travel nurse minimum salary

2024 Travel Nurse Salary + Job Outlook

Travel nurses work in specific locations for limited and usually predetermined timeframes of anywhere from 13 to 16 weeks. Though they may work in any type of facility – hospitals, doctors’ offices, and long-term care facilities – they get to choose where they work, which helps prevent boredom. Travel nurses also earn handsome salaries that rival the average salaries of BSN-educated registered nurses (RNs). Here, you will learn more about the average travel nurse salary and what you can expect if you choose this exciting career path.

How Much Does a Travel Nurse Make?

Salary for different types of travel nurses, what other benefits will you receive as a travel nurse, how to boost your travel nurse salary, 10 best states to work for travel nurses + salary, travel nurse salary by state – highest to lowest, travel nurse salary by city, what are the 10 best travel nursing agencies to work for in the united states, what does the future look like for travel nursing jobs.

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How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

Average Pay for Travel Nurses

Travel nursing pay explained, highest and lowest paying states for travel nurses.

• Highest Paying Travel Nurse Specialties
• Ways to Increase Pay

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Travel nursing offers a unique work experience with the opportunity to earn above-average hourly wages. These wages may even exceed those of other registered nurses (RNs) with the same education and credentials.

Travel nurses are typically employed by travel nursing agencies and work assignments across the country wherever nurses are needed. Because each assignment is different, the total annual income for travel nurses can vary significantly. Factors include the details of the pay package, where the assignment is located, and nursing specialty.

On this page you will find the most recent information about travel RN salaries, benefits, specialties, and the states with a high demand for travel nurses.

Fast Facts About Travel Nurses

• Travel nurses generally earn as much or more than staff nurses with the same experience and qualifications.
• Lodging reimbursement and tax advantages impact travel nursing salaries.
• The most in-demand travel nursing specialties include labor and delivery, emergency room, and medical-surgical/telemetry.

The average travel nurse salary varies greatly depending on the work assignment. Depending on travel location, these practitioners can earn between $3,000 and $7,000 per week, averaging a 36-hour work week. According to Vivian , a healthcare jobs marketplace, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), travel nurses earn jan average of $2,183 per week, while RNs earn a mean hourly wage of $42.80. However, aspiring travel nurses should note that living on the road leads to additional personal expenses, so the increase in pay accounts for living accommodations.

Max Weekly Pay

Average Total Weekly Pay

Source: Vivian , September 2023

Travel nurse pay differs from full-time nursing positions because agencies offer hourly rates for each assignment, meaning RNs can shop around and find opportunities with ideal pay. In contrast, RNs working full time at hospitals, physicians’ offices, and other facilities usually rely on raises or additional education to increase their earning potential.

Practitioners considering this role also need to explore what take-home pay looks like for travel nurses . Nursing agencies set their own conditions, so pay packages vary. For instance, organizations may offer an hourly base pay with additional stipends to cover housing or meals, while other companies may offer a higher hourly rate to account for additional expenses.

Travel nurse salaries vary by state and region. Locations in need of RNs typically offer more competitive wages. In fact, the popularity of a particular region can influence travel nurses’ earning potential. Less popular locations may pay more, while desirable locations may pay less. Likewise, states with a higher cost of living offer higher wages relative to living costs.

According to 2023 data from Vivian, the top-paying states for travel RNs included New Jersey , California, and Alaska. Practitioners also want to consider the highest-paying specialties to determine earning potential which may vary by state. The following section includes the top specialties in demand.

Highest Paying Travel Nurse Specialities

Typically, nursing specialties that lack licensed practitioners offer more pay than other specialties, which further increases earning potential for travel nurses. Higher acuity facilities also offer higher pay, as they need skilled practitioners who can meet their patients’ needs. Here are five in-demand specialties for travel nurses.

Labor and Delivery

Emergency room, medical-surgical/telemetry, critical care – intensive care unit, operating room registered nurse, 4 ways to increase pay as a travel nurse.

While travel nurse pay may exceed traditional full-time RN salaries, travel nurses can additionally increase their earning potential by considering factors like demand for specialties, understaffed or unpopular shifts, and locations in need of skilled RNs.

Travel nurses should examine the full benefits package to determine if jobs can provide sufficient take-home pay. For instance, regions with a high cost of living may impact how much practitioners actually earn if stipends do not cover all costs.

Frequently Asked Questions: Travel Nursing Salaries

How much does a traveling nurse make per year.

Travel nurse salaries vary significantly, especially since the outbreak of COVID-19. Factors that can influence earning potential include geographic location and specialty. However, travel RNs should anticipate working 46 weeks a year and earning about $2,183 on a weekly basis .

Do travel nurses get paid more?

Travel nurses typically earn more than full-time salaried RNs because they often take job assignments where there is a nursing shortage. Travel nurse agencies also pay practitioners by the hour and offer additional benefits, including housing and meal stipends.

Is travel nursing worth the money?

Travel nurses generally earn more than salaried RNs. However, practitioners should consider their lifestyle as well. For instance, an RN with a family may not feel the additional pay outweighs time at home, while another practitioner may find the pay suitable and enjoy the travel opportunities.

Do travel nurses get time off?

Travel nurses often do not receive time off since they work hourly and take temporary job assignments. While assignments vary, travel nurses should plan to work for 8-26 weeks at a time. Most travel nurses schedule time off between job assignments.

Learn More About Travel Nurses

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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) $2,169.13 Based on 2,386,114 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 $155.90 above average
• Host Healthcare 50,000+ jobs $106.53 above average
• Aureus Medical Group 50,000+ jobs $75.58 above average
• Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health) 50,000+ jobs $64.39 above average
• MedPro Healthcare Staffing 50,000+ jobs -$12.71 below average
• TotalMed 50,000+ jobs -$12.76 below average
• Healthcare Staffing - IDR, Inc 20,000+ jobs -$62.15 below average
• Job Availability
• Aequor Healthcare 50,000+ jobs -$88.38 below average

Top Locations Nationwide

• New York 50,000+ jobs $236.59 above average
• California 50,000+ jobs $226.24 above average
• Massachusetts 50,000+ jobs $201.51 above average
• Illinois 50,000+ jobs $50.19 above average
• Ohio 50,000+ jobs $47.14 above average
• Washington 50,000+ jobs $39.62 above average
• Virginia 50,000+ jobs -$40.38 below average
• Texas 50,000+ jobs -$159.23 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.

Travel Nurse Salary Guide: How Much Travel Nurses Make In 2023?

• Last Updated: July 28, 2023

Travel nursing is a popular career path for registered nurses looking for flexibility, adventure, and higher pay rates. Travel nurses work on temporary assignments in healthcare facilities across the country, filling in gaps in staffing and providing patient care. 

One of the key benefits of travel nursing is the potential for higher salaries than permanent nursing positions, with many travel nursing assignments offering additional incentives such as travel reimbursement and housing allowances. However, the pay rates for travel nurses can vary significantly depending on various factors, including specialty, location, and experience level. 

This article will provide a comprehensive guide to travel nurse salaries, including average pay rates across different specialties, top-paying states, and ways to increase your salary. If you are interested to learn more specifics as to how much a travel nurse makes an hour, follow the guide below.

Table of contents

What is a travel nurse, lowest- and highest-paying states for travel nurses, salary based on the different types of travel nurses, salary based on experience, career outlook for travel nurses, benefits you will receive as a travel nurse, ways you can increase your travel nurse salary, what’s the bottom line.

A travel nurse is a healthcare professional who works on a temporary basis in various healthcare facilities across different locations. Travel nurses are highly skilled and experienced, often working in critical care units or other specialized areas of nursing. 

The role of a travel nurse is to provide temporary staffing support in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities, usually for a period of 13 weeks or longer. The facility may hire them directly or work through an agency specializing in travel nursing assignments. 

Travel nurses enjoy a high degree of flexibility, as they can choose their assignments based on location, specialty, and contract length. In addition to competitive salaries, travel nurses often receive benefits such as housing, travel expenses, and health insurance. 

This career path is ideal for those who love to travel and want to gain experience working in different healthcare settings.

Travel Nurse Salary in 2023

The salary of a travel nurse may vary depending on a few factors, such as location, experience, and specialty. According to recent data, the average annual salary for travel nurses in the U.S. is $106,030 or $51/hr . However, the salary range can vary widely on the factors mentioned above, with the lowest salary reported at $31,000 and the highest at $179,500.

Location plays a significant role in a travel nurse’s salary. The cost of living and demand for healthcare services vary significantly from state to state and even within cities, which can substantially impact a travel nurse’s compensation. But how much do travel nurses make in each state?

Below you can find the list of states with the lowest travel nurse salaries . The list goes as follows: 

• Texas $87,843
• Nebraska $85,776
• Idaho $85,262
• Kentucky $82,639
• North Carolina $81,884
• Arkansas $81,209

Conversely, the average travel nurse salary in some states exceeds $100,000. More specifically, New York is the highest paying state for travel nurses, reaching up to $104,675, followed by Idago with $102,559, and California with $100,323.

Now that we have covered the highest and lowest paying states for travel nurses, let’s see what city travel nurses make the most money in. The first in the list of the best cities for travel nurses to make the most money is Barrow, AK, with $137,200, followed by San Jose, CA, with $133,873, and Oakland, CA, and Antioch, CA, with $132,042 and $129,387 respectively. 

Travel nurse salaries can vary based on their specialty, as some specialties require more experience, skill, and demand, resulting in higher pay rates. To provide an idea of the highest-paying travel nurse specialties, we have listed the average annual salary for each specialty in 2023:

Experience plays a crucial role in determining the salary of a travel nurse. In most cases, the more experience a travel nurse has, the higher their pay will be. 

Experienced travel nurses possess valuable skills and knowledge which can benefit the healthcare facilities they work for. As a result, many employers are willing to pay a higher salary to attract and retain experienced travel nurses.

In addition, experienced travel nurses often have a deeper understanding of their specialties and can handle complex cases with greater ease. This means they can work more independently, which is particularly valuable in rural or remote locations where staffing may be limited. Moreover, experienced travel nurses have often worked in various healthcare settings, making them adaptable and able to easily handle new situations. 

According to Zippia , travel nurses with entry-level experience earn an average annual salary of $66,600, whereas mid-level experienced travel nurses have an average annual salary of $83,700. Lastly, senior-level travel nurses can expect to earn an average annual salary of over $115,000.

The career outlook for travel nurses is positive, with increasing demand for their services in various healthcare settings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the employment of registered nurses, including travel nurses, will grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031. 

This growth is due to an aging population that requires more healthcare services, a greater emphasis on preventive care, and advances in medical technology that allow patients to receive care outside of traditional hospital settings. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted the need for more healthcare workers, including travel nurses, to assist with sudden surges in patient volume. Overall, travel nursing offers an exciting and rewarding career path with considerable growth and professional development opportunities.

Travel nursing comes with a range of benefits that make it an attractive career choice:

• Travel nurses have the opportunity to work in different healthcare settings, which allows them to broaden their skills and experience.
• Travel nurses typically earn higher salaries than their permanent counterparts, and many travel nursing assignments offer additional incentives, such as sign-on bonuses, travel reimbursements, and housing allowances.
• Travel nurses often have greater flexibility in their work schedule, allowing them to take time off between assignments to pursue personal interests or spend time with family. Travel nursing also enables nurses to explore new cities and regions, providing a unique cultural experience.

Overall, travel nursing offers numerous benefits, making it an appealing career path for many nurses.

There are several ways that a travel nurse can increase their salary, such as:

• Specializing in a high-demand area: Consider specializing in an area with a high demand for travel nurses, such as intensive care or emergency departments. Specializing in a high-demand area can increase your value as a travel nurse, leading to higher-paying job offers.
• Gaining more experience in their specialty: They can achieve this by taking on challenging assignments and pursuing advanced certifications.
• Negotiating higher pay rates when signing on for new assignments: This may involve researching typical salaries for their specialty in the location they will be working and negotiating with their agency or employer.
• Taking on additional responsibilities: More responsibilities at work, such as precepting new staff or taking on leadership roles, can lead to increased compensation.
• Traveling to higher-paying locations: Travel nurses can seek assignments in high-demand areas where pay rates may be higher due to a staff shortage.

In conclusion, travel nursing can be a rewarding and lucrative career path for registered nurses who enjoy new challenges and experiences. While the pay rates for travel nurses can vary depending on multiple factors, including expertise and location, there are many ways to increase your salary as a travel nurse, such as gaining experience in your specialty, negotiating for higher pay rates, taking on additional responsibilities, and more. 

It’s essential to do your research on typical pay rates for your specialty in different locations and to work with a reputable travel nursing agency that can provide you with competitive pay rates and additional benefits. With the right approach, travel nursing can offer you a fulfilling career and a comfortable lifestyle while exploring new places and meeting new people. 

Don’t wait any longer to start living your best life as a travel nurse. Take charge of your career and find your next high-paying placement in a desirable location today! 

Nurse Luke is a CRNA who specializes in Nursing content and still enjoys a very busy career with Locum, Per Diem and Travel nursing in the greater midwest. He has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare field and received his CRNA masters degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Healthcare. He is passionate about helping nurses explore the options of becoming a travel nurse as well as spending time with his Family. 

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Home / Nursing Careers & Specialties / Travel Nurse

Travel Nurse

What is a travel nurse, how to become a travel nurse, travel nurse faqs, what does a domestic or international travel nurse do, travel nurse salary and employment, helpful organizations, societies, & agencies.

Travel nurses are RNs from various clinical backgrounds who work for independent staffing agencies. They are assigned to different care areas on a temporary basis to fill in short-term employment gaps.

Travel nursing is a specialty that took root when the field of nursing faced a nationwide shortage. Hospitals, clinics, and other care areas had unfilled positions, yet had patients needing care. To try and attract nurses to the open positions, employers offered higher pay, housing, and covered the cost of relocating.

Due to these shortages, health care facilities have vacancies that need to be filled—and travel nurses are often the ones to fill open positions. Not only do travel nurses work in health care in any state in the country, but they also work outside of the United States as international travel nurses. The adventure and excitement of new opportunities, along with higher-than-average pay, are facets of travel nursing that many RNs find attractive.

Why Are Travel Nurses Important?

Travel nurses are an important part of the health care team because they help bridge the gap between supply and demand in the field of nursing. Mandatory nurse-patient ratios have led to increased patient safety and lower patient mortality . While this is a positive finding, and more and more states are passing legislation to implement staffing ratios, there are not enough nurses to fill the openings. Travel nurses assigned those open positions help to increase patient safety and improve patient outcomes.

Additionally, nurses from different educational backgrounds, care areas, and geographic locations bring a great deal to the practice of nursing. Sharing ideas and practices not only benefits patients, but also other nurses.

A travel nurse should have the following characteristics to excel in the role:

• Enjoys experiencing new cities, towns, and organizations
• Enjoys freedom. Travel nurses choose when and where they work, and choose their duration of employment
• Enjoys flexibility. Travel nurses create their schedules, benefits packages, and income based on which agency they choose to work
• Thrives on challenges. Moving to different states or overseas and being “the new nurse” repeatedly is challenging. Learning new organizational systems and workflows is particularly challenging
• Loves learning new things. Each assignment takes travel nurses to new health care facilities, some with higher levels of technology or different standards of practice. Each experience helps nurses build upon their knowledge base

Additionally, travel nurses should have supportive families and friends. It's difficult to either pack up and move an entire family or leave your family and friends behind. The flip side to this is that new relationships are formed in each new location.

What Are the Educational Requirements for Travel Nurses?

Those interested in the specialty of travel nursing should first pursue a nursing degree through a two or four-year university. Obtaining an associate's degree ( ADN ) or bachelor's degree ( BSN ) in nursing is required. A BSN is not required to be a travel nurse, but some health care facilities only hire BSN-prepared nurses. The staffing agency in which the nurse is employed should match the nurse appropriately based on educational requirements.

After completion of an accredited nursing program, successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is required for licensure.

Most travel nurse agencies require a minimum of one year of hands-on experience in the chosen specialty of nursing. Additionally, some agencies will only hire BSN-prepared RNs. International travel nurses should speak the language of the country they are to practice in, as communication is an important part of effective healthcare delivery. Nurses are encouraged to research agencies when considering travel nursing.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

No additional exams are required for travel nursing. Based on the specialty, certification(s) may be required. Examples include:

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) may be required
• Stroke care certification
• Telemetry certification
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Critical care nursing (adults, pediatric, neonatal)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) may be required
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) certification

Additional specific requirements may be necessary for international travel nurses. These include:

• Acquiring a passport and work visa (usually handled by the agency)
• Additional immunizations
• Learning a new language
• Learning about diseases unique to the area

How Can a Travel Nurse Receive a Tax-Free Housing Stipend?

Housing is one of the most significant concerns for a travel nurse. There are a few options available, and it depends on the travel nurse agency/company regarding how accommodations are set up. Some companies provide housing (i.e., apartment, duplex, etc.). Some companies offer a housing stipend, or a fixed amount of money each month to apply towards housing.

First, nurses need to be aware of where their “tax home” is, as stipends are tax-free if working away from the tax home. Having a tax home is necessary to receive tax-free housing. A "tax home" is defined as the general vicinity of an individual's primary place of work (regardless of where the primary residence is). Generally, the IRS considers someone traveling away from home (i.e., their "tax home") if it exceeds one workday.

Different travel nurse agencies offer different stipends - it’s important to research what the living expenses are in a specific area to ensure housing is adequately covered. The General Services Administration (GSA) lists the maximum daily amount for lodging, meals, and incidentals with regards to travel expenses . The key word is MAXIMUM. It's not required that a company pay employees the listed stipend. In fact, some travel nurse agencies offer higher hourly wages instead of housing stipends. Additionally, the GSA rates are based on short-term travel - usually less than a month. Travel nurse contracts can last three months or more.

Are Nursing Licenses Valid When Traveling and Working in Other States?

Those interested in travel nursing may have questions about licensing; specifically, how are licenses recognized if practicing in another state.

Depending on the state, new licensure is not necessary. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) developed the Nurse Licensure Compact which is an agreement between specific states to recognize nursing licenses without having to apply separately for licensure in another state. In other words, a nurse living in a "compact state" (one which is part of this agreement) can practice in another compact state without having to obtain additional licenses. There are now uniform licensure requirements that must be met when seeking a multistate license under the compact agreement. States that participate in the compact agreement can be found on the NCSBN website .

If not part of the compact agreement, some states allow nurses to obtain temporary licenses by endorsement. These are valid for specific lengths of time, so nurses must visit each state’s Board of Nursing website to determine specific temporary license requirements. If extending the assignment past the temporary license time frame, nurses must apply for a permanent license. Permanent licenses are also required for states that don't grant licensure by endorsement and don't participate in the NLC.

Travel nurses have a broad range of responsibilities and duties, and specific tasks depend on the specialty in which the nurse is trained. General nursing responsibilities and duties include:

• Using the nursing process of assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating to care for patients in a variety of healthcare settings
• Administering medications, and fluids, assisting with activities of daily living and patient mobility
• Reviewing and interpreting diagnostic tests such as lab work and imaging
• Provide monitoring and oversight in all aspects of patient care
• Collaborating with physicians in developing a plan of care
• Assessing the psychosocial needs of patients and families
• Recognizing and intervening in clinically unstable patients
• Providing resources for patients and referring as necessary
• Educating patients and families in all areas of healthcare maintenance and prevention
• Working in assignments anywhere from eight to thirteen weeks (on average) in the U.S., one to two years if outside the U.S.
• Learning various patient care systems/documentation
• Providing immediate medical care and aid for large populations during times of war or disaster

Domestic and international travel nurses also have different characteristics specific to their roles.

Domestic Travel Nurses

• Work within the U.S.
• Typically work assignments that range from eight to thirteen weeks
• Can respond to areas of the U.S that experience natural disasters or disease outbreaks

International Travel Nurses

International travel nurses should have excellent communication skills, should be open to new experiences and challenges, and should have a strong desire to learn. These nurses are responsible for performing a wide array of duties. As stated previously, the tasks an international nurse will have to perform depend entirely upon their medical specialty. Some of the more general or everyday tasks that international travel nurses will perform include administering medication, wound care, and providing emergency medical services and care. Since there are often nursing shortages in many of the regions that international nurses travel to, another general role of these nurses is to educate family members and caretakers about the appropriate patient and medical care. In summary, international travel nurses:

• Work outside the U.S.
• Typically work assignments that range from one to two years
• Respond to areas that experience natural disasters or disease outbreaks, such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa
• Provide medical care and aid to underserved, rural , and remote populations
• Usually, must wait for document processing before traveling

Travel Nurse Working Conditions

As with any career, there are positive and negative aspects to working as a travel nurse. Nurses can suffer from stress as they may carry a heavy patient load and have many critical decisions to make. Additionally, travel nurses may suffer from feelings of isolation since they tend to relocate often. Having a strong sense of independence and a support system available, even remotely, can help.

Additionally, nurses may work in high-risk areas that may expose them to workplace violence, blood-borne pathogens, and chemicals. Travel nurses must always familiarize themselves with and adhere to safety standards set by the organization.

International travel nurses can face different challenges. Travel nurses must be familiar with the country's laws, and geographic-specific diseases, and always keep their overall safety as a priority.

Despite these considerations, travel nursing can be immensely rewarding. Many organizations and staff nurses appreciate the help travel nurses offer. Travel nurses help relieve staff nurses from burnout, as can happen when working short-staffed.

International travel nurses are also highly appreciated. They provide medical care and assistance to many patients in remote settings who otherwise would have no access to healthcare. They help with relief efforts in war zones or after disaster events, which can be both rewarding and enriching.

According to the American Nurses Association, as of 2015 fourteen states had mandatory nurse-patient ratios . Nurses are pushing for federal legislation supporting safe staffing and because of this, if more states pass safe-staffing laws, nurses will be in even more demand. Travel nurses will help mend the current and projected nursing shortage. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 16% overall growth for nurses until 2024, which is much faster-than-average growth for all occupations.

RELATED :  RN License Transfer and NLC Guide

Travel nursing has many incentives for nurses regarding pay and benefits including:

• Travel reimbursement
• Free housing
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Assistance in obtaining passports/work visas
• Choice of location
• Selection of hours/shifts worked
• Competitive pay
• Higher-than-average pay for RNs

According to Indeed, the average yearly salary for a travel nurse is $75,109. However, since pay is competitive in travel nursing, some companies are offering salaries of around $100,00 annually for domestic travel nurses.

International travel nurses tend to have lower salaries than domestic, except for assignments in some middle eastern countries. This is because, for the most part, nurses tend to make less outside of the U.S.

Salary is dependent on the agency, and nurses should research each company to find the right salary and benefits that best fit their needs.

• International Council of Nurses
• Professional Association of Nurse Travelers
• National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations
• American Travel Health Nurses Association

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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

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Home > Career Advice > Healthcare Talent > Travel Nurse Salaries Guide: Earnings, Specialties, and Tips

Travel Nurse Salaries Guide: Earnings, Specialties, and Tips

Embarking on a journey as a Registered Nurse (RN) is not just about healing. It’s about embracing new horizons and fostering your career in extraordinary ways. If you’ve ever considered the thrill of becoming a travel nurse while wondering about the financial rewards, you’ve landed at the crossroads of curiosity and possibility. In this guide, we delve into the intricate tapestry of travel nurse salaries. By deciphering the figures and unraveling strategies we will help you understand your earnings. Just like a seasoned traveler navigates uncharted waters. 

As of May 2023, the average annual salary for travel nurses in the United States stands at $105,021. This is equivalent to an hourly rate of $50, according to data from ZipRecruiter. This figure is remarkably higher than the overall average salary for registered nurses, which is $77,600 per year or $37.31 per hour, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. 

The Landscape of Travel Nurse Salaries 

It’s essential to recognize that travel nurse salaries vary nationwide. At the lower end of the spectrum, some earn around $40,000, while top earners command an impressive $155,500 annually.  Here are some examples of travel nurse salaries by specialty: 

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs): CRNAs are the highest-paid nursing specialty, with an average annual income of $194,352 or $93 per hour. The top earners in this category can even make up to $311,500. 

Operating Room (OR) Nurses: Operating room travel nurses earn an average annual income of $181,460, with the highest earning up to $286,000. 

Emergency Room (ER) Nurses: ER travel nurses have an average annual income of $83,503, but the top earners can make as much as $171,500. 

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurses: ICU travel nurses earn an average annual salary of $143,416, with the highest earners potentially reaching $263,500. 

Travel Nurse Practitioners (NPs): Travel NPs earn an average of $140,086 per year or $67 per hour, with the highest earners making as much as $243,500. 

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurses: NICU travel nurses earn an average of approximately $173,017 annually or $83 per hour, ranging from $56,000 to $281,500. 

Med-Surg Nurses: Med-Surg travel nurses earn an average annual income of $118,997 or $57.21 per hour, with potential hourly earnings reaching as high as $134.38. 

Telemetry Nurses: Telemetry travel nurses earn an average annual income of $124,122 or $60 per hour, with top earners bringing in as much as $174,500. 

Factors Influencing Travel Nurse Salaries 

Several factors play a pivotal role in determining travel nurse salaries. These factors include: 

• Location: Where you practice matters. Cities and states with higher living costs tend to offer higher compensation to travel nurses. For instance, working in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Seattle often generates significantly higher earnings than lower-cost-of-living areas. 
• Full-Time or Part-Time Employment: The number of hours you work each week can influence your salary. Full-time positions generally offer more substantial compensation than part-time roles. 
• Shifts: The shifts you work, such as day shifts, night shifts, mid-shifts, or weekends, can impact your pay. Nurses working less desirable shifts receive higher hourly rates. 
• Bonus Income: Travel nurses can earn additional income through bonuses. These include agency bonuses, retention bonuses for referring colleagues, and crisis or strike pay during urgent situations.

The Top-Paying States for Travel Nurses 

   Here are the states where travel nurses can potentially reap higher rewards for their skills and dedication:    

• New York: Nestled in the vibrant bustle of the city or the serene landscapes upstate, New York offers an average annual salary of $128,277 or $61.67 per hour. 
• Arizona: With its warm climate and diverse communities, Arizona beckons travel nurses with an average annual income of $109,776 or $52.78 per hour. 
• Wyoming: The open plains and rugged beauty of Wyoming come with an average annual salary of $109,765 or $52.77 per hour. 
• Hawaii: The allure of island life accompanies a tempting average annual salary of $109,653 or $52.72 per hour. 
• Tennessee: From the music scene of Nashville to the scenic beauty, Tennessee offers an average annual income of $107,708 or $51.78 per hour. 
• Massachusetts: Enriched with history and innovation, Massachusetts boasts an average annual salary of $107,000 or $51.44 per hour. 
• New Jersey: From its bustling cities to its serene shorelines, New Jersey offers an average annual income of $106,901 or $51.40 per hour. 
• Washington: The Evergreen State presents an average annual salary of $106,086 or $51.00 per hour, inviting travel nurses to explore its natural wonders. 
• West Virginia: Known for its Appalachian beauty, West Virginia offers an average annual income of $106,044 or $50.98 per hour. 
• New Hampshire: The charming landscapes of New Hampshire come with an average annual salary of $105,438 or $50.69 per hour. 

Strategies for Increasing Your Travel Nurse Salary 

Want to boost your earnings as a travel nurse? Here are some effective methods to consider: 

• Location Flexibility: Opt for assignments in cities or states with higher costs of living to secure a higher rate of compensation. 
• Leverage Specialties: Explore which ones offer the highest pay through your agency if you have cross-training in multiple nursing specialties. 
• Per Diem Pay: Check if you qualify for per diem pay, which covers housing, incidentals, and meals during assignments. 
• Selective Shifts : Be open to working less favorable shifts like nights, mid-shifts, and weekends, often with higher hourly rates. 
• Bonus Opportunities: Understand your agency’s bonus structure and look for ways to earn retention bonuses, and crisis or strike pay. 
• Agency Comparison: If unsatisfied with your current agency’s pay rates, explore other agencies offering more competitive compensation. 
• Housing Stipends: Some agencies provide a housing stipend and handle housing arrangements. Consider finding your housing to save money. 

Conclusion 

As a travel nurse, various factors may influence your salary potential, including your nursing specialty, location, shifts, and bonuses. By strategically navigating these factors and making informed choices, you can earn a competitive salary. Also, you can enjoy the unique experience of practicing nursing while exploring different parts of the country. Remember that salary figures can vary over time and across various sources. So, it’s advisable to gather information from multiple reputable sources and stay up-to-date with industry trends.  

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Traveling Nurse Salaries: Payscale By State How to Negotiate Pay

• October 11, 2022

Though travel nurses may work in various facilities–hospitals, doctors’ offices, long-term care facilities, etc.–they can choose where they work, which helps keep life more interesting. Travel nurses have direct control over the assignments they take, influencing their salary and benefits. Some may even earn more than staff RNs with the same education and credentials.

Travel nursing salaries vary by skill level, experience, and location. In fact, travel nurse destinations are one of the prime factors travel nurses consider before taking their next assignment—the more popular locations usually mean a more competitive market but a higher payday. According to ZipRecruiter, the average traveling nurse salary in the U.S. is $118,400 a year. We can break this down into three categories:

• Hourly: The average hourly rate for a travel nurse is about $57. However, if you’re just starting out, you could earn less than the average while more experienced travelers receive more. Working in one of the highest-paid travel nursing specialties could also increase your dollar amount. 
• Monthly: The monthly salary for travel nurses averages $9,790. This amount may also vary depending on overtime pay, bonuses, stipends, etc.
• Annually: As mentioned, the average traveling nurse salary in the U.S. is $118,400, with variations above and below.

It’s important for travel nurses to know how they will be compensated for their labor upfront. At Nurse First Travel Agency, we pride ourselves on being 100% transparent with our travelers to ensure they choose the best travel nurse assignment , whether for the pay, location, facility, or a combination. According to NursingProcess.Org , some states offer very competitive pay. The top five with the best average traveling nurse salaries include:

• California travel nurse jobs ($177,040)
• Hawaii travel nurse jobs ($153,940)
• Massachusetts travel nurse jobs ($141,340)
• Oregon travel nurse jobs ($141,310)
• Alaska travel nurse jobs ($139,900)

Negotiating Travel Nurse Salaries by State

How to negotiate your travel nursing pay.

If you’re uncomfortable with the terms of your travel nurse contract , it’s time to negotiate. Negotiating as a travel nurse is important for a few reasons. If you don’t speak up, you could put yourself in less than satisfactory situations. Here are a few tips to help you find the right contract.

Find Your True Rate Of Pay

Before negotiating the pay in your travel nursing contract, you must first understand what they usually include, especially the pay packages. Fully understanding what you’re looking at will help you better compare different contracts and instill the impression that you know what you’re doing—even if you’re not sure yet. Travelers can ask for a sample contract to know what to expect from a specific facility. This will increase your chances of a successful negotiation. 

Once you understand how contracts work, you can more accurately determine the value of their pay packages. Since travel nursing pay rates often include more than just the hourly rate, make sure to read between the lines. Does the contract cover real travel expenses? What will reimbursements include? Are there contract extension bonuses and overtime and holiday pay? Some travel nurse contracts combine the hourly rate and non-taxable items into a blended rate which can be more confusing than it’s worth. Don’t be afraid to ask ALL of the questions you need answered.

Related Post: 5 Tips For Helping Travel Nurses Navigate A Contract Extension

Be Flexible

Travel nurse agencies offer different pay packages and bring various benefits to the table, so it’s okay to keep your options open—you should always have a plan A, B, and C. Doing your research and comparing each agency will help guide you in accepting or negotiating a position. This contract may have a higher pay rate, but you don’t care for the location; the other contract has a lower pay package, but the facility is highly recommended. The process can involve a little compromising. However, understanding that your agency and recruiter want to help you find your dream assignment will help put you in the best situation. 

You will always be your biggest advocate, and sometimes that means listening to your intuition. If you feel unappreciated or undervalued, address it with your agency and talk it out. If you think an assignment isn’t right for you, don’t feel pressured to take it—the best travel nurse recruiters will understand and find something better. Your needs should be a priority, and it’s okay to decline certain contracts that don’t meet them. If that seems to be a problem, there are hundreds of other agencies and travel nurse assignments to choose from. At the end of the day, you’re the one putting on the scrubs and clocking in. 

In travel nursing, you have more control over all aspects of your career—your salary is just one of them. Travel nurses should always be negotiating for themselves to ensure they make the most out of their assignments. If you’re ready to find the best travel nurse assignment for you, visit our job board for the latest travel nurse jobs in the top travel nurse locations !

From a Staff Nurse to Travel Nurse: Everything You Need to Know to Expand Your Career

Travel nursing has been an in-demand career for years now, but the pandemic pushed demand for travel nurses to an all-time high.  If you’re considering making the move to travel nursing, you’re bound to have certain questions. How does travel

3 Tips To Help Travel Nurses Stay Safe During The Pandemic

Nurses have been on the front lines of the pandemic since the start. Whether in traditional nursing roles, in emergency rooms, administering vaccines, or traveling, nurses have been first responders to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the pandemic is nearing an

5 Tips On How To Make Your First Assignment As A Travel Nurse Easier

Getting ready for your first assignment as a travel nurse? Congratulations! It’s an exciting time in your career and travel nursing will open up so many doors for you. If you’re already packed, have your housing situation settled, and have

Travel Nurse Salary in United States

How much does a travel nurse make.

As of March 26, 2024, the average annual pay of Travel Nurse in the United States is $82,749. While Salary.com is seeing that Travel Nurse salary in the US can go up to $99,893 or down to $67,581, but most earn between $74,809 and $91,723. 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
• Paid Monthly
• Paid Semimonthly
• Paid Biweekly
• Paid Weekly
• Paid Hourly

Travel Nurse RN - ED - Emergency Department - $2,251 per week

American Traveler - Blanding, UT

Travel Nurse RN - PACU - Post Anesthesia Care - $2,520 per week

Jackson Nurse Professionals - Boston, MA

Travel Nurse RN - Med Surg - $2,229 per week

RNnetwork - Lynchburg, VA

Travel Nurse RN - Rehabilitation - $1,847 per week

Stability Healthcare - Omaha, NE

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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 $92,099) , California (around $91,272) , New Jersey (around $90,693) , Alaska (around $90,113) , Massachusetts (around $90,031), Washington (around $89,203), Connecticut (around $88,872).

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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Find Travel Nurse Jobs Near You Now

Salary.com job board provides millions of Travel Nurse information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Travel Nurse job openings or enter a new job title here.

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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 $82,749. 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 $1,591; the average monthly pay of Travel Nurse is $6,896.

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 $103,850.

5. What is the highest pay for Travel Nurse?

The highest pay for Travel Nurse is $99,893.

6. What is the lowest pay for Travel Nurse?

The lowest pay for Travel Nurse is $67,581.

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How Much Do Travel Nurses Make? Salary & Career Outlook

17 Mar, 2023 | By: AIAM Author

Travel nursing is an exciting and unique career that offers opportunities to discover new places, gain valuable experience, and make a positive impact on people’s lives.

If you’re considering a career as a travel nurse , you may be wondering how much you can make. While there’s no single answer to this question, several factors can influence your salary as a travel nurse.

In this blog, we’ll explore the various factors that can impact travel nurse pay and provide a detailed breakdown of average salaries across the country. So, whether you’re thinking about a career in travel nursing or are simply interested in learning more about the earning potential of this field, this blog will offer valuable insights and information.

What Is a Travel Nurse?

Travel nurses are certified registered nurses working in short-term positions at hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities worldwide. These nurses fill gaps in areas with nursing shortages and are expected to perform all the duties of a traditional nurse .

If they have a specialization, they typically work within that specialization; otherwise, they are expected to:

• Address patient concerns
• Educate patients on health, wellness, and illnesses
• Monitor patients’ recovery
• Measure patients’ vital signs
• Administer medication
• Compile reports for doctors and other stakeholders
• Ensure that all equipment and medical supplies are kept sterile and well-organized
• Collaborate with the team effectively

Travel Nurse Salary

The salary of a travel nurse can vary based on several factors. Firstly, the state where you practice will significantly impact your pay. Some states offer incredibly competitive salaries. For instance, a travel nurse’s salary in New York averages $125,701 per year , while other states, such as Vermont ( $94,298 ) and North Carolina ( $75,610 ), provide more modest wages.

Secondly, the city where you are assigned can also influence your salary. Some cities, like San Jose, CA, pay an average annual wage of over $127,092 annually . And, of course, your income may also increase depending on the education level and experience you bring to the table.

Highest-paying states for travel nurses

New York and New Hampshire pay travel nurses more than any other state, with median salaries totaling up to $125,701 and $116,530 , respectively. Western states, like Oregon, Alaska, and Nevada, have higher living costs, contributing to higher paychecks, with travel nurse salaries averaging around $100,000 annually .

In contrast, Southern and Midwestern states generally have lower salaries for travel nurses, primarily because of the lower cost of living in those areas. For instance, North Carolina, Louisiana, Texas, and Missouri have the lowest median annual salaries, with travel nurses earning an average salary of $75,610-$84,963 .

Salary based on the type of travel nurse

Travel nurses can perform various duties, and the salary will differ depending on that. For example, an operating room travel nurse earns the most, with an average annual salary of $181,783 per year . In contrast, a rehab travel nurse earns an average salary of $160,216 annually .

Let’s take a look at how much different types of travel nurses earn annually :

Salary based on experience

Experience is a crucial determinant of salary for travel nurses. It’s worth noting that there is a significant gap in earnings between entry-level and experienced travel nurses.

As per the latest data , the average hourly rate for a travel nurse is $40.37. However, entry-level travel nurses earn a starting salary of $31.25, significantly lower than the industry average. Conversely, senior travel nurses earn an average of $50.96 per hour, representing a substantial increase in pay compared to their entry-level peers.

When looking at the yearly income of travel nurses, the average salary stands at $83,000 , with entry-level nurses earning a starting salary of $65,000. However, as nurses climb up the ladder and attain senior status, their average salaries can reach up to $115,000 annually. Therefore, it’s safe to say that experience plays a critical role in determining a travel nurse’s salary.

How To Increase Your Travel Nurse Salary

While this career is known for its lucrative pay, there are several ways to increase your earnings even further. Here are some steps you can take to achieve this goal:

• Opt to get paid per diem and work extra shifts: If possible, choose to get paid per diem rather than hourly pay since this option can be more profitable. Additionally, taking on extra shifts can boost your earnings significantly.
• Maintain nursing licenses in multiple states: Obtaining licensure in multiple states can open up more job opportunities, including higher-paying assignments.
• Specialize in a high-demand field: Specializing in a high-demand area like surgical nursing, trauma nursing, or research can result in higher pay rates.
• Take on challenging assignments: Some assignments may require long hours or working in underserved communities, but they often offer higher pay rates.

By implementing these strategies, you can boost your earning potential as a travel nurse and increase your overall job satisfaction.

Travel Nurse Job Outlook

As more nurses discover the benefits associated with travel nursing, including a competitive salary as well as personal and professional benefits, travel nursing is expected to continue growing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the registered nursing profession to grow at a rate of 6% between 2021 and 2031. So, RNs now have the opportunity to fill thousands of open positions in travel nursing.

In addition, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) found that the average age of registered nurses is 52. That means there will likely be a greater need for travel nurses as more senior nurses retire.

The Bottom Line

Travel nursing is a rewarding career path that offers a wide range of benefits, including higher pay rates, flexibility, and the opportunity to explore new places. While the salary can vary depending on various factors, such as the location, facility, and level of experience, travel nurses can expect to earn more than regular nurses due to their unique skill set and willingness to take on temporary assignments in different parts of the country.

As healthcare continues to evolve and the demand for travel nurses increases, this trend is likely to continue, making travel nursing an attractive option for those seeking to advance their career while experiencing new adventures.

Interested in becoming a travel nurse ? Join our registered nursing program for a holistic approach to patient care, or click here if you need extra information regarding the program.

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