Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Who is a travel nurse, and what is their average salary in the US?
- Factors That Influence Travel Nurse Salaries
- Travel Nurse: Benefits and Perks
- Top Paying States and Cities in the U.S. for Travel Nurses
- Take Your Nursing Career to the Next Level Now!
Ever thought about how much a travel nurse’s salary is while seeing the country and new things? Well, the figures may amaze you! Travel nursing has emerged as one of the ideal and most financially rewarding healthcare careers today, with the best of both adventure and fat paychecks. Most travel nurses can earn between $100,000 a year, and some jobs have even more based on location and specialty.
But it’s not the pay that sets this career apart — travel nurses also get benefits such as housing stipends, travel reimbursements, and the chance to experience new hospital environments, discover new cities (or even countries). So, if you’re an adventurous nurse who wants to earn more, travel nursing might be your key to a fulfilling career and life on the road. Ready to learn more? Let’s get into the nitty-gritty!
Travel nurse in the U.S and their average salary?
A travel nurse is a registered nurse who accepts temporary assignments, generally for 13 weeks, at different healthcare organizations in areas to fill shortages. This position entails working with travel agencies for jobs aligned with their skills and interests.
Do travel nurses make good money? Yes, travel nursing is short-term employment in areas of high demand. Their salaries include hourly wages, housing and travel allowances, and incentives. For example, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides a travel card for costs. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers premium pay with shift differentials. However, their compensation varies with contract length, agency selection, and the nurse’s experience.
Busy areas such as California and Alaska generally pay more. So, how much do travel nurses get paid? As of Feb 25, 2025, the hourly pay of a travel nurse is $48.62. This leads to higher travel nurse weekly pay.
Factors That Influence Travel Nurse Salaries
Travel nurse pay in the United States is determined by several key variables like location, specialization, experience, demand, and the health care facility. If travel nurses learn how location, specialization, experience, demand, and facility type affect their remuneration, they can enhance their earnings and make better career choices. The following is a preview of the essential factors that drive travel nurse remuneration:
Location
Geographical variations directly affect the overall travel nurse income. States like Washington and New York provide higher average salaries, whereas Alabama and South Dakota have lower pay scales. In the U.S., 29 states have been identified offering a travel nurse job salary that is above the national average, with Washington topping the chart.
| Top Five States | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
| Washington | $114,542 | $9,545 | $2,202 | $55.07 |
| District of Columbia | $114,282 | $9,523 | $2,197 | $54.94 |
| New York | $110,642 | $9,220 | $2,127 | $53.19 |
| Massachusetts | $110,449 | $9,204 | $2,124 | $53.10 |
| New Brunswick | $109,373 | $9,114 | $2,103 | $52.58 |
Speciality
Travel registered nurses who specialize in high-demand fields such as Intensive Care Units (ICU), Emergency Rooms (ER), Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), and Operating Rooms (OR) tend to earn more than regular RNs. The BLS reports that specialized positions, such as Nurse Practitioners, receive higher median salaries due to the higher demand and skill set needed.
| Nurse’s Specialization | Weekly Pay |
| Operating Room(OR) Nurses | $3,041 |
| Labor and Delivery(L&D) Nurse | $2,857 |
| Neonatal Intensive Care Unit | $2,836 |
| Intensive Care Unit | $2,807 |
| Emergency Room(ER) Nurses | $2,752 |
| Step-down Unit Nurse | $2,736 |
| Pediatrics Nurse | $2,731 |
| Telemetry Nurse | $2,698 |
| Medical Surgical Nurse | $2,534 |
Experience
Experience significantly impacts a travel nurse’s salary, with those boasting 5 or more years in the field often commanding up to 30% higher than their less-experienced counterparts. For instance, ZipRecruiter reports that the highest-earning travel nurses can make as much as $184,000 annually. Travel nurses with advanced skills and certifications are paid more because of their high-demand skills in different healthcare facilities. Other factors are also responsible, such as high demand for flexible, temporary staff willing to relocate.
| Experience Level | Annual Pay |
| Entry Level Nurses(0-2 years) | $97,760 |
| Experienced Nurses(7-12years) | $109,200 |
| Senior Level Nurses(8+years) | $123,000 |
Demand & Seasonality
Changes in healthcare requirements due to flu seasons, pandemics, or natural disasters may increase the demand for travel nurses. They may be paid much better to secure required staff during difficult times. The table below summarizes how these factors affect the compensation of a travel nurse.
| Demand | Pay |
| High demand States | Top-paying states like Washington and New York pay an annual salary of $114,542 and $110,642 |
| Seasonal Variations (Flu, Season) | In early 2022, travel nurses’ weekly pay spiked to $3200 due to higher demand |
| Pandemics or Natural Disasters | Wages of travel nurses surged as high as 3.4 times the wages of full-time nurses in January 2021 |
Facility Type
Pay is different in various healthcare facilities. Advanced nurses earn more than those in private hospitals or outpatient care facilities. This difference also affects how much money travel nurses make per assignment.
| Facility | Mean Annual Wage |
| Government | $86,970 |
| State, Local, and Private Hospitals | $85,020 |
| Ambulatory Healthcare Services | $79,400 |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities | $68,450 |
Travel nurses need to know these variables to maximize their income, make good career choices, and achieve their highest earnings.
Read more: Should Nurses Get ACLS Certification?
Travel Nurse: Benefits and Perks
Travel nurses enjoy benefits, including housing stipends, travel reimbursements, and health insurance, with some positions offering total compensation packages worth over $10,000 a month. This lucrative setup allows nurses to explore new locations while enjoying competitive pay and comprehensive benefits. Find out more below:
Housing Stipends
Numerous agencies offer accommodations or pay rent for travel nurses. For example, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides lodging at General Services Administration (GSA) rates for extended travel to assigned sites. Comfortable homes are provided to nurses without personal financial outlays.
Travel Reimbursements
Travel nurses often receive travel reimbursements averaging between $500 and $700 per assignment, helping to offset relocation expenses. Additionally, government travel cards pay for approved expenses to ensure smooth transitions between assignments. Airfare and other travel expenses can make nurses concentrate on patient care without worrying about money.
Bonuses & Overtime
Other monetary rewards, such as completion and referral bonuses, are prevalent in travel nursing. Although exact bonus structures differ per agency, the bonuses reward the adaptability and dedication involved in travel nursing positions. Additionally, overtime options enable nurses to earn more.
Tax-Free Benefits
Travel nurses can receive tax-free stipends for housing, meals, and incidentals, potentially adding up to $20,000 to $50,000 annually. This tax benefit adds to the overall compensation package, making travel nursing financially lucrative.
Travel nursing provides an enhanced compensation package beyond base pay. Additionally, housing assistance, travel pay, performance bonuses, and tax-free benefits are the perks a travel nurse is entitled to.
Read more: Why is ACLS Certification Important for Healthcare Providers?
Top Paying States and Cities in the U.S. for Travel Nurses
How much do travel nurses make? Nurses’ pay can vary state-wise in the United States. United States travel nurses tend to find good jobs in areas that pay well. The following are the top-paying states:
- California: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS) indicates that California provides the highest average annual salary for registered nurses, at around $137,690.
- Hawaii: Registered nurses have an average annual salary of $119,710.
- Oregon: The average annual salary for registered nurses in Oregon is $113,440
Top Paying Major Cities
Some cities pay advanced travel nurses more based on demand and cost of living to offset the higher living expenses. These cities offer opportunities for maximum earnings in the nursing field.
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA: This city has the highest average annual salary for registered nurses at $174,370.
- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA: Registered nurses here have an average annual salary of $171,620.
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: The average annual salary for registered nurses here is $170,780.
To answer, how much does a travel nurse make a year? You know now that travel nurses in these regions can earn significantly more than the national average.
Cost-of-Living Adjustments
Although California and San Francisco provide higher pay, the cost of living in these areas is higher. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows that the West Region, which covers California, had a 0.6% increase in January 2025.
Travel nurses must consider these points to determine if greater pay balances living costs.
Take Your Nursing Career to the Next Level Now!
How much does a travel nurse make? Although wages differ by location, specialty, and demand, with competitive weekly travel nurse salary and lucrative hourly rates, these nurses earn more than staff nurses, particularly in states such as California and Hawaii. One pressing question is, how much do travel nurses make an hour? Rates may be between $40 and more than $100, depending on experience and location. Weekly salaries can be more than $3000, especially in hot markets. Benefits such as housing allowances, travel reimbursement, and bonuses make this work all the more appealing. Get better-paying opportunities by upskilling yourself to handle emergencies. Enroll in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification today!
