travel nurse net income

How to Calculate Travel Nursing Net Pay

Calculating net pay is an important step in comparing competing travel nursing pay packages and ultimately deciding whether or not to accept a particular travel nursing job. The importance of net pay is relatively unique to travel nursing. This is due largely to the fact that levels of tax-free compensation vary so greatly. However, there are other important factors to consider. Here we’ll discuss the factors that affect net pay and provide a strategy for calculating it.

What is net pay and how should it be calculated?

It’s important to define net pay because we want to make sure that we’re making apples-to-apples comparisons when comparing compensation packages. The standard and perhaps best approach is to focus on weekly net pay . Weekly net pay is the estimated net amount that will be deposited to the travel nurse’s account for working the contracted weekly hours. While this might seem really straightforward, you must be careful to clearly define the parameters.

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Remember, the pay package can be comprised of many variables. As a result, you may run in to some recruiters who factor in variables like travel stipends or medical benefit costs to their weekly net pay quotes. However, these variables are most likely not going to be paid on a weekly basis. Recruiters do this because they’re intent on portraying the full value of their compensation package.

While this may seem disingenuous, this approach is not without merit. Recruiters are concerned that a centralized focus on weekly net pay might overshadow some of the other compensation variables they’re offering. For example, they might be offering a much higher travel stipend than other agencies, or they might provide top-notch medical benefits that are more expensive than others, or they might be offering a completion bonus. This is why it’s so important to get your compensation quotes in writing. In doing so, you’ll be able to run equal calculations and make your own comparisons.

For our purposes here, we’re defining weekly net pay as only the amount of money that will be deposited to the travel nurse’s bank account for working the contracted hours. However, you must remember to consider all of the other variables when comparing the total value of competing pay packages.

Now that we’ve defined net pay, let’s take a basic look at how it’s calculated. First, we’re going to calculate the gross taxable wage per week. Next, we’re going to calculate the weekly taxes that will be paid on the gross taxable weekly wage and subtract the taxes from the gross weekly taxable wage. Finally, we’re going to add the remainder to the tax-free stipends to arrive at the final weekly net pay figure.

Sample Travel Nursing Pay Packages

Let’s begin with two sample pay packages so that we have something to refer to throughout our discussion.

The assignment is for 13 weeks at 36 regular hours per week for a total of 468 anticipated hours. The agency offers the following:

Taxable base rate: $20/hour

Tax-free housing stipend: $1900/month (paid weekly)

Tax-free M&IE stipend: $250/week

Taxable base rate: $15/hour

Tax-free housing stipend: $2100/month (paid weekly)

Tax-free M&IE stipend: $300/week

For the purpose of calculating weekly net pay, the first thing we have to do is breakdown the monthly housing stipend to a weekly figure. It’s highly recommended that you require your recruiter to perform this calculation for you in order to avoid any miscommunication. However, If the agency is portraying this figure properly, then you should be able to multiply the monthly figure by three and divide by 13 in order to arrive at the weekly calculation. Remember, three months is 13 weeks and there are 4.33 weeks in a month.  So we’re looking at $438.46 for Sample #1 and $484.62 for Sample #2.

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Our next step is to calculate the total weekly dollar for the tax-stipends. Essentially, we need to add the housing stipend to the M&IE stipend. For Sample #1 we’re looking at $438.46 (housing) + $250 (M&IE) for a total of $688.46 per week. For Sample #2 we’re looking at $484.62 (housing) + $300 (M&IE) for a total of $784.62 per week.

How to calculate the estimated taxes for travel nursing pay

Now we’re ready to calculate the taxes that will be taken out of the weekly pay check. We need two things to accomplish this. First, we need the gross weekly taxable wage. To calculate the gross weekly taxable wage we simply multiply the taxable base rate by the number of contracted weekly hours. For Sample #1 we’re looking at $20 * 36 hours for a total of $720 per week. For Sample #1 we’re looking at $15 * 36 hours for a total of $540 per week.

Next, we need to calculate the estimated taxes that will be paid on the weekly taxable income. To accomplish this, many recruiters and travel nurses will rely on a ball-park tax rate figure. For example, they might estimate that the tax burden will be 20%. They will then multiply the gross weekly taxable wage by 20% to determine the estimated tax burden. So for Sample #1 we’re looking at .2 * $720 = $144.

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This approach is not recommended for two reasons. First, taxes are progressive. This means that the more money you make, the higher your tax rate is and vice-versa. Second, states have substantially different state tax rates. Both of these issues can throw your calculations off significantly.

Using an online paycheck calculator is a much better alternative. The most popular online paycheck calculator is found at paycheckcity.com . From their homepage menu you can select Calculator, then Standard, then Hourly Paycheck. Enter the information as applicable and select Calculate at the bottom of the calculator. It will provide a much more accurate estimate of your tax burden.

Below are images of our results for Sample #1 and Sample #2. You can see that we’ve selected Arizona as the state and you can also see the other parameters we used for our tax status. Yours maybe different than what we’ve selected so be sure to enter parameters that are unique to your situation. This is part of the beauty of paycheck calculators.

Paycheck Calculation for Sample #1

Paycheck Calculation for Sample #2

Calculating net pay

As mentioned above, we simply subtract the estimated weekly taxes from the weekly taxable wage and add the remainder to the total weekly tax-free stipends to calculate weekly net pay for a contract. For Sample #1 we’re looking at $720 – $167.59 = $552.41 + $688.46 = $1240.87 net weekly pay. For Sample #2 we’re looking at $540 – $121.96 = $418.04 + $784.62 = $1202.66 net weekly pay.

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As you can see, Sample #1 offers the higher net pay. However, you must still remember to account for the all of the remaining compensation variables when determining which contract offers the better deal.

Related posts:

• Travel Nursing Pay – Qualifying for Tax-Free Stipends and Tax Deductions: Part 2: Maintaining Temporary Status In our previous blog post we laid out the criteria under...
• Travel Nursing Pay: Flexible vs. Rigid If you’ve discussed travel nursing pay with multiple agencies, then...
• 5 Reasons Travel Nursing Pay Quotes Can Be Wrong Pay is among the most important variables that travel nurses...

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The Ultimate Travel Nurse Salary Guide: 4 Million+ Jobs Analyzed (July 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) $2,112.24 Based on 2,719,085 jobs analyzed across all travel nurse specialties , nationwide

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

• Highest Paying
• Host Healthcare 50,000+ jobs $132.73 above average
• Premier Healthcare Professionals 50,000+ jobs $78.72 above average
• Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health) 50,000+ jobs $70.19 above average
• Aureus Medical Group 50,000+ jobs $61.54 above average
• MedPro Healthcare Staffing 50,000+ jobs -$9.21 below average
• TotalMed 50,000+ jobs -$34.02 below average
• Triage Staffing 50,000+ jobs -$100.73 below average
• Job Availability
• Aequor Healthcare 50,000+ jobs -$102.03 below average

Top Locations Nationwide

• California 50,000+ jobs $227.80 above average
• New York 50,000+ jobs $212.93 above average
• Massachusetts 50,000+ jobs $198.74 above average
• Illinois 50,000+ jobs $76.03 above average
• Ohio 50,000+ jobs $36.58 above average
• Washington 50,000+ jobs $23.10 above average
• Virginia 50,000+ jobs -$32.64 below average
• Texas 50,000+ jobs -$180.77 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 Pay & Benefits

Understanding Travel Nurse Salary and Your Benefits Package

How much do travel nurses make?

There are many factors to consider when talking about how much travel nurses get paid, including:

When looking to optimize pay, it’s important to understand that pay packages differ based on specialty and location. For instance, a travel L&D nurse in California will make a different amount than a travel med-surg nurse in Kentucky.

Many travel nurses bounce around between states — sometimes even between specialties — and will be paid differently from assignment to assignment. You may also be eligible for housing, meal and incidental stipends to reimburse you for actual expenses incurred while on assignment. Your recruiter will discuss all these details with you during your search. Your recruiter will work diligently to find you positions that meet your financial goals. Keep in mind that flexibility during your job search with location, shift and other factors usually results in the potential of higher paying opportunities.

Log in and view pay packages and facility information for all jobs.

Travel Nursing Benefits with Aya

You can enroll and contribute to your 401k on the first of the month following eligibility, which is working 4 consecutive months or one year from your original hire date (with at least 1,000 hours worked). After a year (with at least 1,000 hours worked) you’re eligible for matching!

Medical Plan

A comprehensive medical, dental and vision plan from the first day you start an assignment with Aya Healthcare. You also have the option to add a spouse and/or dependents to your plan!

Sick Pay While on Assignment

You’ll start accruing sick time on the first day of your assignment and earn 1 hour for every 30 hours worked which you can start to use after 90 days.

Perks & Discounts

Wellness and fitness programs (like free virtual meditation and yoga) employee assistance programs (including clinical escalation if your work environment could be improved) and so much more.

Aya Scholars Program

This is the industry’s only clinical ladder program for travel nurses. In exchange for dedication to professional development, Aya Scholars candidates may be eligible for reimbursements for tuition and a specialty certification exam.

Where can I make the most money as a travel nurse?

Like we mentioned earlier, quite a few factors affect your pay, including specialty and location. But like with any job, you need to consider more than just pay. When evaluating an assignment, you should also consider the cost of living in the area. You can rely on your recruiter and the rest of your Aya Healthcare team for valuable advice to help you make the best career choice for you.

Privacy Overview

Welcome Back

Please sign-in using the links below. The job portal provides access to applications. The clinician portal is for clinicians currently on assignment.

Travel Nurse Pay Calculator

Fill out the form here and we’ll give you an accurate estimate of your travel nurse take home pay, welcome to our free nurse pay calculator.

Be in the know when it comes to accepting your first (or next) travel nurse assignment with our nurse pay calculator.

Taxes work a little differently for travel nurses than they do staff nurses because your hourly rate is taxed, but your weekly travel stipends are not.  Take the guess work out and quickly compare your take home pay on multiple assignments!

Please note:

• This travel nurse pay calculator is based on an income tax rate of 22%.
• If you’re working a local contract, your weekly travel stipend  will  be taxed. Make sure to divide your weekly stipend by the number of hours you work a week and add that amount to your hourly rate in order to get an accurate result from this calculator.

Don’t forget to check out our Hot Jobs page: our highest paying contracts of the week!

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What Is the Average Travel Nurse Salary & Pay?

Table of Contents

Travel nursing provides many benefits that permanent positions in healthcare facilities most likely cannot, including the flexibility to experience a new environment every few months, access to a recruiter that understands your needs and wants, and, in most cases, lucrative financial incentives.

Travel nurses are typically paid very well compared to their full-time, permanent peers. In many situations, hospitals desperately need travel nurses to fill open positions and care for their patients. If you are going to fill critical gaps in a healthcare facility’s staff and learn the ins and outs of a new work environment, you should be compensated well during your contract with the facility. Never be embarrassed or afraid to ask what a travel nurse makes—arming yourself with this information can help you get the most out of your next travel assignment . Land your dream job faster when you travel with us. Get submitted quickly to top local and national travel nurse jobs and be first in line for an interview. Get started today in On Demand .

WHAT IS A TRAVEL NURSE’s SALARY?

As with staff registered nurse salaries, a travel nurse’s salary can vary quite a bit depending on where you are in the country and what type of nursing you are going to do (medical-surgical vs. critical care, for example). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the median pay in 2021 for nurses was $37.31 an hour, or an annual salary of $77,600 per year; according to Indeed.com, the hourly rate for a travel nurse is $46.80 an hour. However, as a travel nurse, the best approach when comparing compensation packages is to focus on weekly net pay. This is the estimated net amount that will be deposited into your account for working the contracted weekly hours essentially, your actual take-home pay. See all of our open travel nurse jobs available.

HOW IS WEEKLY NET PAY CALCULATED?

To calculate net pay , subtract the estimated weekly taxes from the weekly taxable wage and add the remainder to the total weekly tax-free stipends to calculate the weekly net pay for a contract. For an even more detailed breakdown on calculating take-home pay, reach out to a Health Carousel Travel Nursing recruiter.

WAIT, SO DO TRAVEL NURSES REALLY MAKE MORE THAN STAFF NURSES DO?

Simply put, yes. The average travel nurse makes more than a staff registered nurse doing the exact same job. Sometimes a travel nurse can actually earn a lot more than the staff nurse can. Think about it this way: To attract travel nurses, hospitals need to pay an attractive hourly rate. So, the travel nurse salary is already higher, just as an hourly rate

Then add in a housing stipend. The staff nurse has to pay to rent or a mortgage; the hospital usually pays for the travel nurse’s living expenses. Some programs offer pretty decent reimbursements for travel, too. You may need to submit travel receipts, but if it is a flat rate, any amount you don’t spend on travel goes right into your pocket.

Does your contract offer a sign-on bonus? Does your contract offer a completion bonus? Can you earn overtime? Can you get bonus pay for holiday shifts? When you think about everything that goes into a travel nursing salary, they add up all of these pools of money that aren’t usually offered to staff nurses.

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How Much Money Does a Travel Nurse Make?

According to ZipRecruiter , the national average pay for travel nurses is currently $57 per hour. However, travel nursing pay varies depending on a variety of factors. Remember, travel nurses typically work in areas with nursing shortages and where nurses are in high demand. Pay varies per season as well. For example, if you take a travel assignment in Colorado during the summer it will most likely pay more than taking a contract in the winter. This is because many travel nurses prefer to take travel assignments during the winter in Colorado to participate in snow sports.

Travel nurse pay and compensation packages look different depending on the healthcare staffing agency or travel nursing agency. Healthcare staffing agencies’ pay varies because it depends on their contract with the healthcare facility. Travel nurses are also paid different hourly amounts based on their specialty and years of experience. Interested in becoming a travel nurse based off this information? We can help you land your ideal job faster when you travel with us. See our available local and national travel nurse jobs .

Let’s review the average hourly, monthly, and annual salary for traveling nurses below.

The average hourly rate for travel nurses in the United States (U.S.) ranges from $46.80 to $57. You can make more or less than this depending on the state, specialty, hours worked, etc.

Travel nursing agencies pay travel nurses an average of $7,732 monthly . This monthly salary most likely does not account for an entire travel nurse’s pay package. After you include benefits such as free housing or housing and meal stipends, you will most likely make more money.

According to Indeed , the average annual salary for travel nurses is $109,200. As you can see, the average travel nurse salary varies greatly depending on the reporting entity. Therefore, it’s  safe to say that your annual salary will be greater than $100,000. 

Remuneration for Different Types of Travel Nurses

Just like registered nurses, travel nurses have the opportunity to work in various specialties. Before becoming a travel nurse, most travel nurse agencies like you to have at least two years of experience in your nursing specialty. Below is a table of common travel nursing specialties and the average hourly pay.

Specialty & Average Weekly Pay Range

Operating Room Nurse: $3,000 - $3,700

Emergency Room Nurse: $2,500 - $3,500

Critical Care Nurse (CCU/ICU): $2,600 - $3,600

Pediatric Nurse: $1,900 - $3,000

NICU Nurse : $2,600 - $3,000

Labor and Delivery Nurse: $2,700 - $3,500

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA): $700 - $1,900

*Data from Leaderstat and ZipRecruiter

Travel Nurse Salary by State

Travel nursing salaries also vary by state. You can compare the average state hourly and annual salary in the table below.

State, Average Hourly Rate & Average Annual Salary

Alabama: $44.52 & $103,892

Alaska: $47.41 & $110,619

Arizona: $46.88 & $109,386

Arkansas: $43.54 & $101,595

California: $50.77 & $118,464

Colorado: $48.69 & $113,610

Connecticut: $48.69 & $113,602

Delaware: $46.21 & $107,823

Florida: $45.06 & $105,132

Georgia: $46.04 & $107,425

Hawaii: $45.91 & $107,130

Idaho: $43.19 & $100,769

Illinois: $47.92 & $111,815

Indiana: $44.45 & $103,709

Iowa: $45.09 & $105,212

Kansas: $44.11 & $102,933

Kentucky: $43.54 & $101,591

Louisiana: $44.36 & $103,507

Maine: $45.24 & $105,551

Maryland: $48.84 & $113,966

Massachusetts: $50.33 & $117,447

Michigan: $45.62 & $106,437

Minnesota: $47.33 & $110,435

Mississippi: $42.46 & $99,070

Missouri: $46.23 & $107,881

Montana: $43.13 & $100,647

Nebraska: $44.63 & $104,144

Nevada: $46.22 & $107,837

New Hampshire: $45.48 & $106,115

New Jersey: $48.99 & $114,311

New Mexico: $45.24 & $105,550

New York: $50.15 & $117,026

North Carolina: $45.81 & $106,885

North Dakota: $45.27 & $105,636

Ohio: $45.14 & $105,327

Oklahoma: $43.52 & $101,541

Oregon: $47.39 & $110,574

Pennsylvania: $46.46 & $108,406

Rhode Island: $46.63 & $108,806

South Carolina: $44.53 & $103,910

South Dakota: $43.80 & $102,199

Tennessee: $44.99 & $104,969

Texas: $46.81 & $109,214

Utah: $45.01 & $105,018

Vermont: $44.55 & $103,950

Virginia: $48.14 & $113,322

Washington: $49.72 & $116,002

West Virginia: $43.48 & $101,461

Wisconsin: $45.38 & $105,885

Wyoming: $44.27 & $103,301

*Data taken from Indeed

Travel Nurse Salary by City

A travel nurse’s salary not only depends on the state but also depends on the city. Larger cities usually offer higher pay than smaller cities. Though this does depend on the nursing shortage and demand at the time. Sometimes rural cities provide higher rates due to critical staff shortages or since they have fewer nursing schools to recruit from. Below, we’ve outlined travel nurse pay for some of the most popular cities in the U.S.

City & Average Hourly Rate

New York City, NY: $54.25

Sacremento, CA: $50.02

Los Angeles, CA: $51.38

Washington, DC: $54.22

Boston, MA: $53.53

*Data pulled from Indeed

Factors that Influence Travel Nurses' Salary

Several factors can influence travel nurses’ salaries. These include nursing specialty, state averages, and the healthcare facility. Some healthcare facilities limit the number of travel nurses they will hire or put a cap on their pay.  Also, when you take an assignment, your willingness to float to other units may influence your salary. Travel nurses need to be flexible and if you want your hours, then you may need to float to another unit. This is especially important if you get put on call or your shift gets canceled.

What other Benefits Do Travel Nurses Enjoy? 

Travel nurse pay packages are not just based on hourly wages and receiving higher pay than staff nurses. Pay packages offer many other benefits of being a travel nurse as well. Many travel nursing agencies offer free housing to their travel nurses or a weekly housing stipend. If you take the housing stipend and your rent is less than your housing stipend, then you will potentially earn and save more money. Travel nurses’ pay packages often offer retirement savings plans and heavily discounted or sometimes free medical and dental insurance. 

Many travel nursing jobs also offer nursing licensure, continuing education, and travel reimbursements. Make sure to ask about guaranteed hours, pay, and potential for overtime. Since travel nurses often get canceled before staff registered nurses if the census is low, guaranteed hours will protect you from losing your money on your paycheck. As many areas around the country are experiencing nursing shortages, healthcare facilities and agencies are offering sign-on and completion bonuses as well. Remember, review your pay package as a whole instead of just looking at your hourly wage. Did you know we offer travel nurse benefits that support your health, wealth, career and life?

How to Increase Your Salary as a Travel Nurse?

Let’s review some ways to increase your salary and earning potential as a travel nurse. First, if you work in a specialty area that has a certification, then study for and obtain your certification. For example, if you work in the critical care unit, obtain your Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification. Or if you work in the operating room, then obtain your Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) certification. Certifications let potential employers know that you’re competent, committed, and have the technical skills in your nursing specialty. 

Another way to increase your salary is to take crisis pay contracts and take assignments in high demand areas. Many times these contracts are short-term, but they pay a higher hourly rate. Also, before signing your contract, ask about guaranteed hours and overtime. Many healthcare facilities offer overtime hours, but only if available. Ask for guaranteed overtime hours (greater than 40 hours) in your nursing contract as a potential way to increase your salary.

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Travel Nurse Salary in United States

How much does a travel nurse make.

As of August 27, 2024, the average annual pay of Travel Nurse in the United States is $83,197. While Salary.com is seeing that Travel Nurse salary in the US can go up to $100,434 or down to $67,947, but most earn between $75,215 and $92,220. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills , and your experience levels . With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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

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

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Travel Nurse - RN - TELE - Telemetry - $2142.36 / Week

Travel Nurse - RN - TELE - Telemetry - $2203 / Week

Travel Nurse RN - Telemetry - $1,577 per week

Travel Nurse RN - Rehabilitation - $2,036 per week

View Travel Nurse Salary by Experience Levels

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

Best Paying States for Travel Nurse

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

Highest Paying Cities for Travel Nurse

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

Best-Paid Skills and Qualifications for Travel Nurse

What skills does a travel nurse need.

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

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

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

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

View Travel Nurse Salary Trends

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

Average Annual Salary of Travel Nurse Over Time

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

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

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

2. What does a Travel Nurse do?

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

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

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

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

The second career path typically progresses to Maternity Services Director.

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

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

4. Where can a Travel Nurse earn the most?

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

5. What is the highest pay for Travel Nurse?

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

6. What is the lowest pay for Travel Nurse?

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

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‍How Much Do Travel Nurses Make a Year? 

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

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

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

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

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make an Hour?

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

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

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

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make Working with Trusted Health? 

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

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

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

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

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

Maximizing Your Take-Home Pay as a Travel Nurse

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

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

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

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

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

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

Factors Affecting Travel Nurse Pay

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

1. Specialty 

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

2. Location

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

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

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

3. Facility Need

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

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

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

4. Shift Type

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

5. Choice of Agency 

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

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

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

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

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

Let's start building the life you want.

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

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

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

‍ Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics & ZipRecruiter

Find your first travel nursing job with Trusted

Maximizing take-home pay with tax-free compensation.

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

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

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

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

1. Shift Type

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

2. Employment Classification

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

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

4. Specialty 

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

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

5. Location

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

Top-Paying States for Travel Nurses:

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

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

Average hourly rates of $61.67/hr

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

Average hourly rates of $52.78/hr

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

Average hourly rates of $52.77/hr

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

Average hourly rates of $52.72/hr

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

Average hourly rates of $51.78/hr

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

Source: ZipRecruiter

Ready to Explore High-Paying Travel Nursing Opportunities?

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

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

Travel Nursing Basics

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

How to Make the Most Money as a Travel Nurse

Table of Contents

Remote nursing jobs.

Comparing travel nurse compensation packages is more difficult than comparing staff nurse offers. You need to consider more than just your salary. Travel companies differ drastically in the way they present their pay. Some provide weekly pay, others hourly, and a rare few give information for the entire contract. To make sure you are adequately comparing one contract to another, you can calculate your hourly rate—break down your total compensation and divide it by the hours in your contract. While it’s easy to count a month as four weeks, it’s critical to acknowledge that a month is longer than that, and three months is 13 weeks (not 12).

Parts of a travel nursing contract

Recruiters will often quote you a sizable weekly salary that combines both taxable and nontaxable income. Your total income starts with a lower hourly rate that is taxable. The stipend includes nontaxable income to provide for living and travel expenses. This article will give you all the information you need to compare the jobs, so you pick the one with the highest pay. Here are some terms that can help you navigate travel nurse pay packages :

• Gross pay is your total compensation
• Your W2 Pay is your taxable base pay
• You might receive tax-free stipends to cover housing, meals and incidentals
• A travel reimbursement covers your travel to your travel nurse location
• You might receive a completion bonus for finishing your contract
• Health, vision and dental insurance
• Retirement benefits such as a 401K

Below, you'll find a real-life example of a travel nurse listing from April, 2020.

Weekly gross pay: $2,295.30 Housing, meal and incidentals stipend: $1,500 Travel reimbursement: $600 Completion bonus: $1,000 Basic insurance included

Who qualifies for nontaxable income?

Travel nurse pay is either taxable income or nontaxable income. Travel nurses qualify for the nontaxable stipends if they meet at least two of the following requirements to have a tax home:

• Earn a minimum of 25% of your income in a different geographical area
• You have a permanent residence.
• You don’t abandon the “tax home”

Having a “tax home” sounds like next level accounting, but it’s pretty simple. You have a tax home if you visit your primary area of residence at least once every 12 months and can prove you are paying the expenses to maintain your primary home. Keep copies of your utility bills, voting registration, or driver’s license that use the address of your primary residence.

How do you compare travel nurse pay packages?

When comparing travel nurse pay packages, you can start by calculating your hourly rate from the following four parts of your offer:

• Take home pay from taxable income
• Non-taxable travel reimbursement
• Non-taxable stipend
• Taxable bonus

The taxable income is straightforward for travel nurses. The nontaxable income includes reimbursement for professional and travel expenses, a weekly stipend for living expenses, and incidentals. Some travel companies offer bonuses for referring to other nurses or crisis pay. To figure out what you’re working with, you need to do a little math. For taxable income, your tax bracket can significantly impact final pay. Usually, the initial quote from a recruiter includes a weekly taxed rate. Divide that rate by the hours you will work per week. To find the salary after taxes, multiply the hourly rate by the percent of your income you will keep (100%- tax rate=percent of income).

1. Example of take home pay from taxable income: To find the taxable hourly rate, $2,295.30 weekly/36 hours per week= $63.76 per hour To find the take home pay, (100-20=80%) * $63.76/hour= $51.01 per hour

Your travel reimbursement usually comes in one lump sum of money and is nontaxable.  To add travel reimbursement to the pot, find the number of hours in a travel contract by multiplying the hours per week by the number of weeks in the travel contract.  Next, divide your travel reimbursement rate by the total hours of the agreement.

2. Example of non-taxable travel reimbursement: 36 hours per week X 13 weeks in contract= 468 hours $600 / 468= $1.28

Next comes your stipend, which includes your housing, meals, and incidentals.  You divide this weekly rate by the hours you work per week.  Depending on your travel destination, this rate can vary due to the cost of living. If you’re interested in the per diem rate for various locations across the United States, the U.S. General Service Administration gives the current rates .  

3. Example of Nontaxable Stipend $1500 weekly stipend / 36 hours per week = $41.67

If you receive any bonuses, make sure you understand if they will be taxed or not.  If they are taxed, they should be multiplied by the percentage that you found in A.  The next step is to divide the bonus by the number of hours in your contract that you found in B.  

4. Example of Taxable Bonus $1000 bonus * (80%)= $800 $800 take home / 468 hours in contract = $1.71

Now, add 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 to get your total hourly rate. $51.01 + $1.28 + $41.67+ $1.71= $95.67. Use this rate to compare each company against one another to make sure you are getting similar rates.   Supply and demand for travel nurses can vary by state . Now, if you are comparing different destinations, it’s important to think of the cost of living. If you are comparing Ohio to California, you would need much more money in California to cover the cost of your housing arrangement or your food. It can be a bit harder to quantify the worth of health insurance, policies that work in your favor, or life insurance. However, at a bare minimum, I recommend negotiating against any out of pocket fees. Negotiate for reimbursement for any necessary licensure costs, certifications, or physical exams and immunizations.

Travel nurse pay package calculator

Questions to ask a travel nurse recruiter.

Besides your hourly rate, there are a few things that you can consider when comparing offers. When comparing offers, think about policies that may work in your favor or are not relevant to you. Some facilities often cancel travel nurses, and you do not get paid. This can wreak havoc on your paycheck and change the overall numbers you just computed. Make sure to ask your recruiter the following questions:

• If a facility cancels me, will I still be paid for the time I should have worked?
• What are the requirements to obtain health insurance?
• Do you offer a 401k plan or life insurance policy?
• Do travel nurses get PTO or sick leave?
• What is my potential for over-time, and what will the payment be?

While discussing pay to another travel nurse seems harmless, it’s crucial to ensure your comparison is reasonable. With all the factors that go into comparing compensation packages, you need to make sure you are working with a recruiter who is transparent about the amount you will receive.

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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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How Much Do Travel Nurses Make In A Year? | Salary 2024

Travel nursing has been all the rage for the last few years, especially when there were extra incentives and pay for working during the pandemic. Travel nursing positions come with plenty of perks, such as high travel nurse salaries, incentives like sign-on bonuses, and the opportunity to work in glamorous places like Hawaii and Florida .

But do travel nurses really make more money? The answer is yes…usually. However, the exact amount of money you can make as a travel nurse really depends on a variety of different factors.

Below is a breakdown of a travel nurse’s salary and why travel nurses tend to get paid more than nurses in traditional roles.

Find available, high-paying travel nurse opportunities.

Do Travel Nurses Make More Money?

In general, travel nurses have the opportunity to make more money than staff nurses for two main reasons:

1. Higher Need = Higher Pay

Travel nurse staffing agencies work specifically with hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities that have a high demand for nurses. These facilities are willing to pay more to reach adequate staffing levels or to cover a known leave of absence.

2. Additional Monetary Incentives

Unlike regular staff nurses, travel nurses are paid a “total pay package” that includes an hourly base wage pay plus additional monetary incentives, like the following:

• Sign-on or referral bonuses
• Travel reimbursements
• Stipends for housing
• Food, mileage, or job-related expenses

Because these extra stipends are classified as reimbursements and not income, they’re non-taxable, so a travel nurse can bring home a higher total pay when compared to a staff nurse, who pays taxes on all of the income they bring home.

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

The average salary for travel nurses in 2023 was $114,591 according to Indeed.com . That is significantly higher than the average salary for staff nurses of $86,070 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The exact salary you can expect to make as a travel nurse will vary widely based on where you choose to work, the type of nursing position, and the length of your contract.

For example, you may make more in a month as a travel nurse compared to a staff nurse, but if you only work one- or two-month-long assignments with breaks in between, then your annual pay will be lower. However, if you take several assignments in a 12-month period, then you could make significantly more in one year than you could as a staff nurse.

Your total travel nursing pay package will look different than that of a staff nurse because it’s made up of your “base wage” pay — the hourly rate you earn for your nursing duties — and additional stipends, which are classified as non-taxable reimbursements and not considered income. As an example, a standard total travel nurse pay package could look something like this:

*Assumes $20 per hour at 40 hours per week, minus taxes

You should consult your certified financial planner if you have concerns before starting travel nursing. It may help you evaluate if a travel nurse pay package is right for you based on your overall financial goals.

Find travel nursing assignments by speaking with a recruiter today!

Do Travel Nurses Get Benefits?

Some travel nurse staffing agencies also offer travel nurses additional benefits, such as retirement options and health, dental, vision, and life insurance. Keep in mind, retirement options that include a 401(k) may not be the most effective option if your taxable income is already low. It may make more sense to invest in a Roth IRA or other retirement account. But again, consult with your tax professional before making any major financial decisions.

Most travel nursing companies also require that you work a certain number of months before the 401(k) becomes available for travelers.

Why? One of the main benefits of a 401(k) is that it allows you to contribute your income before it’s taxed, but a large portion of most travel nurses’ total pay packages is non-taxable. Contributing to a 401(k) can decrease a travel nurse’s overall taxable income considerably and may lead to issues down the road — if they need to qualify for a home loan, for example.

Highest Paying Locations for Registered Nurses

Where you choose to work as a travel nurse also plays a large role in how much you will make. Certain cities and states offer higher pay because they have such a high demand for nurses, while other areas pay more based on the time of year.

For example, if you’re willing to travel to Alaska in the winter, you can make more money than if you worked in Hawaii in the winter months. Travel nurses who are willing to relocate to “less popular” areas throughout the year or go places in the off seasons, stand to increase the amount of overall pay they can make over the course of the entire year.

You could also seek out assignments in the highest-paying states and cities for travel nurses . For example, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the top 10 highest-paying cities for RNs (not specifically travel nurses) currently are:

The Top Highest Paying States for RNs in 2023 – based on all specialties

Source: BLS

Keep in mind that the Bureau of Labor Statistics data lists average salaries for RNs, so the potential for travel nurses specifically in those areas is even higher. However, you should consider the cost of living in those areas and if the stipends you’ll receive for housing, food, and other expenses will adequately cover those costs.

Read more: Best Cities for Travel Nurses

A Note on Nursing Specialties

Working a travel nursing assignment in a high-paying state or city is one way to increase your take-home salary. You can also increase your pay as a travel nurse by working in an in-demand specialty.

The average travel nurse’s salary does vary based on specialty. For example, travel nurses who work in the following in-demand specialties can make more pay (or negotiate for higher pay). Did you hear that? You can negotiate!

Some of those specialties include:

• Critical Care
• Labor and delivery
• Orthopedics

If you have experience in an in-demand area, you should highlight that on your travel nursing application and bring it to the attention of the travel nurse recruiter to maximize your pay.

Additionally, you may be able to make more money if you seek out specialty certifications in your area on your own before signing with a travel nurse agency.

Having a nurse who is “ready to go” in a specialty area may be more lucrative to a staffing agency than a nurse who is simply willing to be trained but not yet certified.

Travel Nursing Salary: Beyond a Paycheck

Travel nursing can be a profitable way to boost your savings and overall take-home pay. But the benefits don’t stop with just your paycheck. Travel nursing has so many other perks:

• Expand your resume
• Gain valuable hands-on nursing experience
• Learn skills on the job
• Increase your confidence
• Find hospitals or coworkers you may want to work with as a staff nurse in the future
• And ultimately, advance your career

As a travel nurse, you’ll have the opportunity to work in fields you may not have access to close to home or receive additional training to further your nursing skills as well. Also, because travel nursing is flexible and can accommodate both short and long-term positions, many nurses can try temporary nursing assignments whether they’re single, partnered, married, child-free, or have a family. Lastly, travel nursing is also a great way to experience other parts of the country to live in, see, and explore.

RNs can earn up to $2,300 per week as travel nurses. Speak to a recruiter today!

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Travel Nurse Salary: How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

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As a Healthcare staffing agency, we understand the importance of having reliable information and trustworthy information available to you. That’s why our healthcare content is created by experienced nurses and healthcare professionals who understand the industry firsthand. We use trustworthy sources and keep our information up-to-date so you can feel confident in the advice and resources we offer.

The allure of travel nursing is often the travel nurse’s salary, among other benefits like flexibility and adventure. Jokingly, many healthcare professionals refer to travelers as the Rolls Royce or Louis Vuitton of nurses. They are perceived to make a lot of money in a short period of time. Because of this, staff nurses often wonder how they stack up next to the visiting travel nurse when it comes to hourly and weekly wages. How much do travel nurses make, really? Below, you can see the average travel nurse salary in the states. But it depends on the state they are in, their specialty, and their experience! In this article, we break it all down for you so you can finally answer the nagging question of “How much do travel nurses make?”.

How Much Money Do Travel Nurses Make?

Compensation is one of the most talked-about topics when it comes to travel nursing. Unfortunately, there is no straight answer. A travel nurse’s salary depends on multiple factors, including the severity of a need in a given location and the state in general. On average, a travel nurse will make 16% more than a staff nurse. During the pandemic with crisis rates, travel nurses were making upwards of 30% more than staff nurses.

We often see higher rates in some states than in others and this is because of the cost of living and the demand for nurses. For example, California is one of the highest-paying travel nurse states because of its high demand and high cost of living.

Below, with the help of Nomad , we broke down the average RN salary per state compared to the average travel nurse salary per state. Keep in mind these are based on statistics and data but can always vary!

Highest Paying Travel Nurse Cities and States

Also, with the help of ZipRecruiter , we were able to break down a list of the top 10 highest-paying cities and states and the annual salary for travel nursing in 2023. Check out the list below to see which city you want to take an assignment in next!

Where do Travel Nurses earn the Most in the United States?

As a travel nurse, you may wonder where you can make the most money in the United States. That’s a great question. Below are the top five states where you can earn the most money as a travel nurse and the additional benefits of traveling to that state.

Highest Paying Travel Nurse Specialties

When determining a travel nurse’s salary, location is a big piece of the puzzle, but so is a specialty! To earn more money as a registered nurse, getting additional certifications and specializing are great ways to advance your career. Once specialized, getting experience also helps increase wages. The more specialized, certified, and experienced a nurse is, the better care they can give to their patients. This increases their value and wage!

Below are the top-paying specialties in travel nursing according to Travel Nursing.org and American Mobile . Keep in mind these may fluctuate depending on what is going on in the world. For example, during the pandemic, ICUs and vaccinators were high in demand and got paid really well because of it.

Wage based on nurse specialty.

Factors That Influence A Travel Nurse Salary

The salary of a travel nurse is subject to various influential factors that shape their compensation within the dynamic healthcare industry.

Location, Location, Location!

Location is a massive factor in travel nurse salary. Often new travel nurses want to work locally or go to popular destination locations. The problem? So does everyone else. A traveler will get paid less in a destination location because there is a high demand for travelers wanting to work at that location. This lessens the demand for nurses. Destination locations include states like Florida and Colorado, especially during the winter months. In areas like South Dakota where there isn’t a huge destination draw, a traveler will get paid more because the facility has to compensate generously to get candidates there.

Cost-of-Living

Another factor in the location that affects travel nurse salary is cost-of-living. You may get paid more to work in a certain location, like Los Angeles. Why? Living in these areas costs a lot! High-cost-of-living locations are normally metropolitan areas like New York City, Boston, and San Francisco. Cost-of-living is precisely what it sounds like, it takes into account the cost of living a certain lifestyle in a given location. This includes food, rent, transportation, etc. These are all elements that play into your travel nurse salary. Always do research on the cost of living in the area you are looking to travel to, before traveling.

Let’s be honest, working the night shift pays more! It takes a certain kind of person who can quite literally work until the sun comes up. Some nurses prefer the night shift and crush the nocturnal lifestyle, while others don’t. There are lots of tips for becoming a night shift nurse, so don’t NOC it until you try it. If you are a tried and true day-shift worker, that is okay! You can earn extra cash working overtime, on weekends, and on holidays. There are plenty of differentials you can take advantage of to supplement your travel nurse salary!

Travel Nursing Expenses : Taxes, Stipends, Benefits

Taxes, stipends, benefits, oh my! Travel nursing expenses tend to be one of the more complicated areas. There is a lot of misconception and confusion, especially among first-time travelers. If you have a question always reach out to your recruiter or account manager! In this section, we are going to answer some of the main questions about taxes, stipends, and benefits and how this impacts your travel nurse salary.

Stipends and Tax-Free Money

We personalize all our travel nurse contracts and pay packages based on each individual nurse. One question we get a lot is about tax-free money. To qualify for travel stipends, also known as tax-free money, you must be duplicating living expenses. This is obvious if you are moving cross-country for a travel contract. Our Housing Coordinator will get you set up with a hotel, VRBO, or Airbnb. Your options are limitless when it comes to choosing your travel nurse housing . Your stipends, or tax-free money, will be paid out weekly in your checks!

Local Travelers and the 50-Mile Rule

If you are a local traveler this can be more confusing. A lot of the time the “50 Mile Rule” comes up. This is a fictional rule that states if you exceed 50 miles from your residence, you qualify for stipends. The IRS never set this. You must always duplicate living expenses to qualify, regardless of mileage. Some local travelers duplicate their living expenses by staying in a hotel or Airbnb on certain days of the week to cut down on driving. Since they duplicate their living expenses, they will see the stipends in their weekly check.

We are not an accounting firm, so we always tell our travelers to talk with their tax advisors about specific questions regarding tax-free stipends.

Travel Nurse Benefits

Travel nurse benefits vary depending on the agency. At PRN Healthcare if you work 30+ hours a week, you qualify for a comprehensive benefits package! This includes health, vision, dental, and life insurance along with a 401K plan, referral bonuses, renewal bonuses, and continuing education (CEUS) reimbursement. Click here to see a full list of benefits! PRN Healthcare is big into mental health and offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that gives employees access to free short-term counseling, financial and legal consultations, and more! Make sure to talk to your agency to see what benefits they offer.

How To Increase Travel Nurse Salary?

Exploring avenues to enhance a travel nurse salary involves understanding various strategies and considerations that can positively impact compensation within the dynamic healthcare industry.

Negotiate Pay

Some agencies have the best rate upfront, others do not. Being open and honest with your recruiter about your travel nurse salary expectations is important. If you really want to go to a certain location but the pay isn’t to your standards, ask them for more money. Sometimes the recruiters can match other agency rates and can reach out to the facility to see if they can budge on the pay. It is the recruiter’s job to find you the perfect contract, so be sure to state your needs and wants when it comes to compensation. Blue Pipes highlighted the different ways to negotiate pay:

• Collaborating: Attempt to reach the best outcome for both parties.
• Competing: Try to maximize your own outcome with no regard for others.
• Accommodating: Put the other party’s concerns first.
• Compromising: Try to reach a middle ground.
• Avoiding: Do not negotiate at all.

Ideally, you will model a collaborative approach with your recruiter and reach the best outcome for both of you!

Renewal Bonus

Loyalty means a lot! Some agencies, like PRN Healthcare, will give you a renewal bonus for signing on to another contract or extending it. This is often calculated by the hours you worked in your last contract. So if you worked 48-hour weeks during a 13-week contract, you worked a total of 624 hours. PRN Healthcare would then give you a $624 bonus for continuing to work with us as a thank you! An added bonus of extending your contract is that it’s easy on the nurse, facility, and account manager! Here is everything you need to know about extending your contract in 2022 .

Referral Bonuses

Referral bonuses are easy money-makers! If you know a nurse who is looking for new opportunities, refer them and make money while they work. That’s it! It is really that easy. If your referred friend starts working, you start making money too! At PRN Healthcare you get up to $500 for every working friend. This is a great way to earn extra cash while helping your friends find new and exciting opportunities!

Be Flexible

The most important part when looking to make more money as a travel nurse is being flexible! For example, South Dakota may not be the most appealing place to travel but it might have the highest pay for you and your specialty at this time! Being flexible with location is a huge factor in travel nurse salary.

When a travel nurse is traveling locally, they may have their eye set on a facility that is a 15-minute drive away. Sometimes there are facilities that are paying more but are a 30-minute drive instead. Will the extra 15 minutes deter you? These are just some examples that might be thrown at you throughout your career. We always recommend being flexible. The small detour you may not have taken might lead to the best destination!

What Additional Advantages Can You Expect as a Travel Nurse?

Travel nursing offers a unique and rewarding career path with a multitude of advantages. Beyond the basic benefits of nursing, such as job stability and a competitive salary, travel nurses enjoy several additional advantages that make this profession highly appealing. Here are some of the additional advantages you can expect as a travel nurse:

• Diverse Work Settings: Travel nursing allows you to experience a variety of healthcare settings. You might work in large urban hospitals, rural clinics, or specialty facilities. This diversity can help you build a well-rounded skill set and adapt to different patient populations.
• Exploration of New Places: One of the most significant perks of travel nursing is the opportunity to explore different regions and cities. You can live in and experience the culture of various locations across the country. This enables you to satisfy your wanderlust while advancing your career.
• Flexibility: Travel nursing offers flexibility in terms of assignments and scheduling. You can choose when and where you want to work, which allows for a better work-life balance. Many travel nursing agencies offer customizable contracts to meet your preferences.
• Competitive Compensation: Travel nurses typically earn higher pay than their permanent counterparts. In addition to your base salary, you may receive tax-free stipends for housing and meals, which can significantly boost your income. Some assignments also offer extension bonuses.
• Professional Growth: Working in different healthcare facilities exposes you to a wide range of medical conditions and patient populations. This can enhance your clinical skills and make you a more versatile nurse. You’ll also have the chance to learn from different healthcare professionals and adapt to various healthcare systems.
• Networking Opportunities: Travel nursing allows you to expand your professional network. You’ll meet nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals from various backgrounds, which can be valuable for your career advancement.
• Continuing Education and Certifications: Some travel nursing agencies offer incentives for furthering your education and obtaining certifications. This not only enhances your knowledge but also increases your marketability as a nurse.
• Adventure and New Experiences: Travel nursing is not just a job; it’s an adventure. You’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in new cultures, try new foods, and explore new activities during your assignments. These experiences can be personally enriching.
• Tax Benefits: Depending on your tax situation, you may be eligible for certain tax advantages as a travel nurse. Consult with a tax professional to understand the tax implications and potential deductions available to you.
• Personal Growth: Travel nursing often requires you to step out of your comfort zone and adapt to new environments. This can lead to personal growth, increased self-confidence, and improved problem-solving skills.

Travel Nursing and Job Growth

Traveling nursing is continuously growing and a high-demand job throughout the country. This will continue for the next several years since the healthcare field always has a shortage of workers. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics , the Occupational Employment Statistics and demand for RNs is projected to grow 6 percent through 2021. This could be due to a variety of reasons like chronic diseases, longer life expectancies, and the workforce going into retirement.

Travel nursing opens a door to huge benefits and opportunities! One of those opportunities is definitely the influx of money! If you are willing to be flexible, travel to different high-paying states, and are open about your travel nurse salary requirements, you will succeed as a traveling nurse! We hope we answered your question “How much do travel nurses make?” If you have more questions, let us answer them for you! Get in contact with a recruiter .

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