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 updates every month!

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

Travel nurse salary trends from now back to 2019, toggle right to move between insights 'last 12 months' and 'since 2019'.
All the charts in this article default to "Last 12 months" but you can toggle right to see "Since 2019" travel nurse salary insights.
Travel nurse salary trends from now back to 2019, toggle right to move between insights 'last 12 months' and 'since 2019'.
View our full history of pay insights going back to September 2019 using the toggle in the right-hand corner of any of our graphs in this article.

More than 10 million jobs analyzed and more than 5 years later, we're proud to bring you objective overviews on the travel RN job market you can't find anywhere else.

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

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

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.

To view travel nurse salary averages for specific specialties use the interactive pay explorer at the top of this article.

To get full details on how much travel nurses can make check out my guide: How much do Travel Nurses make?

A smiling travel nurse in sneakers and scrubs sits on a counter with her laptop, pondering her travel nurse salary.
I'm Veronica, RN & StellarNurse founder. This travel nurse salary guide should make finding fair pay a breeze as you peruse current pay packages perched on your kitchen counter. ;)

Average Travel Nurse Salary

The average travel nurse salary has been higher than the median staff nurse salary as long as I've been tracking travel nurse salary ranges - since 2019.

Let's check how the current average travel nurse salary compares to the median staff nurse salary.

Average Travel Nurse Salary vs Staff Nurse Salary

Average Pay🚗 Travel Nurses🏥 Staff Nurses
Hourly Rates$60$45
Weekly Pay$2,158$1,620
Monthly Income$9,417$7,800
Annual Salary$103,584$93,600

Travel Nurses on average make $60 per hour, $2,158 weekly pay, $9,417 monthly income or $103,584 annual salary, according to pay package data aggregated by StellarNurse.com.

The median for full-time staff RN's in the U.S. is $45 hourly pay, $1,620 per week, $7,800 per month, or $93,600 annually according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics registered nurse occupational outlook.

Why Do Travel Nurses Make So Much?

Nurse in blue scrubs beside copy that answers 'why do travel nurses make so much?' by listing high skill and readiness to work.
Travel nurses make so much because they're adaptable to new work environments, fill critical staffing gaps & require minimal orientation. This is why you need 1-2+ years minimum experience to start travel nursing.

In short, high demand = higher compensation.

We're all aware healthcare facilities nationwide are experiencing a nursing retention gap. The hospital industry in particular is failing to retain registered nurses in full-time positions with the unsafe and unsustainable working conditions nurses are expected to work in.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 189,100 openings for registered nurses each year through 2034, much higher than average for all other US occupations.

With our nursing skills in high demand and our working conditions being high-risk, we deserve higher pay. As National Nurses United rightfully states, nurses are regularly put in dangerous working conditions including:

  • Intentional low RN staffing levels imposed by hospital managers
  • Inadequate occupational health and safety protections
  • Increasing levels of violence in the workplace
  • Insufficient stock of critical medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE)

We travel nurses earn our 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 zero orientation and staffing support.

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.

Is Travel Nursing Worth It?

Illustration of multiple hands offering money to a thoughtful nurse, highlighted by phrase 'is travel nursing worth it?'
You'll need to decide for yourself is travel nursing is worth it for you. But a recent sweeping study definitely shows travel nurses are happier in their jobs than staff nurses!

There's good news!

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

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.

Travel nurses report higher satisfaction and less workplace stress in their jobs than permanent staff nurses.

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.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Understanding a travel nurse pay breakdown will help you compare pay package offers and spot the jobs that are worth your relocation.

Travel nurses get paid weekly and make higher wages on average as contracted temporary employees of travel nursing agencies, and 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.

Travel Nurse Pay Package Breakdown 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
  • $780 Travel Reimbursement - One Time payment
  • $30 Base Rate - Hourly pay rate

It's confusing! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Graphic of travel nurse pay package example and travel nurse salary with gross pay $2,340 for 36 hours per week.

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.

How does a Travel Nurse Pay Package breakdown?

Pay Package Offer - 13 weeksWeekly Pay - 36 hrs/wkHourly Rates - 468 hrs/contract
$400 Weekly M&IE - Meals & Incidental Expenses$400$11.11
$3,200 Monthly Housing Stipend$800$22.22
$780 One-time Travel Reimbursement$60$1.66
$30 Hourly Base Rate$1,080$30
Total Gross Pay (Pre-Taxes)$2,340 pay per week$65 per hour - "Blended Rate"

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.

Travel nurse salary shown in a travel nurse pay breakdown, 36 hours for $2,340 per week pay, $65 per hour blended rate.

What's your Travel Nurse "Blended Rate"?

Your "blended rate" is your travel nurse pay package offer broken down into a pre-tax hourly pay rate.

Calculating your 'blended rate' travel nurse pay makes it easier to compare pay packages and to clarify your pay expectations.

The standard travel nurse contract is for 468 hours; spread across 36 hours per week, 13 weeks per travel nurse assignment.

You can calculate your blended rate by breaking down all compensation components of your pay package offer into hourly rates.

Divide all the parts of your pay package into your contracted work hours - usually 468 hours for a standard 36-hour work week over a 13-week travel nurse contract.

This blended rate is a pre-tax estimation. This will depend on your personal tax situation, and how much of your pay package are fully taxed.

Gettting tax-free money is one of the biggest benefits of travel nursing!

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.

Weekly Pay Package OfferWhat's Taxable?
$400 M&IE (Meals & Incidental Expenses)NO ❌
$800 Housing StipendNO ❌
$60 Travel ReimbursementNO ❌
$1,080 Hourly Base RateYes
$2,340 GrossOnly $1,080 Taxed

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.

Last 12 months 

Map Chart: Top Paying Travel Nursing States

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.

Highest Paying States for Travel Nurses

Last 12 months 
State Average Weekly Pay Weekly Pay St. Deviation# Jobs Observed
Alaska$2,449.62$537.709,487
California$2,393.64$500.00109,517
Vermont$2,370.77$585.0418,898
New York$2,340.20$434.9484,206
Massachusetts$2,334.54$487.3368,724
Wisconsin$2,320.28$711.2451,902
North Dakota$2,315.85$510.9616,322
Connecticut$2,269.53$480.8513,558
South Dakota$2,248.06$488.4314,566
Illinois$2,228.66$453.1554,010
New Jersey$2,222.72$436.8727,439
Nebraska$2,219.28$388.9519,547
Oregon$2,218.91$433.2728,566
Rhode Island$2,215.65$477.234,825
New Hampshire$2,211.34$463.6925,835
Washington$2,202.14$423.3550,791
Utah$2,189.96$413.193,599
Minnesota$2,185.63$574.8718,536
West Virginia$2,176.50$425.7218,066
Hawaii$2,169.55$451.9211,997
Idaho$2,167.88$370.169,794
Arizona$2,165.44$389.8442,084
Montana$2,155.72$406.1916,804
Wyoming$2,152.46$411.556,478
Iowa$2,151.87$390.8038,593
Nevada$2,148.90$427.376,434
District Of Columbia$2,143.82$383.155,200
Maine$2,140.21$411.4920,564
Ohio$2,127.17$405.4151,751
Colorado$2,119.74$421.1135,908
Pennsylvania$2,108.61$473.8343,078
Kentucky$2,099.06$347.8321,532
Delaware$2,091.52$439.353,656
Michigan$2,085.30$438.5235,780
Virginia$2,082.67$371.9351,620
Oklahoma$2,081.81$335.0722,953
Indiana$2,074.80$386.5834,800
Missouri$2,064.03$354.3233,950
Kansas$2,039.34$421.4021,435
Maryland$2,033.42$389.6127,219
Arkansas$1,980.11$421.117,717
Louisiana$1,973.76$372.1011,312
Tennessee$1,941.82$319.6825,650
South Carolina$1,939.16$338.1626,484
North Carolina$1,935.58$342.6769,877
Georgia$1,932.28$362.0958,831
New Mexico$1,919.02$434.9926,735
Florida$1,907.91$345.3740,756
Mississippi$1,894.89$495.756,514
Texas$1,892.71$368.9374,065
Alabama$1,815.87$320.1914,910
Table: Travel Nurse States by Highest Paying. Standard deviation explanation.

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)

  1. California Consistently has the best pay and the most jobs by a long shot. Both inside and outside of the pandemic.
  2. New Jersey Solid opportunities for both pay and job availability.
  3. Washington D.C. Great income, but fewer job openings.
  4. Alaska Decent pay and lots of jobs, despite reputation for low rates. Current rates lower than pre-covid19.
  5. 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:

  1. California Holds 9 of our top 10 spots for highest-paying metro areas
  2. East Coast New York City-Newark, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC
  3. Pacific Northwest Seattle-Tacoma, Portland
  4. Midwest St Louis, Chicago
  5. 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.

Last 12 months 
Travel Nursing Specialty Average Weekly Pay Weekly Pay St. Deviation# Jobs Observed
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA / CRNA)$7,229.61$425.457
Cardiovascular / Cardiothoracic Surgery (PA / CV / CT Surg)$5,601.94$449.666
Physicist (Non-Healthcare / Phys)$5,545.47$1,129.70289
Perfusionist (Allied / Perf)$5,217.45$893.49354
Emergency Medicine (PA / ED)$3,981.60$261.893
Psychologist (Allied / CP)$3,486.70$853.9440
Assistant Nurse Manager (RN / Asst RN Mgr)$3,089.08$606.0214
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP / FNP)$2,983.44$919.2610
Dosimetrist (Allied / Dosimetrist)$2,983.37$424.73170
Visual Impairments Teacher (School Services / School)$2,847.95$1,904.7520
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RN / RNFA)$2,745.55$822.991,924
Audiologist (Allied / Aud)$2,700.56$613.23123
Doctor of Pharmacy (Allied / PharmD)$2,686.76$477.554,049
Critical Care Flight / Transport Nurse (RN / Flight)$2,664.17$668.5547
Interventional Radiology Technologist (Allied / IR Tech)$2,636.29$439.7618,213
Lactation (RN / Lactation)$2,617.53$416.5927
Pathology Assistant (Allied / Path Asst)$2,606.79$538.19566
Special Procedures Technologist (Allied / Special Procedures Tech)$2,606.42$384.411,079
Infection Control (RN / Infection)$2,591.25$662.11420
Nurse Manager (RN / RN Mgr)$2,590.98$705.462,295
Administrative (RN / Admin)$2,590.37$500.97184
Director of Nursing (RN / DON)$2,567.96$765.61765
Cardiovascular Cath Lab Technologist (Allied / Cardiac Cath Lab Tech)$2,565.97$429.0032,286
Nurse Navigator (RN / RN Navigator)$2,547.54$351.3141
Electrophysiology Lab Technician (Allied / EP Lab Tech)$2,528.59$379.213,814
House Supervisor (Supervisor / House Sup)$2,504.59$485.511,231
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Allied / CNMT)$2,496.22$422.8411,408
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist (RN / CDI)$2,491.81$256.7450
Pediatric Operating Room (RN / Peds OR)$2,488.58$477.67671
Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / CVOR)$2,487.65$444.3014,147
Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / Peds CVICU)$2,487.14$333.46606
Multi-Modality Technologist (Allied / Multi-Modality Technologist)$2,486.32$290.80219
Electrophysiology Lab (RN / EP Lab)$2,481.64$450.982,469
Cardiac Cath Lab (RN / Cath Lab)$2,480.23$381.2028,798
Pediatric Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / Peds CVOR)$2,478.15$454.4857
Interventional Radiology (RN / IR)$2,466.50$392.298,070
Computed Tomography Technologist (Allied / CT Tech)$2,460.75$426.1491,208
Special Procedures (RN / Special Procedures)$2,452.46$402.79123
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (RN / PICU)$2,438.25$475.097,708
Diagnostic Radiologist (Allied / Radiologist)$2,429.11$313.02280
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (School Services / BCBA)$2,422.74$705.1168
Radiotherapist (Allied / Radiotherapy)$2,422.05$457.478,320
MRI Technologist (Allied / MRI Technologist)$2,421.16$407.3629,952
Public Health (RN / Pub Hlth)$2,413.59$618.363
Radiology (RN / Radiology)$2,410.67$335.021,473
Patient Care Coordinator (RN / PCC)$2,400.39$582.3374
Labor & Delivery (RN / L&D)$2,395.10$435.0259,658
Clerical (Non-Healthcare / Clerical)$2,388.06$1,019.635
MRI Technician (Allied / MRI Tech)$2,385.19$369.5610,501
Mammography Tech (Allied / Mammo Tech)$2,381.35$397.889,154
Echocardiograph Technologist (Allied / Echo Technologist)$2,374.47$336.285,282
Echo-Vascular Technician (Allied / Echo/Vasc Tech)$2,360.43$656.881,447
Vascular Access Nurse (RN / PICC RN)$2,339.75$485.44161
Nurse Educator (RN / Education)$2,335.44$876.44440
Cytotechnologist (Allied / Cyto)$2,329.68$423.58779
School Psychologist, Certified (School Services / NCSP)$2,329.35$683.45196
Wound Care (RN / Wound)$2,322.98$432.252,226
Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / Peds PACU)$2,313.77$350.39190
Admissions (RN / ADM)$2,307.34$275.5938
Echocardiograph Technician (Allied / Echo Tech)$2,302.54$338.925,717
Pediatric Hematology - Oncology (RN / Peds Heme/Onc)$2,298.15$324.20290
Clinical Nurse Coordinator (RN / CNC)$2,295.08$446.76110
Vascular Technologist (Allied / RVT)$2,289.72$387.152,811
Pediatric Progressive Care Unit (RN / Peds PCU)$2,287.85$244.54399
OB/GYN (RN / OB/GYN)$2,283.62$403.663,491
Utilization Review (RN / UR)$2,278.65$420.64321
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RN / CRNA)$2,273.15$2,300.29126
Case Management (RN / CM)$2,270.32$426.379,844
Ultrasound Technologist (Allied / US Technologist)$2,268.70$383.7623,443
Hematology (RN / Heme)$2,265.74$278.2399
Pediatric Emergency Department (RN / Peds ED)$2,265.68$391.291,778
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / CVICU)$2,264.69$397.5115,875
Coronary Care Unit (RN / CCU)$2,260.24$307.313,567
Pediatric Oncology (RN / Peds Onc)$2,257.49$765.5269
Same Day Surgery (RN / SDS)$2,250.00$318.397
Operating Room (RN / OR)$2,248.49$420.0454,020
Float Pool (RN / Float)$2,246.74$319.911,348
Surgical Oncology (RN / Surg Onc)$2,244.29$300.0495
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RN / NICU)$2,242.82$397.9713,821
Nephrology (RN / Neph)$2,225.30$888.09124
Hematology / Oncology (RN / Heme / Onc)$2,223.58$337.27733
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (RN / CTICU)$2,223.56$311.80473
Burn Intensive Care Unit (RN / BICU)$2,222.41$461.01459
Orthopedic Neurology (RN / Ortho / Neuro)$2,222.26$256.3890
Cardiology (RN / Cardio)$2,217.68$365.651,104
Ultrasound-Sonography Technician (Allied / US/Sono Tech)$2,214.47$334.916,774
Infusion Therapy (RN / Infusion)$2,210.16$389.731,992
Obstetric Ultrasound - Sonographer (Allied / OB/GYN US)$2,208.05$470.77142
Neurology Intensive Care Unit (RN / Neuro ICU)$2,206.01$299.193,256
Pediatrics (RN / Peds)$2,203.22$357.116,157
Bone Marrow Transplant (RN / BMT)$2,176.90$257.01703
Step Down Unit (RN / SDU)$2,172.81$276.5813,437
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (RN / SICU)$2,163.52$341.781,403
Direct Observation Unit (RN / DOU)$2,159.85$294.741,180
Urgent Care (RN / Urgent Care)$2,157.58$372.95241
Intensive Care Unit (RN / ICU)$2,157.37$361.9771,979
Cardiac Stepdown Unit (RN / CSDU)$2,157.32$295.192,439
Neurology (RN / Neuro)$2,151.18$410.753,834
Oncology (RN / Onc)$2,144.96$364.9214,727
Postpartum (RN / PP)$2,143.43$431.004,684
Emergency Department (RN / ED)$2,142.88$347.6389,358
Transplant (RN / Transplant)$2,136.67$341.55326
Radiology Technologist (Allied / X-Ray Technologist)$2,136.09$419.5139,243
Endoscopy (RN / Endo)$2,134.52$371.116,103
Postoperative (RN / Post-op)$2,132.37$278.3064
Ambulatory Care (RN / Amb)$2,130.58$364.261,257
Medical Surgical Telemetry (RN / Med Surg Tele)$2,123.56$280.1150,889
Therapeutic Apheresis (RN / Apheresis)$2,120.03$343.6556
X-Ray Technician (Allied / X-Ray Tech)$2,117.57$260.101,947
Charge Nurse (RN / Charge)$2,117.28$391.80123
Gastrointestinal Lab (RN / GI Lab)$2,116.27$317.341,267
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / PACU)$2,114.21$372.7019,167
Acute Care (RN / Acute)$2,106.13$355.303,120
Home Health (RN / HH)$2,104.62$406.4417,722
Dialysis (RN / Dialysis)$2,099.12$288.957,230
Hospice (RN / Hospice)$2,099.03$384.975,379
Progressive Care Unit (RN / PCU)$2,098.52$318.4350,198
Trauma Intensive Care Unit (RN / TICU)$2,090.70$363.041,054
Telemetry (RN / Tele)$2,085.02$346.3552,410
Certified Surgical First Assistant (Allied / CSFA)$2,081.99$356.482,106
Radiology Technician (Allied / Rad Tech)$2,073.84$403.4820,008
Pain Management (RN / Pain Mgt)$2,073.62$289.1639
Outpatient Clinic (RN / Outpatient)$2,072.32$359.363,775
CVOR Technologist (Allied / CVOR Tech)$2,053.67$365.9710,182
Occupational Health (RN / Occ Health)$2,049.44$264.29204
Medical Surgical (RN / Med Surg)$2,041.31$348.78104,554
Research / Clinical Research (RN / Research)$2,036.02$383.50169
Psychiatric - Mental Health (RN / Psych)$2,032.37$341.7513,347
Long Term Acute Care (RN / LTAC)$2,031.61$379.2310,241
Physical Therapy (Therapy / PT)$2,030.10$339.17109,730
Assistant Director of Nursing (RN / Asst. DON)$2,026.40$771.21121
Perioperative (RN / Peri-op)$2,017.45$336.301,622
Orthopedic (RN / Ortho)$2,017.31$282.223,284
Respiratory Therapist (Allied / RT)$2,010.97$386.5142,151
Speech Language Pathologist (Allied / SLP)$2,002.41$331.3927,196
Neurology Progressive Care Unit (RN / Neuro PCU)$2,000.14$297.711,197
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Allied / LCSW)$1,986.02$449.413,878
Corrections (RN / Corr)$1,971.73$310.303,297
Obstetric Technician (Allied / OB Tech)$1,971.05$402.04641
Urology (RN / Urology)$1,944.06$321.87157
Occupational Therapy (Therapy / OT)$1,943.86$336.7337,891
Special Education Teacher (School Services / Special Ed)$1,940.36$1,071.95885
School Nurse (RN / School Nurse)$1,923.96$369.85171
Stroke / Neuro (RN / Stroke / Neuro)$1,909.73$243.7567
Skilled Nursing Facility (RN / SNF)$1,905.60$494.026,205
Recreational Therapist (Therapy / RT)$1,902.47$317.4669
Polysomnographer (Allied / Sleep Tech)$1,897.01$266.581,380
Electroencephalogram Technologist (Allied / EEG Technologist)$1,891.40$300.13937
Long Term Care (RN / LTC)$1,883.36$344.5917,820
Electroencephalogram Technician (Allied / EEG Tech)$1,874.91$275.58700
Registered Dietician (Allied / RDCD)$1,872.08$250.03673
Long Term Acute Care (LPN / LVN / LTAC)$1,870.70$128.7510
Rehabilitation (RN / Rehab)$1,862.41$377.2610,422
Rehabilitation Therapy (Allied / Rehab Therapy)$1,839.26$374.121,108
Telehealth (RN / Telehealth)$1,789.37$415.2885
Psychiatry - Mental Health (NP / Psych)$1,788.64$205.073
Medical Tech / Medical Laboratory Scientist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Allied / MT / MLS / CLS)$1,782.05$481.209,070
Operating Room / Surgical Technician (Allied / OR / Surg Tech)$1,768.99$404.2236,777
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (Allied / SLPA)$1,762.72$301.77221
Vaccinations (RN / Vax)$1,709.88$345.325
Emergency Department (LPN / LVN / ED)$1,688.40$493.0870
Paramedic (Allied / Paramedic)$1,647.39$315.70276
Histotechnician (Allied / HT)$1,628.89$289.83411
School Nurse (LPN / LVN / School Nurse)$1,551.36$275.2143
Hospice (LPN / LVN / Hospice)$1,551.35$280.94146
Endoscopy Technician (Allied / Endo Tech)$1,536.23$339.98955
Home Health (LPN / LVN / HH)$1,533.52$185.212,194
Psychiatric - Mental Health (LPN / LVN / Psych)$1,522.48$248.41247
Emergency Department Technician (Allied / ED Tech)$1,493.56$437.3997
Anesthesia Technician (Allied / Anesthesia Tech)$1,492.21$300.73473
Telemetry (LPN / LVN / Tele)$1,488.90$354.8187
Corrections (LPN / LVN / Corr)$1,452.27$238.072,359
Long Term Care (LPN / LVN / LTC)$1,439.11$233.3918,490
Electrocardiograph Technician (Allied / EKG Tech)$1,404.85$385.37160
Outpatient Clinic (LPN / LVN / Outpatient)$1,403.13$387.751,907
Antepartum (RN / Antepartum)$1,400.15$595.17664
Physical Therapy Assistant (Therapy / PTA)$1,376.20$250.7626,242
Pharmacy Technician (Allied / Pharm Tech)$1,362.84$475.56470
Occupational Therapy Assistant (Therapy / OTA)$1,358.87$242.222,229
Telemetry Monitor Technician (Allied / Tele / Monitor Tech)$1,346.71$356.80497
Medical Surgical (LPN / LVN / Med Surg)$1,345.87$240.801,496
LPN / LVN (LPN / LVN / LPN / LVN)$1,309.51$262.9810,444
Psychiatric - Mental Health Technician (Allied / Psych Tech)$1,274.61$264.8946
Dialysis Technician (Allied / Dialysis Tech)$1,270.57$209.08922
( / Rehab)$1,253.69$279.61200
Sterile Processing Technician (Allied / SPT)$1,240.58$259.613,651
Medical Surgical (CNA / Med Surg)$1,209.39$342.4324
Long Term Care (CNA / LTC)$1,092.87$232.5092
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA / CNA)$1,092.43$328.31112
Phlebotomy (Allied / Phlebotomist)$1,066.85$307.69458
Patient Care Technician (Allied / PCT)$1,019.43$199.19448
Certified Medical Assistant (Allied / CMA)$1,008.94$366.72728
Table: Travel Nurse 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.

Last 12 months 
Chart: Travel Nurse Specialties Bubble Chart

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:

  • Find your top paying agencies & locations using our interactive pay explorer
  • Find your highest-paying travel nursing jobs upfront & compare pay packages easily to get an objective overview on your best, most updated job options
  • Vet agencies with high paying jobs you like without worrying about spam on StellarNurse.com
  • Get a compact state license & maintain state licenses for your highest-paying locations
  • Compare job offers using your "blended rate" quick calculations breaking pay down to weekly or hourly income
  • Prioritize best pay over agency or location - be flexible!
  • 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.

How To Find The Best Paying Travel Nurse Agencies

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.

Last 12 months 
Agency Average Weekly Pay Weekly Pay St. Deviation# Jobs Observed
Health Carousel$2,155.42$344.14993
Nightingale Nurses$2,145.35$390.409,709
AMN Healthcare Allied$1,926.07$441.809,674
Fastaff Travel Nursing$2,304.90$396.53964
Jackson Nurse Professionals$2,091.35$399.849,595
Millbrook$2,659.40$406.7595
MedUS Healthcare$2,238.69$347.05945
Pulse Healthcare Services$2,623.67$396.54942
Prime HealthCare Staffing$2,052.43$337.009,210
Trinity Health FirstChoice$2,491.23$372.91916
CT Assist$3,316.30$352.929
Springboard Healthcare$2,440.67$350.238,561
Avani Healthcare Staffing$2,048.02$355.99837
Trusted Resource Associates (TRA)$2,319.94$430.06830
GQR Healthcare$1,928.59$524.088,239
Jackson Therapy Partners$1,835.66$350.998,188
Fusion Medical Staffing$2,275.84$998.048,172
NuWest Group$2,022.11$399.648,151
Bestica$2,215.47$436.598,105
Consolidated Medical Travel$2,547.40$403.76809
MARS Solutions Group$2,526.25$450.4880
Raisso Inc.$2,351.97$311.94781
MedicalPeople Staffing, LLC$2,693.26$408.5578
MAS Medical Staffing$1,992.13$384.79777
Advantis Medical Staffing$2,063.65$367.177,592
CrossMed$1,996.52$358.847,588
MSSI$2,429.93$385.14758
Ardor Health Solutions$1,977.51$375.807,562
Northside Hospital Choice+Local$1,866.84$375.7075
Lead Health$2,090.07$399.70749
Reliable Nurse Staffing$2,239.47$370.847,487
Siemens Healthineers$2,777.43$308.16718
Sunbelt Staffing$2,492.74$391.03693
Supplemental Health Care$1,901.72$432.8469,214
RightPro Staffing$2,213.67$417.61679
Providence Health Care Staffing$2,190.94$577.95673
Peregrine Team$2,225.19$357.5767
Vibra Travels$2,078.17$315.916,655
AB Staffing Solutions$2,332.73$490.10652
Titan Medical Group$2,171.66$393.216,482
United Staffing Solutions$2,301.34$490.63644
Skyline Med Staff$1,877.17$430.466,253
Meda Health$2,250.06$396.236,232
Pluto Healthcare Staffing$2,176.33$315.18623
Reliant Staffing Solutions$2,313.01$327.61620
Zack Group$2,044.17$614.196,093
Triage Staffing$2,109.71$717.1060,793
SkyBridge Healthcare$1,830.53$352.855,965
PS Companies$2,471.79$260.90595
Formation, Inc.$3,068.64$453.7957
Prime Time Healthcare$2,411.28$353.975,686
Alto Healthcare Staffing$2,176.45$405.56565
Next Move, Inc.$2,094.03$336.755,630
LanceSoft$2,377.61$473.5855,152
Medmasa$3,016.55$699.7955
Medasource$2,242.95$318.55543
NURSES Etc. STAFFING$2,358.34$348.90539
TactStaff$2,397.27$370.64536
Becker Health$2,365.75$415.5850
Ethos Medical Staffing$2,176.95$389.404,962
Modern Healthcare Solutions$2,366.29$369.70496
TLC Nursing$2,154.87$368.524,851
MedPro Healthcare Staffing$2,149.55$375.3147,051
Tallavera$2,418.51$320.4147
Health Advocates Network$2,221.90$422.844,605
Genie Healthcare$2,133.21$430.8544,342
Custom Healthcare Solutions$2,186.72$382.9544
ARM Staffing$2,217.85$379.724,384
Nurses 24/7$2,584.20$329.09432
FlexCare Medical Staffing$2,324.50$325.774,084
Sharp Medical Staffinglife$1,983.54$383.834,045
Nomad Health$2,191.88$320.394,015
Host Healthcare$2,414.93$1,249.3039,474
Critical Connection, inc$2,024.66$245.013,880
MedWave Healthcare Staffing$2,092.51$575.673,645
The Judge Group$2,505.32$411.343,645
American Medical Staffing$1,761.98$417.673,603
Marvel Medical Staffing$1,876.84$366.613,526
Insight Global$2,332.10$568.63352
Stability Healthcare$2,216.78$385.4635,161
Blu Medstaff$1,830.53$359.06350
Source Medical Staffing$2,156.41$482.353,443
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions$2,051.09$330.8834,047
Revolution Healthcare Services$2,169.24$423.743,289
Cross Country Healthcare$2,103.31$468.3332,346
The Good Life MedStaff$2,210.16$407.163,172
Nurses First Solutions$2,010.57$459.513,169
Favorite Healthcare Staffing$2,529.65$512.42316
Go Healthcare$2,051.63$354.7430,634
Cure Healthcare Staffing$2,394.83$357.213,042
Infojini Healthcare$2,427.00$502.30304
Catapult Healthcare$2,454.43$547.20300
VitalHire$2,265.84$467.83299
Lahey Health$2,472.77$455.6329
ICONMA$2,447.92$362.47284
Arrow Healthcare Staffing and Recruiting$2,055.33$424.632,833
CoreMedical Group$1,914.70$404.2127,934
Excel Medical Staffing$2,336.59$431.072,793
HumanEdge$2,156.89$435.142,756
GrapeTree Medical Staffing$1,625.66$372.922,741
trustaff$2,152.76$380.9427,305
White Glove Placement$2,511.33$293.12268
Excite Health Partners$2,563.42$441.11265
Marshall Healthcare Staffing$2,328.32$475.98260
Connected Health Care$2,147.75$402.672,514
Planet Healthcare$2,145.02$437.4625,097
Junxion Med Staffing$2,114.92$404.912,506
Access Healthcare Staffing$2,209.34$426.4424,701
Centra Healthcare$1,780.89$368.912,424
Medical Solutions$2,130.98$452.4224,219
Innovent Global$2,445.85$637.98239
Froedtert Health$2,343.69$313.06237
AHS Staffing$2,095.52$389.9623,539
TotalMed$2,093.02$358.8423,516
Travel Nurses Inc.$2,109.74$377.7823,394
Solomon Page$2,286.16$422.2323,327
TinkBird Healthcare Staffing$2,322.91$429.94231
Fiber Staffing$2,167.35$218.66229
GHR Travel Nursing$2,206.70$333.6422,443
LeaderStat$2,249.63$363.8722,212
Healthcare Staffing - IDR, Inc$2,154.93$420.8022,022
Beyond Medical Staffing$1,925.62$381.73217
Soliant Health$2,525.54$529.55217
SambaCare$2,126.55$499.152,162
3D Medical Staffing$2,167.10$369.33205
Voyage Healthcare$2,241.23$295.792,027
GetMed Staffing, Inc.$1,794.04$407.2520,000
TRS Healthcare$2,153.11$414.6019,877
PRIDE Health$2,230.35$462.9819,738
TheraEX Staffing Services$2,220.25$671.021,930
American Mobile Healthcare (AMN)$2,161.40$438.481,928
Phaxis$2,163.35$349.13186
ALOIS Healthcare$2,160.71$376.7718,460
Gifted Healthcare$2,185.47$324.411,835
Travel Nurse Across America$2,104.21$336.3418,308
Health Carousel - Allied Travel$2,116.93$431.401,819
ADN Healthcare$2,262.40$373.5517,883
CareNational$2,411.20$338.56177
Healthcare Support$2,099.67$392.6817,685
Assured Nursing$2,080.44$456.6417,623
Magnet Medical$2,199.68$404.9717,544
Premier Medical Staffing$2,143.90$338.5616,978
Nurse First Travel Agency$2,204.67$354.0416,948
GLC On-The-Go$1,935.29$445.6816,772
Aptiva Healthcare$2,721.30$718.23167
Galaxy Healthcare$2,259.32$360.901,632
KPG Healthcare$2,223.20$788.8016,066
Grady Works$1,854.69$220.2716
DT-Trak Consulting$2,813.12$601.91157
Thrive Staffing$2,130.96$387.791,559
Amare Medical Network$2,143.96$388.311,553
Seven Healthcare$2,356.25$469.021,546
Wellspring Nurse Source$2,269.45$401.0015,241
Lucid Staffing Solutions$2,256.78$667.131,523
OneStaff Medical$1,903.16$466.2115,153
Uniti Med$2,051.02$549.2215,021
Rock Medical Group$1,869.07$333.4815
Aequor Healthcare$2,124.43$372.3114,791
Aureus Medical Group$2,117.00$432.8814,770
Remede Consulting Group, Inc.$2,392.69$371.181,475
The Stepping Stones Group$1,926.56$293.71145
RCM Healthcare Services$1,922.42$382.43144
Vastek Inc.$2,258.78$349.171,437
Nationwide Therapy Group$1,843.14$518.2514,355
Refined Medical Staffing$2,213.83$388.451,427
RKA Recruiting$2,364.33$374.431,421
Spire Workforce Solutions$2,273.84$391.631,420
QS Nurses$2,067.03$361.65141
Synergy Medical Staffing$1,936.35$506.0113,886
Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health)$2,217.76$376.5313,675
Summit Medical Staffing$2,124.19$611.8213,643
Concentric Healthcare Staffing$2,062.25$399.621,353
Coast Medical Service$2,217.84$353.9013,364
Destination Travelcare$2,231.14$350.811,334
Novo Connections$1,858.43$395.6113
PRN Healthcare$2,233.01$379.6012,747
B2B Staffing Services$2,231.41$590.061,270
Halcyon Nurse Staffing$2,249.84$565.37126
American Traveler$2,249.05$357.1612,511
ADEX Healthcare Staffing - US Travel Nursing$2,208.34$369.3012,342
LRS Healthcare$2,109.24$330.1012,000
FlexUp Direct$2,124.07$464.471,171
SojouRN$2,266.52$476.74117
Premier Healthcare Professionals$2,250.70$497.9811,531
Voca Healthcare$2,228.13$426.4311,232
Anders Group$2,163.71$461.5811,171
iDeal Personnel$2,367.06$436.991,109
Alliance Medical Staffing$2,074.74$612.60108
eTeam Inc$2,224.07$554.231,059
Malone Healthcare Solutions$2,311.96$340.6510,327
CareTeam Solutions$2,125.99$336.6810,272
Focus Staff$2,146.12$434.0210,186
Lifeline Medical Staffing$2,027.33$398.661,016
Specialty Professional Services$1,949.84$428.861,010
Scout Nurse Staffing$2,448.00$910.7410
Table: Top Travel Nursing Agencies with Pay Transparency

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:

  • High pay you deserve
  • Jobs available you want
  • Benefits you need
  • Responsive & transparent recruiters

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 helpful 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 AND block spam here at StellarNurse.

Use your private email, free with your StellarNurse profile. Turn off your private email anytime to block spam.

Our Data Sources

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

Thanks for Reading 🤗

Smiling nurse in navy scrubs stands confidently in front of plain background with StellarNurse logo, promoting travel nurse support.

Thanks for reading my Ultimate Travel Nurse Salary Guide - the article that started it all!

I began aggregating travel nurse salaries back in 2019 to help my own travel nursing job search.

Now I've compiled all these juicy travel nurse pay insights to help you

  • Make pay comparisons easily
  • Find the best deals fast & to
  • Make objective decisions based on real data.

From 2019 to now, I'm on a mission to make travel nursing money more transparent for us nurses. And to bring you objective pay insights nobody else wants to show you!

Stick around! Next you should check out:

Reach out to me ➡️ Veronica - I'm a travel nurse too and I love to chat about all things travel nursing. 💕