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.

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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?

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

Travel NursesStaff Nurses
Hourly Rates$58.50$41.50
Weekly Pay$2,100$1,490
Annual Salary$100,000$86,070

The average hourly pay for full-time staff RN's in the U.S. is $41.38, or $1,490 per week, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics registered nurse occupational outlook.

The average hourly rate for travel nurses is $58.50, or $2,100 per week, according to the StellarNurse Ultimate Travel Nurse Salary Explorer.

The average hourly wage for a travel RN is $17 higher than staff nurse pay, and the average salary per week is $610 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 potential reaching upwards to $15,000 more than staff nurses.

We calculated the average annual salary for travel nurses for only 48 weeks a year. Travel nurses usually need time off to organize and move between new assignments.

Why Do Travel Nurses Make So Much?

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.

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Is Travel Nursing Worth It?

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.

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.

Get A Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

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.

Pay Package OfferPay per Week (36 hrs)Hourly rates
$400 M&IE Weekly$400$11.11
$3,200 Housing Stipend Monthly$800$22.22
$750 Travel Reimbursement One-time$57.69$1.60
$30 Base Rate Hourly$1,080$30
Total Gross Pay (Pre-Taxes)$2,337.69$64.94

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.

Weekly Income per OfferTaxable?
$400 M&IE (Meals & Incidental Expenses)N
$800 Housing StipendN
$57.69 Travel ReimbursementN
$1,080 Hourly Base RateY
$2,337.69 Total$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$2,423.24$555.5210,972
California$2,378.45$500.19127,783
Vermont$2,343.37$608.1920,316
Wisconsin$2,336.60$710.6559,297
New York$2,328.04$433.2797,859
Massachusetts$2,318.40$489.1574,735
North Dakota$2,292.06$516.2420,008
New Jersey$2,231.67$419.6336,590
Connecticut$2,226.96$451.5516,162
Illinois$2,220.07$456.6160,205
South Dakota$2,219.68$507.1917,525
Rhode Island$2,204.56$454.445,660
Oregon$2,198.56$443.1036,408
New Hampshire$2,189.50$471.9329,151
Washington$2,183.92$430.6863,288
Nebraska$2,174.52$396.6823,025
Idaho$2,173.53$349.9612,316
Maine$2,163.99$409.7127,018
Minnesota$2,157.94$573.7322,028
West Virginia$2,156.37$424.4119,369
Nevada$2,155.55$440.217,210
Montana$2,152.75$425.4519,876
Utah$2,145.90$425.364,659
Hawaii$2,138.43$455.1413,814
Arizona$2,138.03$394.0247,881
Wyoming$2,130.17$415.247,307
Iowa$2,126.86$386.2443,377
Ohio$2,119.79$407.8761,880
Colorado$2,115.13$414.6838,841
Kentucky$2,093.00$353.7224,675
Oklahoma$2,087.62$345.7327,371
District Of Columbia$2,078.80$384.444,604
Indiana$2,071.44$394.4642,801
Virginia$2,065.97$370.8759,339
Michigan$2,050.39$431.3142,422
Missouri$2,049.61$356.1437,331
Delaware$2,047.17$438.864,189
Pennsylvania$2,045.25$499.8653,280
Kansas$2,042.20$396.0222,546
Maryland$2,005.51$399.2032,184
Louisiana$1,951.55$369.4413,467
New Mexico$1,940.64$428.9830,640
Arkansas$1,940.10$428.208,046
Tennessee$1,923.87$306.7031,420
Georgia$1,917.16$361.0666,686
South Carolina$1,914.97$338.6729,729
North Carolina$1,910.45$352.7376,265
Florida$1,892.78$341.9843,955
Texas$1,885.36$360.0980,753
Mississippi$1,868.55$494.107,502
Alabama$1,804.37$325.9316,761
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)$6,782.78$1,556.6717
Cardiovascular / Cardiothoracic Surgery (PA / CV / CT Surg)$5,601.94$449.666
Physicist (Non-Healthcare / Phys)$5,560.59$1,145.92304
Perfusionist (Allied / Perf)$5,209.82$865.45360
Emergency Medicine (PA / ED)$3,981.60$261.893
Psychologist (Allied / CP)$3,484.18$875.2060
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP / FNP)$3,252.32$906.8849
Assistant Nurse Manager (RN / Asst RN Mgr)$3,077.51$603.6620
Dosimetrist (Allied / Dosimetrist)$3,040.00$609.19165
Lactation (RN / Lactation)$2,844.83$432.0322
Visual Impairments Teacher (School Services / School)$2,835.46$1,865.9521
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RN / RNFA)$2,757.93$778.522,881
Pediatric Oncology (RN / Peds Onc)$2,665.30$1,458.9194
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RN / CRNA)$2,662.09$2,479.90158
Doctor of Pharmacy (Allied / PharmD)$2,655.93$486.034,479
Public Health (RN / Pub Hlth)$2,619.86$289.5910
Pathology Assistant (Allied / Path Asst)$2,616.81$548.86811
Interventional Radiology Technologist (Allied / IR Tech)$2,606.03$449.9021,689
Critical Care Flight / Transport Nurse (RN / Flight)$2,593.16$706.6049
Special Procedures Technologist (Allied / Special Procedures Tech)$2,588.22$394.851,475
Audiologist (Allied / Aud)$2,585.94$580.01131
Nurse Manager (RN / RN Mgr)$2,550.96$711.243,145
Director of Nursing (RN / DON)$2,550.79$695.141,122
Infection Control (RN / Infection)$2,548.69$543.14568
Nurse Navigator (RN / RN Navigator)$2,532.83$365.4341
Administrative (RN / Admin)$2,526.64$533.41236
Cardiovascular Cath Lab Technologist (Allied / Cardiac Cath Lab Tech)$2,523.61$418.1435,418
Multi-Modality Technologist (Allied / Multi-Modality Technologist)$2,516.42$307.91673
Electrophysiology Lab Technician (Allied / EP Lab Tech)$2,487.24$390.334,255
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Allied / CNMT)$2,484.15$465.0913,028
Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / CVOR)$2,475.78$440.8215,964
Electrophysiology Lab (RN / EP Lab)$2,475.09$447.862,871
Pediatric Operating Room (RN / Peds OR)$2,473.27$599.91734
House Supervisor (Supervisor / House Sup)$2,466.45$483.651,634
Cardiac Cath Lab (RN / Cath Lab)$2,454.95$379.7330,631
Pediatric Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / Peds CVOR)$2,451.41$430.02103
Special Procedures (RN / Special Procedures)$2,450.38$405.22175
Interventional Radiology (RN / IR)$2,445.88$392.278,709
Computed Tomography Technologist (Allied / CT Tech)$2,445.28$433.83110,204
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist (RN / CDI)$2,427.73$292.1551
Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / Peds CVICU)$2,426.72$320.65808
MRI Technologist (Allied / MRI Technologist)$2,411.41$423.1835,734
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (RN / PICU)$2,393.01$449.538,862
Vascular Access Nurse (RN / PICC RN)$2,390.51$502.15132
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (School Services / BCBA)$2,390.01$872.1343
Diagnostic Radiologist (Allied / Radiologist)$2,385.98$364.45382
Echocardiograph Technologist (Allied / Echo Technologist)$2,382.23$367.666,726
Radiotherapist (Allied / Radiotherapy)$2,380.06$464.197,461
Echo-Vascular Technician (Allied / Echo/Vasc Tech)$2,378.73$714.401,660
Radiology (RN / Radiology)$2,378.15$357.512,125
MRI Technician (Allied / MRI Tech)$2,375.93$382.0010,886
School Psychologist, Certified (School Services / NCSP)$2,363.09$845.51123
Pediatric Hematology - Oncology (RN / Peds Heme/Onc)$2,360.87$317.75227
Labor & Delivery (RN / L&D)$2,356.59$429.4665,715
Mammography Tech (Allied / Mammo Tech)$2,344.98$390.199,824
Surgical Oncology (RN / Surg Onc)$2,340.51$330.35119
Clinical Nurse Coordinator (RN / CNC)$2,320.45$462.88144
Echocardiograph Technician (Allied / Echo Tech)$2,311.01$341.256,398
Cytotechnologist (Allied / Cyto)$2,309.72$405.311,008
Admissions (RN / ADM)$2,294.15$242.8227
Vascular Technologist (Allied / RVT)$2,292.33$398.903,640
Ultrasound Technologist (Allied / US Technologist)$2,277.32$387.7729,313
Hematology (RN / Heme)$2,276.93$292.77138
Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / Peds PACU)$2,271.32$365.37227
Wound Care (RN / Wound)$2,269.63$437.852,450
Pediatric Progressive Care Unit (RN / Peds PCU)$2,265.67$233.10470
Patient Care Coordinator (RN / PCC)$2,264.99$703.8195
Orthopedic Neurology (RN / Ortho / Neuro)$2,262.22$277.28159
OB/GYN (RN / OB/GYN)$2,260.48$409.924,021
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / CVICU)$2,250.77$401.3416,859
Coronary Care Unit (RN / CCU)$2,248.90$302.734,696
Bone Marrow Transplant (RN / BMT)$2,245.23$294.65806
Hematology / Oncology (RN / Heme / Onc)$2,243.38$324.54779
Nurse Educator (RN / Education)$2,241.16$883.41568
Case Management (RN / CM)$2,236.13$407.6911,684
Ultrasound-Sonography Technician (Allied / US/Sono Tech)$2,231.74$343.047,474
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RN / NICU)$2,231.49$403.4515,480
Operating Room (RN / OR)$2,230.23$425.4658,738
Pediatric Emergency Department (RN / Peds ED)$2,229.32$356.222,200
Transplant (RN / Transplant)$2,218.61$430.82506
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (RN / CTICU)$2,218.29$310.55548
Utilization Review (RN / UR)$2,216.04$352.98409
Infusion Therapy (RN / Infusion)$2,209.51$375.792,186
Pediatrics (RN / Peds)$2,200.39$402.347,127
Neurology Intensive Care Unit (RN / Neuro ICU)$2,198.91$310.643,843
Float Pool (RN / Float)$2,190.97$355.591,813
Obstetric Ultrasound - Sonographer (Allied / OB/GYN US)$2,182.80$385.59168
Cardiology (RN / Cardio)$2,180.12$363.611,627
Burn Intensive Care Unit (RN / BICU)$2,177.37$430.03660
Nephrology (RN / Neph)$2,171.06$799.06165
Step Down Unit (RN / SDU)$2,168.71$287.0615,952
Urgent Care (RN / Urgent Care)$2,163.38$442.14286
Pain Management (RN / Pain Mgt)$2,161.89$294.2632
Direct Observation Unit (RN / DOU)$2,160.28$296.861,468
Oncology (RN / Onc)$2,156.74$373.8918,365
Postpartum (RN / PP)$2,152.23$457.834,929
Neurology (RN / Neuro)$2,145.35$387.664,716
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (RN / SICU)$2,143.03$328.151,670
Intensive Care Unit (RN / ICU)$2,141.98$359.7382,849
Emergency Department (RN / ED)$2,141.92$344.5699,490
Postoperative (RN / Post-op)$2,139.73$264.4066
Radiology Technologist (Allied / X-Ray Technologist)$2,138.90$427.7947,432
Medical Surgical Telemetry (RN / Med Surg Tele)$2,132.68$282.6956,851
Cardiac Stepdown Unit (RN / CSDU)$2,130.61$273.301,603
Same Day Surgery (RN / SDS)$2,128.10$312.647
Endoscopy (RN / Endo)$2,121.14$355.777,106
X-Ray Technician (Allied / X-Ray Tech)$2,117.74$260.331,943
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / PACU)$2,117.15$368.2919,305
Gastrointestinal Lab (RN / GI Lab)$2,114.89$304.641,551
Trauma Intensive Care Unit (RN / TICU)$2,112.39$348.411,286
Home Health (RN / HH)$2,111.45$399.4118,172
Acute Care (RN / Acute)$2,109.99$342.633,821
Progressive Care Unit (RN / PCU)$2,099.06$307.7361,023
Psychiatry - Mental Health (NP / Psych)$2,086.23$618.284
Certified Surgical First Assistant (Allied / CSFA)$2,084.17$423.272,405
Telemetry (RN / Tele)$2,081.31$347.8263,942
Ambulatory Care (RN / Amb)$2,079.17$383.461,657
Occupational Health (RN / Occ Health)$2,078.65$238.60219
Dialysis (RN / Dialysis)$2,073.04$305.398,673
Hospice (RN / Hospice)$2,066.09$351.396,001
Radiology Technician (Allied / Rad Tech)$2,064.70$390.5827,600
Outpatient Clinic (RN / Outpatient)$2,058.76$407.724,590
Research / Clinical Research (RN / Research)$2,054.78$379.53172
Medical Surgical (RN / Med Surg)$2,047.94$343.82133,105
Nurse Resident (RN / RN Resident)$2,047.93$8.603
Orthopedic (RN / Ortho)$2,046.39$300.824,370
CVOR Technologist (Allied / CVOR Tech)$2,040.75$360.8312,128
Therapeutic Apheresis (RN / Apheresis)$2,039.76$312.2075
Neurology Progressive Care Unit (RN / Neuro PCU)$2,033.52$293.311,460
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Allied / LCSW)$2,029.89$438.104,618
Psychiatric - Mental Health (RN / Psych)$2,028.79$347.2516,161
Long Term Acute Care (RN / LTAC)$2,024.47$364.0211,026
Charge Nurse (RN / Charge)$2,020.50$382.64195
Perioperative (RN / Peri-op)$2,019.04$352.382,099
Urology (RN / Urology)$2,004.42$271.96175
Physical Therapy (Therapy / PT)$2,001.54$347.75115,315
Stroke / Neuro (RN / Stroke / Neuro)$1,990.37$256.4778
Respiratory Therapist (Allied / RT)$1,981.88$387.2946,587
Speech Language Pathologist (Allied / SLP)$1,981.60$333.5528,676
Corrections (RN / Corr)$1,961.35$340.423,519
Special Education Teacher (School Services / Special Ed)$1,957.79$1,160.33714
Assistant Director of Nursing (RN / Asst. DON)$1,954.78$647.99217
School Nurse (RN / School Nurse)$1,951.23$385.95223
Obstetric Technician (Allied / OB Tech)$1,936.92$393.66746
Occupational Therapy (Therapy / OT)$1,920.08$339.3839,421
Long Term Care (RN / LTC)$1,895.87$344.8218,767
Electroencephalogram Technologist (Allied / EEG Technologist)$1,886.26$296.751,186
Electroencephalogram Technician (Allied / EEG Tech)$1,882.26$287.35858
Polysomnographer (Allied / Sleep Tech)$1,864.87$279.571,400
Recreational Therapist (Therapy / RT)$1,863.11$429.5057
Registered Dietician (Allied / RDCD)$1,844.49$283.85620
Skilled Nursing Facility (RN / SNF)$1,843.74$537.398,396
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (Allied / SLPA)$1,821.83$358.04214
Rehabilitation (RN / Rehab)$1,805.48$423.2613,032
Vaccinations (RN / Vax)$1,803.00$447.913
Rehabilitation Therapy (Allied / Rehab Therapy)$1,779.46$374.56824
Medical Tech / Medical Laboratory Scientist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Allied / MT / MLS / CLS)$1,778.38$480.0910,588
Operating Room / Surgical Technician (Allied / OR / Surg Tech)$1,761.27$400.6350,237
Long Term Acute Care (LPN / LVN / LTAC)$1,714.21$278.2214
Antepartum (Allied / Ante)$1,711.74$358.1247
Histotechnician (Allied / HT)$1,659.08$364.52815
Emergency Department (LPN / LVN / ED)$1,634.75$373.53122
Paramedic (Allied / Paramedic)$1,601.43$301.80266
Endoscopy Technician (Allied / Endo Tech)$1,559.67$349.87880
Telehealth (RN / Telehealth)$1,559.09$409.50122
School Nurse (LPN / LVN / School Nurse)$1,539.02$302.0934
Psychiatric - Mental Health (LPN / LVN / Psych)$1,531.19$261.42334
Home Health (LPN / LVN / HH)$1,528.49$196.522,551
Hospice (LPN / LVN / Hospice)$1,528.42$242.33134
Anesthesia Technician (Allied / Anesthesia Tech)$1,520.91$323.35438
Telemetry (LPN / LVN / Tele)$1,478.03$347.47144
Outpatient Clinic (Allied / Outpatient)$1,475.86$211.67101
Electrocardiograph Technician (Allied / EKG Tech)$1,444.83$482.73143
Corrections (LPN / LVN / Corr)$1,442.44$275.872,777
Long Term Care (LPN / LVN / LTC)$1,431.56$231.1820,928
Emergency Department Technician (Allied / ED Tech)$1,401.31$386.37147
Outpatient Clinic (LPN / LVN / Outpatient)$1,391.96$502.052,973
Physical Therapy Assistant (Therapy / PTA)$1,365.51$250.9026,490
Telemetry Monitor Technician (Allied / Tele / Monitor Tech)$1,350.25$351.98534
Medical Surgical (LPN / LVN / Med Surg)$1,337.67$246.892,294
Occupational Therapy Assistant (Therapy / OTA)$1,319.49$250.062,765
Pharmacy Technician (Allied / Pharm Tech)$1,318.07$380.69544
Psychiatric - Mental Health Technician (Allied / Psych Tech)$1,292.78$356.2082
Dialysis Technician (Allied / Dialysis Tech)$1,283.95$193.09878
LPN / LVN (LPN / LVN / LPN / LVN)$1,264.58$265.2514,212
Sterile Processing Technician (Allied / SPT)$1,252.15$255.034,231
( / Rehab)$1,243.06$257.58291
Antepartum (RN / Antepartum)$1,240.05$538.191,066
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA / CNA)$1,202.34$369.59121
Clerical (Non-Healthcare / Clerical)$1,201.54$554.9116
Long Term Care (CNA / LTC)$1,133.60$216.56129
Phlebotomy (Allied / Phlebotomist)$1,124.28$451.75475
Medical Surgical (CNA / Med Surg)$1,105.73$222.3634
Patient Care Technician (Allied / PCT)$1,033.33$261.79506
Certified Medical Assistant (Allied / CMA)$1,030.04$379.67980
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:

  • 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.

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
Jackson Nurse Professionals$2,069.31$385.819,969
Lucid Staffing Solutions$2,318.14$615.36995
Concentric Healthcare Staffing$1,963.87$369.13994
Premier Medical Staffing$2,111.09$373.479,831
Reliable Nurse Staffing$2,227.56$380.969,503
Millbrook$2,672.26$340.5895
Health Carousel$2,162.89$360.05948
Sharp Medical Staffinglife$2,056.35$388.589,478
Lifeline Medical Staffing$2,027.00$404.66932
Vibra Travels$2,112.67$298.029,271
Fusion Medical Staffing$2,132.23$707.869,252
AMN Healthcare Allied$1,969.73$453.559,240
Titan Medical Group$2,185.63$391.719,134
Ardor Health Solutions$2,022.61$388.819,075
Bestica$2,223.73$432.608,893
Jackson Therapy Partners$1,835.32$348.458,793
VitalHire$2,249.60$447.76862
Siemens Healthineers$2,782.02$288.01860
Med Ninjas$2,306.49$505.9286
Health Advocates Network$2,249.31$406.398,468
Sunbelt Staffing$2,489.80$366.94841
Zack Group$2,057.60$579.348,291
Trinity Health FirstChoice$2,484.48$376.31821
Trusted Resource Associates (TRA)$2,266.73$437.97821
Alliance Medical Staffing$2,116.78$635.8681
MSSI$2,414.79$396.01802
Marvel Medical Staffing$1,929.51$372.128,015
MARS Solutions Group$2,526.25$450.4880
Next Move, Inc.$2,105.44$335.857,943
Skyline Med Staff$1,901.35$409.547,894
Supplemental Health Care$1,864.70$457.6078,695
NuWest Group$2,094.38$431.147,629
AB Staffing Solutions$2,255.43$503.55761
Lahey Health$2,504.01$402.0576
GQR Healthcare$1,895.43$533.927,508
Reliant Staffing Solutions$2,269.95$272.40743
Malone Healthcare Solutions$2,308.45$350.467,315
Raisso Inc.$2,364.50$294.02715
Meda Health$2,244.28$389.867,106
Phaxis$2,220.95$268.97686
Formation, Inc.$2,923.79$485.5468
Triage Staffing$2,115.55$732.9267,907
Custom Healthcare Solutions$2,148.57$365.7067
Nurse Hustle$2,200.37$327.0064
Medasource$2,249.74$325.65635
Specialty Professional Services$2,001.21$392.77613
Mindlance Health$2,251.41$373.1961
Pulse Healthcare Services$2,497.79$644.10607
PS Companies$2,511.31$287.08604
LanceSoft$2,356.78$458.0560,166
FlexCare Medical Staffing$2,248.08$367.645,963
United Staffing Solutions$2,290.87$483.53593
Arrow Healthcare Staffing and Recruiting$2,048.46$387.745,861
NURSES Etc. STAFFING$2,382.59$368.48580
Alto Healthcare Staffing$2,187.32$511.96578
Tallavera$2,427.36$293.3157
TinkBird Healthcare Staffing$2,311.84$418.10560
Prime Time Healthcare$2,442.74$352.265,550
TLC Nursing$2,174.93$438.545,407
Vighter$2,314.68$328.8954
Modern Healthcare Solutions$2,346.93$343.05539
Beyond Medical Staffing$1,908.72$388.04537
Fastaff Travel Nursing$2,349.18$425.75537
QS Nurses$2,031.66$363.59519
TactStaff$2,228.49$352.845,146
Open Door Personnel$2,031.48$184.365
Genie Healthcare$2,118.47$438.0849,037
Aureus Medical Group$2,134.52$411.7148,407
Host Healthcare$2,386.16$1,246.2647,659
Nurses 24/7$2,587.58$328.40470
Pluto Healthcare Staffing$2,175.64$296.30469
SkyBridge Healthcare$1,874.86$352.774,669
Revolution Healthcare Services$2,169.50$469.234,455
Insight Global$2,375.84$584.07426
Excel Medical Staffing$2,254.50$521.104,179
Firstat Medical Staffing$2,366.29$689.27415
MedPro Healthcare Staffing$2,146.89$377.7940,686
TotalMed$2,104.64$367.4840,617
CrossMed$1,906.79$317.004,035
Access Healthcare Staffing$2,195.63$414.2939,024
GrapeTree Medical Staffing$1,659.43$401.643,897
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions$2,037.27$329.2438,942
Source Medical Staffing$2,107.49$463.193,856
American Medical Staffing$1,787.72$420.093,783
Soliant Health$2,504.03$503.96376
Nurses First Solutions$2,061.20$477.333,743
Planet Healthcare$2,141.36$442.1036,941
Critical Connection, inc$2,033.98$239.483,663
Cure Healthcare Staffing$2,369.79$353.193,617
Froedtert Health$2,325.24$332.24351
ARM Staffing$2,202.88$388.693,475
Catapult Healthcare$2,480.27$529.87345
Stability Healthcare$2,195.62$379.4934,158
Go Healthcare$2,051.76$356.0833,637
Ethos Medical Staffing$2,143.75$390.723,327
CoreMedical Group$1,936.44$377.3032,405
Vastek Inc.$2,278.44$354.003,229
Cross Country Healthcare$2,074.63$477.9032,284
Blu Medstaff$1,846.66$363.56310
Grady Works$1,899.87$235.0331
IntellaPro Staffing$2,507.22$593.7231
Fiber Staffing$2,169.47$226.58308
Infojini Healthcare$2,422.74$476.81308
MedWave Healthcare Staffing$2,068.98$591.513,044
Rock Medical Group$2,287.42$462.55301
Atlas MedStaff$2,258.90$472.193
OneStaff Medical$1,837.75$483.6829,041
White Glove Placement$2,494.90$313.27290
SambaCare$2,158.59$492.222,847
The Judge Group$2,538.04$410.452,842
Medical Solutions$2,120.47$435.7128,415
RTG Medical$2,034.80$412.062,783
ADN Healthcare$2,254.41$372.8227,576
FlexUp Direct$2,061.98$497.882,738
Halcyon Nurse Staffing$2,199.83$448.83271
MedUS Healthcare$2,203.69$344.662,690
DT-Trak Consulting$2,759.58$505.55269
Centra Healthcare$1,777.19$363.392,689
Favorite Healthcare Staffing$2,574.61$531.79257
AHS Staffing$2,082.28$381.1325,269
LeaderStat$2,218.56$371.2625,013
Thrive Staffing$2,123.27$420.992,488
Lead Health$2,135.77$391.502,464
Bluebird Staffing$2,134.38$367.22246
Healthcare Staffing - IDR, Inc$2,091.92$440.8223,938
Gifted Healthcare$2,202.39$356.402,354
GHR Travel Nursing$2,193.85$309.6723,418
Summit Medical Staffing$2,149.25$795.9123,413
American Mobile Healthcare (AMN)$2,244.94$459.392,341
PRIDE Health$2,214.97$452.8223,257
Excite Health Partners$2,709.04$432.84232
Innovent Global$2,398.43$507.51231
Magnet Medical$2,185.51$400.5422,467
RCM Healthcare Services$2,202.79$439.56222
TRS Healthcare$2,124.14$425.7522,018
The Good Life MedStaff$2,210.14$430.012,198
Voyage Healthcare$2,239.30$298.762,179
Premier Healthcare Professionals$2,256.58$467.5320,837
Nurse First Travel Agency$2,192.96$344.1420,603
ALOIS Healthcare$2,136.22$379.8620,436
ADEX Healthcare Staffing - US Travel Nursing$2,172.77$399.9720,236
Travel Nurse Across America$2,112.32$336.8919,969
Peregrine Team$2,321.80$419.71195
GetMed Staffing, Inc.$1,799.74$420.8619,397
Travel Nurses Inc.$2,104.69$393.4719,368
Health Carousel - Allied Travel$2,103.85$448.541,916
Refined Medical Staffing$2,211.82$391.051,916
Solomon Page$2,241.21$425.4618,681
Galaxy Healthcare$2,244.60$334.401,810
Synergy Medical Staffing$1,972.14$492.7417,954
Destination Travelcare$2,206.61$338.691,789
KPG Healthcare$2,265.34$912.8917,766
CareNational$2,411.20$338.56177
Providence Health Care Staffing$2,269.92$577.641,768
Aequor Healthcare$2,118.42$349.2717,499
Remede Consulting Group, Inc.$2,397.62$331.381,748
3D Medical Staffing$2,219.69$394.591,735
Healthcare Support$2,114.00$393.7316,931
HumanEdge$2,177.28$426.281,630
Becker Health$2,310.50$336.70163
Advantis Medical Staffing$2,025.81$392.5915,987
Anders Group$2,174.34$437.1215,860
PRN Healthcare$2,202.75$366.8615,860
The Stepping Stones Group$1,929.11$297.19158
Amare Medical Network$2,143.96$388.311,553
Spire Workforce Solutions$2,316.69$346.661,538
Assured Nursing$2,043.87$447.9215,159
eTeam Inc$2,245.31$525.311,500
Accountable Healthcare Staffing$2,064.47$309.471,499
trustaff$2,145.23$378.0014,843
SojouRN$2,325.10$520.07148
Uniti Med$2,065.68$514.3614,711
American Traveler$2,226.96$356.9014,496
GLC On-The-Go$1,902.18$433.3614,186
Seven Healthcare$2,359.17$448.741,363
Coast Medical Service$2,193.54$359.1313,372
LRS Healthcare$2,118.99$344.5213,360
RightPro Staffing$2,175.09$407.061,318
Avani Healthcare Staffing$2,011.85$376.241,305
Nationwide Therapy Group$1,768.64$546.2212,772
Wellspring Nurse Source$2,232.52$390.9412,718
iDeal Personnel$2,260.59$438.161,254
RKA Recruiting$2,326.47$405.781,241
B2B Staffing Services$2,214.74$564.801,231
Aptiva Healthcare$2,696.99$799.58123
Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health)$2,132.68$353.1812,045
CT Assist$2,548.20$1,052.6512
Junxion Med Staffing$2,132.31$421.371,196
TheraEX Staffing Services$2,189.43$562.771,167
CareTeam Solutions$2,111.33$340.7111,656
MedicalPeople Staffing, LLC$2,593.10$434.36116
Prime HealthCare Staffing$2,010.09$353.1511,580
MAS Medical Staffing$1,950.52$407.721,120
Focus Staff$2,127.37$436.5111,035
Professional Nursing Service$2,757.07$393.3611
Consolidated Medical Travel$2,608.49$433.641,071
National Staffing$1,690.24$401.24107
Nightingale Nurses$2,160.88$378.0110,523
Marshall Healthcare Staffing$2,184.68$528.101,048
Voca Healthcare$2,159.75$449.8010,322
Medmasa$3,065.06$850.75103
Connected Health Care$2,279.63$459.231,021
Northside Hospital Choice+Local$1,884.84$398.53101
Springboard Healthcare$2,403.87$347.3810,065
Novo Connections$1,928.70$362.8410
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:

  • 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 🖐🎤

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