ensure our travel nurses are paid what they are worth. Whether you're seeking higher pay, exciting experiences, or the chance to explore new locations, Trusted has got you covered!

Let's start building the life you want.

We're here to help, how much does a travel nurse make.

In the realm of nursing careers, travel nurse salaries vary based on specialty, location, and level of demand. Overall, travel nurses tend to earn more than their staff nurse counterparts.  This is particularly true in larger cities and during periods of heightened demand, such as pandemics. 

The data shows that staff registered nurses earn an average of $42.80 per hour (approximately $89,010 per year). However, travel nurses can earn around $50 per hour (on average $105,021 per year). Notably, travel nursing pay packages often include a mix of taxable and non-taxable income in the form of stipends and reimbursements, resulting in a higher take-home pay due to lower taxation.

‍ Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics & ZipRecruiter

Find your first travel nursing job with Trusted

Maximizing take-home pay with tax-free compensation.

As a travel nurse, you can enjoy tax benefits that can positively impact your take-home pay. Here are some key tax advantages associated with travel nursing:

• Non-Taxable Stipends: Travel nurses receive tax-free stipends to cover expenses like lodging, meals, and incidentals. These stipends, often referred to as "per diems," are calculated based on government-set rates specific to the location of your assignment and are meant to accommodate a traveler who is duplicating expenses while working away from home. Since these stipends are not considered taxable income, they can significantly increase your overall earnings.  If you have questions about whether or not you qualify for stipends, be sure to check in with your tax advisor! 
• Lower Taxable Rates: Travel nursing pay packages often consist of a combination of taxable and non-taxable components. Since taxable rates for travel nurses tend to be lower than regular staff nursing rates, a smaller portion of your total salary is subject to taxation. This effectively reduces your tax liability and increases your take-home pay!

It's important to note that tax laws and regulations can be complex and subject to change. It is highly recommended to consult with a qualified tax professional or accountant who specializes in travel nursing to ensure you understand and maximize your tax benefits in accordance with current regulations and your personal situation.

When choosing a travel nursing assignment, it’s important to consider other factors that can impact your pay package. Most clinical nurses are hourly employees. That means the amount of money you make is directly tied to how many hours you work (this can be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it). To understand travel nurse pay comprehensively, consider these key factors that come into play:

1. Shift Type

The choice of shift you choose to work can impact your earnings.  The need on the shift available for you to fill as a traveler will impact the rate offered to fill the role.  For example, a facility may have trouble fully staffing their less desired shifts, like night shifts or weekends, so they will likely offer higher pay rates to fill these staffing gaps. 

2. Employment Classification

Different classifications, such as staff, part-time, per diem, or travel nurse, come with varying compensation levels. While staff nurses may enjoy more consistent employee benefits, opting for per diem or travel nursing assignments can result in higher hourly compensation and enhanced flexibility. If you value flexibility and varied experience, opting for a travel nursing position can be key to maximizing your income.

Facilities may offer varying pay rates to attract professionals or accommodate short-term demand.  This is why you often see differing rates for the same travel nurse specialty at different facilities, even in the same city.  Rates do fluctuate with supply and demand as well as a particular facility and unit’s level of need. 

4. Specialty 

Nurse specialty plays a role in determining the pay of travel nurses. The level of specialization and expertise required in certain nursing specialties often translates into higher compensation.  You can find more information on specialty-based compensation within our Nursing Specialties Guide. Based on the trends that we’ve seen in Trusted travel nurse jobs over the past 2 years, these have been the top 5 highest paying specialties: 

• Pediatric Vascular Access
• Pediatric ICU  
• Operating Room  
• Labor & Delivery  

5. Location

Travel nursing pay differs across states and cities. The set stipend limits discussed above vary by city, as do laws pertaining to when overtime rates apply. For example, in California, staff nurses often receive 1.5x their standard rate for any hours worked beyond eight in a day, with 2x their regular rate for hours past 12 in a day. In many other states, overtime pay doesn’t begin until 40 hours in a week. How much money you make is only part of the equation; you also have to look at how much you can expect to spend at your travel destination. Just as travel nurse pay varies from assignment to assignment, so too does the cost of living. Often, some of the highest-paying states and top-paying cities are also the most expensive to live in. 

Top-Paying States for Travel Nurses:

‍So, where do travel nurses make the most money? We’ve listed out 5 states where travel nurse pay tends to be higher than average.  Keep in mind that travel nurse pay rates fluctuate frequently based on supply and demand and are impacted by many factors including start date, contract length, shifts per week, etc.  You’ll want to be sure to check out our Nurse Salary Explorer to compare pay between travel nurses and staff nurses in any location. 

Without further ado, here are the states with the highest average hourly pay for travel nurses! Don’t forget, these are only base rates- travelers receive tax-free stipends too! 

Average hourly rates of $61.67/hr

Experience the electric energy and endless possibilities of travel nursing in the vibrant state of New York. From the iconic streets of New York City to the scenic beauty of the Finger Lakes and Adirondack Mountains, New York also offers a diverse range of opportunities for adventure and career growth. As a travel nurse in New York, you can immerse yourself in world-class healthcare facilities, cultural landmarks, and a melting pot of diverse communities. Explore our available travel nursing jobs in New York today and embrace the excitement of the Empire State!

Average hourly rates of $52.78/hr

Embrace the sunshine and desert beauty while embarking on an exciting travel nursing journey in Arizona. Known for its awe-inspiring landscapes, including the Grand Canyon and Sedona's red rocks, Arizona offers a unique and enriching experience for travel nurses. Immerse yourself in the rich Native American culture, enjoy outdoor adventures, and discover the bustling city life of Phoenix and Tucson. Browse our available travel nursing jobs in Arizona today !

Average hourly rates of $52.77/hr

Embrace the rugged beauty of the wild west and discover travel nursing opportunities in Wyoming. From the stunning landscapes of Yellowstone National Park to the vibrant energy of Jackson Hole, Wyoming offers a unique experience for adventurous travelers. With a wide range of healthcare facilities and a high demand for nursing professionals, Wyoming provides an ideal setting to enhance your career while immersing yourself in the beauty of the great outdoors. Explore our available travel nursing jobs in Wyoming and embark on an unforgettable journey.

Average hourly rates of $52.72/hr

Indulge in the tropical paradise of Hawaii and embark on a truly extraordinary travel nursing adventure. With its stunning beaches, lush landscapes, and vibrant culture, Hawaii offers a unique experience for travel nurses seeking both professional and personal fulfillment. From the bustling city life of Honolulu to the tranquil beauty of Kaui and the Big Island, Hawaii provides an enchanting backdrop for your nursing career. Explore our available travel nursing jobs in Hawaii today and let Trusted Health guide you towards an unforgettable experience in the Aloha State.

Average hourly rates of $51.78/hr

Immerse yourself in the rich history, music, and southern charm of Tennessee. From the lively streets of Nashville, the Music City, to the scenic beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee offers a delightful blend of urban excitement and natural wonders. Experience top-notch healthcare facilities, indulge in mouthwatering cuisine, and embrace the warm hospitality of the Volunteer State. Check out our available travel nursing jobs in Tennessee !

Source: ZipRecruiter

Ready to Explore High-Paying Travel Nursing Opportunities?

Are you ready to discover exciting travel nursing opportunities and take advantage of the competitive salaries, tax benefits, and diverse nursing specialties? Trusted offers a seamless platform to connect travel nurses with top-notch assignments tailored to their preferences and career goals. Whether you're seeking higher compensation, unique experiences, or the chance to explore new locations, Trusted has got you covered!

Sign up with Trusted Health now and start your rewarding travel nursing adventure!

Travel Nursing Basics

Travel nursing in detail, browse high paying travel nursing jobs.

• Pre-Nursing
• Nursing School
• After Graduation

Travel Nurses Get the Best Salaries in These U.S. States

However close you are to graduating from nursing school, it’s always a good time to consider which specialty to get into afterward. One career path to consider is travel nursing across the US. Pay is a major factor in considering which state to work in, so stick around to find out which are the highest paying states for travel nurses.

Travel nursing has become increasingly in demand for nurses in several specialties. It’s a great option for those looking for higher-paying short-term work at various medical facilities. 

The average salary varies state by state for travel nurses based on demand and specialty. The top three highest-paying states include: Idaho ($151,203), Nevada ($149,196), and Illinois ($148,382) .

Jump to Region

• Non-Continental (AK, HI)
• West Coast (WA, OR, CA)
• West (ID, NV, MT, WY, UT, CO)
• Southwest (AZ, NM, TX, OK)
• Midwest (ND, SD, NE, KS, MN, IA, MO, WI, IL, MI, IN, OH)
• Southeast (AR, LA, KY, TN, MS, AL)
• Northeast (VT, NY, PA, WV)
• East Coast (ME, NH, MA, RI, CT, NJ, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL)

What is Travel Nursing?

If you love being on the move and don’t mind putting in long hours, then travel nursing might be the perfect job for you. You get to work in different locations across the country – keeping your skills sharp and your options open. 

Travel nurses work in different hospitals and departments, depending on where they need to fill staffing gaps. And it’s also a way to make more money than you would as a permanent employee in any one location.

Here’s how it works: you work for a few weeks or months at a medical facility, typically under a contract. Then, once your obligations are fulfilled (or your contract is up), you move on to the next place where you’re needed.

You might even not have to worry about finding an apartment – some employers take care of housing for you .

All sorts of positions are up for travel nurses — you just have to decide which ones you want. And there are so to choose from thanks to the recent rising travel nurse demand.

The COVID-19 pandemic has rocked the medical world, and as a result, it’s created one of the biggest worldwide shortages of nurses.

Hospitals and other medical facilities have struggled, and continue to struggle, to find enough staff to keep their facilities running smoothly. Because of COVID-19, travel nursing, amongst other types of temporary employment, is becoming more popular than ever before.

Travel nursing agencies have stepped in to provide temporary staffing solutions for these hospitals and other medical facilities. These agencies recruit nurses from all over the country and abroad and place them in positions at various facilities, providing them with an opportunity to earn serious money.

But you don’t need an agency if you’re considering travel nursing – travel nurses can also be independent contractors.

Average Travel Nursing Salary by State

Travel nurse salaries vary widely depending on where you work, how many hours you work per week (and whether those hours are on-call), and whether you’re working in an urban or rural area. 

That’s why we’ve put together this list of the average travel nursing salary by state. We found that the national average in the US for travel nursing is $133,540/year .

Take a look at our findings below by state using Indeed’s and ZipRecruiter’s salary database:

1. Travel Nurse Salary Alaska

Employers in Alaska pay a little more than Hawaii’s, which is just slightly below the national average.

The average base salary in Alaska is: $133,316/year.

2. Travel Nurse Salary Hawaii

Although employers in Hawaii pay less than the national average, you’ll benefit from a beautiful island location.

The average base salary in Hawaii is: $126,659/year.

3. Travel Nurse Salary Washington

Although Washington state employers pay the least out of the west coast states – it’s still a great location for work, and pays more than the national average.

The average base salary in Washington is: $141,096/year.

4. Travel Nurse Salary Oregon

As the middle state of the west coast, Oregon employers pay slightly more than Washington’s, but less than California’s.

The average base salary in Oregon is: $144,423/year.

5. Travel Nurse Salary California

With its high cost of living, it’s unsurprising that California travel nurse employers pay out the most out of the west coast states. Travel nurses are in the highest demand in California, and it’s the fourth-highest paying state in the US.

The average base salary in California is: $147,633/year.

6. Travel Nurse Salary Idaho

As the number one highest paying state for travel nurses, Idaho is the way to go if salary is your top priority.

The average base salary in Idaho is: $151,203/year.

7. Travel Nurse Salary Nevada

Lying south of the highest-paying state, Nevada is the second highest-paying state in the US for travel nurses.

The average base salary in Nevada is: $149,196/year.

8. Travel Nurse Salary Montana

Montana is a beautiful state with lots of wide-open space. The cost of living is low, and the job market is strong.

The average base salary in Montana is: $119,765/year.

9. Travel Nurse Salary Wyoming

Out of all the western states, Wyoming employers pay the least for travel nurses, and is the fifth lowest-paying state in the US.

The average base salary in Wyoming is: $101,317/year.

10. Travel Nurse Salary Utah

Utah is a great option if you want to stay on the west and make well into six figures while doing it.

The average base salary in Utah is: $126,093/year.

11. Travel Nurse Salary Colorado

Despite its high cost of living (especially in the Denver area), Colorado employers pay below the national average for travel nurses.

The average base salary in Colorado is: $118,832/year

12. Travel Nurse Salary Arizona

Arizona employers pay out the most out of southwestern states, and it’s the fifth highest paying state in the US.

The average base salary in Arizona is: $145,900/year.

13. Travel Nurse Salary New Mexico

Travel nurse employers in New Mexico pay the least out of all southwestern states, but just slightly below the national average.

The average base salary in New Mexico is: $125,036/year.

14. Travel Nurse Salary Texas

As the second highest-demand state in the US for travel nurses, there are plenty of opportunities for travel nurses in Texas. And average pay is just a hair below the national average.

The average base salary in Texas is: $132,088/year.

15. Travel Nurse Salary Oklahoma

Travel nurses in Oklahoma make close to the national average pay, but with inexpensive housing options.

The average base salary in Oklahoma is: $130,724/year.

16. Travel Nurse Salary North Dakota

The cost of living is relatively low in North Dakota, and the job market is strong, so you’ll get paid well as a travel nurse.

The average base salary in North Dakota is: $131,667/year.

17. Travel Nurse Salary South Dakota

South Dakota employers offer the second lowest salary for travel nurses in the US, but still close to six figures.

The average base salary in South Dakota is: $93,853/year.

18. Travel Nurse Salary Nebraska

Nebraska has one of the lowest rates of RN per capita in the US, and is also one of the most affordable states for housing and living expenses overall.

The average base salary in Nebraska is: $123,047/year.

19. Travel Nurse Salary Kansas

Kansas is another state with low RN rates per capita, but is also among the more affordable places to live and work as a travel nurse. 

The average base salary in Kansas is: $121,537/year.

20. Travel Nurse Salary Minnesota

The cost of living is fairly low compared to other parts of the US, but higher in the Minneapolis metro.

The average base salary in Minnesota is: $126,778/year.

21. Travel Nurse Salary Iowa

If you want a better salary and lower cost of living in the midwest, consider Iowa.

The average base salary in Iowa is: $130,292/year.

22. Travel Nurse Salary Missouri

Missouri employers pay the absolute least out of all fifty states for travel nurses, but offers a lower cost of living.

The average base salary in Missouri is: $89,983/year.

23. Travel Nurse Salary Wisconsin

Wisconsin offers some great opportunities for travel nurses looking for employment, and the cost of living is quite reasonable.

The average base salary in Wisconsin is: $144,556/year.

24. Travel Nurse Salary Illinois

Illinois is the third top state in the US for travel nurse pay, making it the highest paying state in the midwest.

The average base salary in Illinois is: $148,382/year,

25. Travel Nurse Salary Michigan

Michigan is a popular choice for travel nurses to work in, and is a great place to live – whether it’s long or short-term.

The average base salary in Michigan is: $136,707/year.

26. Travel Nurse Salary Indiana

Indiana employers pay over the national average, and this state is a great option for cost of living.

The average base salary in Indiana is: $136,082/year.

27. Travel Nurse Salary Ohio

Travel nurses can make some great pay here with opportunities in the Cleveland area.

The average base salary in Ohio is: $132,568/year.

28. Travel Nurse Salary Arkansas

Nursing salaries in Arkansas aren’t as impressive as those of other states, and there’s a good chance you’ll work in a rural area, like the Ozarks.

The average base salary in Arkansas is: $125,489/year.

29. Travel Nurse Salary Louisiana

Louisiana employers pay out the least out of the southeast states, and is the third lowest paying state in the US.

The average base salary in Louisiana is: $94,049/year.

30. Travel Nurse Salary Kentucky

Out of all southeast states, Kentucky employers pay the most – and at slightly above the national average.

The average base salary in Kentucky is: $135,604/year.

31. Travel Nurse Salary Tennessee

If you work near Memphis or Nashville, there are many opportunities available for making good money as a travel nurse.

The average base salary in Tennessee is: $126,282/year.

32. Travel Nurse Salary Mississippi

Travel nurses can still make six figures in Mississippi and benefit from low cost of living.

The average base salary in Mississippi is: $115,569/year

33. Travel Nurse Salary Alabama

Along with Mississippi, they are still plenty of travel nursing opportunities with six figure pay.

The average base salary in Alabama is: $118,602/year

34. Travel Nurse Salary Vermont

Vermont is a popular state for travelers because it offers an escape from dense city life, and offers decent pay for travel nurses.

The average base salary in Vermont is: $123,081/year

35. Travel Nurse Salary New York

Unsurprisingly with its high cost of living and population – New York state pays out the most in the northeast region, and is the fourth highest-demand state for travel nurses.

The average base salary in New York is: $145,327/year.

36. Travel Nurse Salary Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a lot to offer for travel nurses, including decent pay.

The average base salary in Pennsylvania is: $125,242/year.

37. Travel Nurse Salary West Virginia

The cost of living in West Virginia is lower than other states, so you can get more out of your travel nursing pay.

The average base salary in West Virginia is: $123,979/year.

38. Travel Nurse Salary Maine

Maine is a beautiful state with lots of natural beauty and plenty of fun things to do outside of the travel nurse workday.

The average base salary in Maine is: $127,051/year.

39. Travel Nurse Salary New Hampshire

New Hampshire is an attractive destination for travel nurses who want to make good money on the northeast coast.

The average base salary in New Hampshire is: $112,004/year.

40. Travel Nurse Salary Massachusetts

Although the average pay is on the lower end, Massachusetts overs lots of culture, especially in the Boston area.

The average base salary in Massachusetts is: $108,733/year.

41. Travel Nurse Salary Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the fourth lowest-paying state in the US for travel nurses, but still makes it in the six-figure range.

The average base salary in Rhode Island is: $100,607/year.

42. Travel Nurse Salary Connecticut

Travel nurses have great opportunities in areas like Hartford or Stamford with decent pay.

The average base salary in Connecticut is: $104,433/year.

43. Travel Nurse Salary New Jersey

New Jersey employers pay well above the national average, and is a great option for east coast travel nursing.

The average base salary in New Jersey is: $143,232/year.

44. Travel Nurse Salary Delaware

Even though it’s small, Delaware has big opportunity for travel nurse positions and pay.

The average base salary in Delaware is: $140,952/year.

45. Travel Nurse Salary Maryland

Although housing can be tough to lock down on, Maryland is a great travel nurse option with above national average pay.

The average base salary in Maryland is: $142,848/year.

46. Travel Nurse Salary Virginia

Virginia offers beautiful scenery and great culture for those wanting to practice as a travel nurse.

The average base salary in Virginia is: $126,990/year.

47. Travel Nurse Salary North Carolina

North Carolina is the fifth highest-demand state for travel nurses, offering just above the national average salary.

The average base salary in North Carolina is: $134,667/year.

48. Travel Nurse Salary South Carolina

Although South Carolina employers offer less than North Carolina’s, it’s still a great option for southeast coast travel nursing.

The average base salary in South Carolina is: $125,152/year.

49. Travel Nurse Salary Georgia

Georgia employers offer close to the national average pay for travel nurses with lower cost of living. 

The average base salary in Georgia is: $131,958/year.

50. Travel Nurse Salary Florida

Last, but not least – Florida is the third highest-demand state for travel nurses, and offers decent pay.

The average base salary in Florida is: $129,859/year.

Highest Paying Travel RN Jobs to Look for

For registered nurses (RNs), these are the top paying jobs to consider if you’re getting into travel nursing. Salaries are based on a national average and vary from state to state.

Operating Room RN

An operating room registered nurse (OR RN) is responsible for ensuring the safety of patients during surgical procedures. 

This can include everything from monitoring the patient’s vital signs, to administering anesthesia, and keeping track of instruments and equipment used throughout the procedure.

The average base pay for an OR RN is: $168,184

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) RN

An Intensive Care Unit registered nurse (ICU RN) provides advanced medical care and life support to critically ill patients. 

They work with physicians to ensure that their patients receive the best possible care and treatment, including helping them determine when it’s time to transfer out of the ICU into regular inpatient care.

The average base pay for an ICU RN is: $156,837

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) RN

A Post-Anesthesia Care Unit registered nurse (PACU RN) provides support after a patient has been put under general anesthesia during surgery or other medical procedure. 

This includes monitoring their vital signs, ensuring they’re breathing normally, and administering pain medication if needed.

The average base pay for a PACU RN is: $154,402

Emergency Room RN

An Emergency Room registered nurse (ER RN) provides emergency medical care to patients who need it immediately after being brought into an ER facility by ambulance or other means. 

They check vitals, give any necessary medications, perform tests on them (such as x-rays), and more — the list goes on. ER nurses also help coordinate patient transfers between facilities when necessary.

The average base pay for a PACU RN is: $151,634

Check out our other breakdown of nurse base pay per position . 

Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career with Us

There’s a lot of monetary and career opportunity waiting for nursing students, like you. after graduation. Travel nursing is a great option for those looking for higher-paying short-term work at various medical facilities. And it’s important to keep salary expectations at top of mind.

But the first step into a travel nursing career is acing your classes and exams.

You’ll need more than lecture notes to help – SimpleNursing offers comprehensive resources specifically for nursing students.

Invest in a study tool that will help you carry you beyond graduation.

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Travel nurses' pay, state by state

The average weekly travel nurse pay in November in the U.S. was $3,204, down 16.32 percent from $3,829 during the same month in 2021, according to a report from Vivian Health, a national healthcare hiring marketplace.    

While this is among the largest year-over-year decreases Vivian Health has seen in 2022, travel pay rates increased from October to November in many states.

Vivian Health told  Becker's  that the 'tridemic' is a likely contributor to the growth.

"As states begin to grapple with increased infections and hospitalizations of RSV, flu and COVID cases, travel pay has increased alongside increased case rates," the healthcare hiring marketplace said.

As of Dec. 7, there were 850,468 active travel nurse jobs on the Vivian Health platform nationwide in the last 90 days.

Here is a breakdown of average weekly travel nurse pay (November 2022 compared to October 2022), state by state:

October: $2,470

November: $2,558

October: $3,359

November: $3,310

October: $2,988

November: $3,154

October: $2,701

November: $2,958

October: $3,811

November: $4,060

October: $2,928

November: $3,027

Connecticut

October: $3,285

November: $3,267

October: $3,124

November: $3,054

October: $2,487

November: $2,600

October: $2,804

November: $2,815

October: $3,060

November: $3,102

October: $2,843

November: $3,038

October: $3,130

November: $3,237

October: $3,145

November: $3,203

October: $2,970

November: $3,169

October: $2,649

November: $2,668

October: $2,889

November: $2,975

October: $2,765

November: $2,801

October: $3,377

November: $3,374

October: $3,069

November: $3,266

Massachusetts

October: $3,368

November: $3,505

October: $2,831

November: $3,123

October: $3,246

November: $3,458

Mississippi

October: $2,563

November: $2,603

October: $2,815

November: $2,963

October: $2,832

November: $2,868

October: $3,114

November: $3,150

October: $3,111

November: $3,199

New Hampshire

October: $3,105

November: $3,304

October: $3,529

November: $3,894

October: $2,943

November: $3,115

October: $3,206

November: $3,406

North Carolina

October: $2,908

November: $2,978

North Dakota

October: $3,265

November: $3,181

October: $2,982

November: $3,086

October: $2,637

November: $2,612

October: $3,311

November: $3,424

Pennsylvania

October: $3,440

Rhode Island

October: $3,131

November: $3,148

South Carolina

October: $2,655

November: $2,728

South Dakota

October: $3,222

November: $3,343

October: $2,623

November: $2,733

October: $2,673

November: $2,750

October: $2,802

November: $2,797

October: $3,382

November: $3,451

October: $2,987

November: $3,080

October: $3,230

November: $3,293

Washington, D.C.

October: $3,553

November: $3,504

West Virginia

October: $3,134

November: $3,330

October: $2,985

November: $3,184

October: $3,346

November: $3,321

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• What Is the Average Travel Nurse Salary? (2023)

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average travel nurse salary in 2023 sits at about $51 per hour . That’s significantly higher than the average hourly rate of registered nurses, which is about $38 per hour. 

For most travel nurses, this rate translates to a weekly wage of about $1,800. Although most travel nurses make about $88,320 in average annual salary, some can earn upwards of $100,000.

Your exact take-home annual pay will depend on factors like the hours put in, bonuses, travel reimbursements, housing allowances, and more.

• Hourly Average Wage – $51 
• Weekly Average Wage – $1,800
• Average Annual Salary – $88,320

What Benefits Do Travel Nurses Get?

A travel nurse’s pay package comprises tons of extra benefits that may range from insurance covers, bonuses, travel reimbursements, housing allowances, free CEUs, and more. 

Here’s a quick look into the most common travel nurse benefits:

Travel Reimbursements

Owing to the ‘nomadic’ nature of their job, employers offer travel nurses a tax-free travel reimbursement to cover their travel costs to different towns, states, and in some cases, other countries to undertake their assignments.

The most common bonuses in travel nursing are sign-on, completion, retention, and sometimes referral bonuses.

As a result of the high demand for nurses, most travel nursing agencies pay travel nurses:

• Sign-on bonuses when they undertake an assigned task. 
• Completion bonuses when they finish the task. 
• Retention bonuses to lure them into undertaking more tasks with a particular travel nurse agency .

Free Private Housing

It’s no news that housing can get pricey in most US cities and towns. With this, travel nurses receive a stipend from their employers to get accommodation near the healthcare facilities they work.

Free housing can either come as a physical residence or a remittance to get your accommodation

Insurance Covers

A travel nurse’s job suggests more professional risk and living expenses. To lessen this weight, travel nurses receive relatively broader insurance coverages, e.g., health, life insurance, vision, and dental covers. 

Plus, many travel nurses get a retirement plan option, usually the 401(k) cover.

What Are the Best Places to Work as a Travel Nurse in the USA?

Yes. Your travel nurse wage is highly dependent on the state and city you work. 

For example, California is a haven for travel nurses for its massive population, many healthcare facilities, high demand for nurses, and in turn, higher average travel nurse salaries. 

Other states with low nurse demand, like South Dakota, may not work out great for travel nurses. 

Depending on the time of the year, too, some states can be viable options for travel nurses. For instance, states that experience harsh winters can be a boon for nurses that may not mind relocating there during winter. 

The highest paying states may include states where there are nursing shortages. 

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities for a Travel Nurse

Top 5 highest paying states for a travel nurse, what are the highest paying travel nursing specialties today.

Of course, not all travel nurses make the same amount of money. And nursing specialty is one of the key factors that determine how much money a travel nurse makes.

Related Article: How much can I make being an ICU Traveling Nurse?

Pro Tips: How Can I Increase My Pay as a Travel Nurse?

Depending on the employer, most high-earning travel nurses use a combination of hacks and tips to make more money. Don’t worry; I’m here to guide you through them. 

Register With Multiple Agencies

Opting to work with multiple travel nursing agencies means you get to gauge and choose agencies that offer the best rates possible in specific areas. 

However, remember to stay cordial with every travel nursing agency you’re enrolled in, even if you turn down their offers.

Work Per Day, Pick Extra Shifts

Most travel nurses get hourly pay. However, some employers offer a per diem option, which generally tends to be a higher pay compared to hourly rates. While at it, you might also want to pick up extra shifts when you have some downtime.

Take On High-Demand/Rapid Response/Crisis Tasks

Well, a high-demand travel nursing assignment may need more effort. As a result, employers and local hospitals offer higher compensation for travel nurses willing to take on such tasks.

Specialize in an Area

Specialized travel nurses have better bargaining power and can demand better rates. To earn more and additional benefits, carve a travel nurse niche for yourself and explore broader possibilities in the labor market.

Work Towards Multiple State Licenses

Think of it like spreading your odds: the more state licenses you have, the more areas you can work. Most healthcare staffing agencies allow nurses to continue their education online for free to acquire multiple licenses.

Travel Nurse Salary: Conclusion

A travel nursing career is undeniably an excellent avenue to earn more money as a nurse while still getting to visit new, cool places. The average annual salary of a travel nurse is usually higher than the average salaries of other RNs.

Registered nurses, nurse practitioners, or LPNs can use travel nursing as an easy way to build up their resume, with tons of experience and skills gained from working in other healthcare facilities in different parts of the country. 

Better still, the short-term nature of travel nurse assignments also helps kill the monotony that may come with working at a single health station for years.

• What Is Travel Nursing?
• Managing Stress When You’re A Traveling Nurse
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Travel Nurse Salary in United States

How much does a travel nurse make.

As of April 24, 2024, the average annual pay of Travel Nurse in the United States is $83,197. While Salary.com is seeing that Travel Nurse salary in the US can go up to $100,434 or down to $67,947, but most earn between $75,215 and $92,220. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills , and your experience levels . With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

View Travel Nurse Salary by Hour, Week, Month, Year

Salary.com provides you with accurate and diversified Travel Nurse salary data based on specialized databases to help you get a fairer salary. Click the switch button below to see more details about Travel Nurse hourly pay, weekly pay, monthly pay and so on.

• Paid Annually
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Travel Nurse RN - Med Surg - $2,080 per week

Travel Nurse RN - Labor and Delivery - $2,080 per week

Travel Nurse RN - ICU - Intensive Care Unit - $2,954 per week

Travel Nurse RN - ICU - Intensive Care Unit - $2,179 per week

View Travel Nurse Salary by Experience Levels

An entry-level Travel Nurse with no related experience makes about $80,142. With less than 2 years of experience, a mid-level Travel Nurse makes around $80,379. After 2-4 years, the Travel Nurse pay rises to about $83,418. Those senior Travel Nurse with 5-8 years of experience earn roughly $87,169, and those Travel Nurse having 8 years or more experience are expected to earn about $87,437 on average.

Best Paying States for Travel Nurse

The states and districts that pay Travel Nurse the highest salary are District of Columbia (around $92,599) , California (around $91,767) , New Jersey (around $91,184) , Alaska (around $90,602) , Massachusetts (around $90,519), Washington (around $89,687), Connecticut (around $89,354).

Highest Paying Cities for Travel Nurse

The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the Travel Nurse profession are San Jose,CA, San Francisco,CA, Oakland,CA, New York,NY, Queens Village,NY, Paramus,NJ, Passaic,NJ, Bergenfield,NJ, Stamford,CT, and Huntington,NY.

Best-Paid Skills and Qualifications for Travel Nurse

What skills does a travel nurse need.

Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

Planning: An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.

Nursing Process: The nursing process is a modified scientific method. Nursing practise was first described as a four-stage nursing process by Ida Jean Orlando in 1958.

Long Term Care: Long-term care (LTC) is a variety of services which help meet both the medical and non-medical needs of people with a chronic illness or disability who cannot care for themselves for long periods. Long term care is focused on individualized and coordinated services that promote independence, maximize patients' quality of life, and meet patients' needs over a period of time. It is common for long-term care to provide custodial and non-skilled care, such as assisting with normal daily tasks like dressing, feeding, using the bathroom. Increasingly, long-term care involves providing a level of medical care that requires the expertise of skilled practitioners to address the multiple chronic conditions associated with older populations. Long-term care can be provided at home, in the community, in assisted living facilities or in nursing homes. Long-term care may be needed by people of any age, although it is a more common need for senior citizens.

View Travel Nurse Salary Trends

For those exploring the changing dynamics of Travel Nurse salaries, Salary.com offers detailed insights through our Job Trending in CA Labor Market analysis. Our research highlights a notable shift in Travel Nurse compensation over the past six years. For instance, the median salary has moved from $73,508 in 2023 to about $74,140 in 2024 ( for a comprehensive analysis of Travel Nurse salary trends, click here ). It's crucial to consider several elements, including geographical location, experience level, industry demand, and economic development, as they play a significant role in influencing salary variations.

Average Annual Salary of Travel Nurse Over Time

Travel nurse salary by year, view salaries of jobs related to travel nurse, what are people talking about travel nurse salaries.

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Faqs regarding travel nurse, 1. what is the average salary of a travel nurse.

The average annual salary of Travel Nurse is $83,197. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Travel Nurse is $40; the average weekly pay of Travel Nurse is $1,600; the average monthly pay of Travel Nurse is $6,933.

2. What does a Travel Nurse do?

Travel Nurse provides professional nursing care to assigned patients. Records patient histories, performs various diagnostic tests, administers medications, and develops patient care plans in conjunction with other medical professionals. Being a Travel Nurse assists physicians during examinations and procedures, operating and monitoring medical equipment as necessary. Observes patients' progress and records observations in patient medical records. Additionally, Travel Nurse promotes patients' independence by teaching patients and families to understand conditions, medications, and self-care skills. May require a bachelor's degree in nursing. Requires a valid state Registered Nurse (RN) license. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. The Travel Nurse occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. To be a Travel Nurse typically requires 2-4 years of related experience.

3. What’s typical Career Path for Travel Nurse?

A career path is a sequence of jobs that leads to your short- and long-term career goals. Some follow a linear career path within one field, while others change fields periodically to achieve career or personal goals.

For Travel Nurse, the first career path typically progresses to Head Nurse - CCU.

The second career path typically progresses to Maternity Services Director.

The third career path typically progresses to Head Nurse - Emergency Room.

Additionally, the fourth career path typically starts with a Head Nurse - Intensive Care Unit position, and then progresses to Head of Intensive Care Unit.

4. Where can a Travel Nurse earn the most?

A Travel Nurse's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Travel Nurse earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Travel Nurse is $104,413.

5. What is the highest pay for Travel Nurse?

The highest pay for Travel Nurse is $100,434.

6. What is the lowest pay for Travel Nurse?

The lowest pay for Travel Nurse is $67,947.