How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

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  • Updated on: June 11, 2025

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.

  1. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA: This city has the highest average annual salary for registered nurses at $174,370.
  2. Vallejo-Fairfield, CA: Registered nurses here have an average annual salary of $171,620.
  3. 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! 

Sohini M.

Author

Sohini has completed her training on Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) program and shares a passion for writing. She is dedicated to spreading vital medical knowledge through her engaging and informative articles. Sohini also enjoys volunteering in her community and staying updated on the latest advancements in medical science.