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$2,461.45$566.8417,115
California$2,319.67$504.60177,590
New York$2,312.28$447.39124,480
Wisconsin$2,293.30$560.9575,315
Massachusetts$2,290.19$470.3895,893
North Dakota$2,244.58$476.0928,303
Maine$2,220.31$442.5937,973
New Jersey$2,214.39$453.3158,364
Illinois$2,202.87$419.9785,186
Rhode Island$2,181.32$485.507,501
Vermont$2,172.69$518.0530,053
Connecticut$2,156.76$416.8125,689
Arizona$2,147.14$422.7760,821
West Virginia$2,144.93$434.3526,578
Hawaii$2,142.36$461.3021,671
Oregon$2,138.85$444.0460,430
New Hampshire$2,137.83$504.4640,782
Washington$2,136.27$435.1584,446
Nevada$2,136.20$466.3010,616
Ohio$2,131.76$405.2887,810
Wyoming$2,131.27$443.099,002
Colorado$2,124.95$416.0654,297
Nebraska$2,120.65$424.2133,226
Minnesota$2,120.15$521.8431,319
Utah$2,115.96$399.706,658
Montana$2,101.62$417.9527,461
South Dakota$2,094.82$494.8726,694
Idaho$2,090.74$364.2119,207
Iowa$2,081.89$399.9857,573
Kentucky$2,068.60$348.3438,205
Virginia$2,059.72$388.6079,330
District Of Columbia$2,056.79$348.987,434
Indiana$2,040.90$381.5360,822
Kansas$2,040.27$395.6628,774
Michigan$2,033.80$447.3460,199
Oklahoma$2,031.40$355.1339,135
Missouri$2,017.31$354.8255,865
Delaware$2,016.15$564.357,740
Maryland$1,998.24$432.6946,669
Pennsylvania$1,973.16$505.4082,764
New Mexico$1,949.43$411.0440,986
Louisiana$1,929.72$385.4822,509
Georgia$1,906.91$374.0187,055
North Carolina$1,896.73$367.5896,943
South Carolina$1,894.04$343.4338,950
Texas$1,893.89$370.09118,308
Tennessee$1,892.88$300.6454,832
Florida$1,886.72$359.5253,297
Arkansas$1,858.70$411.9115,852
Mississippi$1,811.99$412.4212,046
Alabama$1,772.91$338.6424,950
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)$6,544.28$1,258.2669
Physicist (Non-Healthcare / Phys)$5,352.24$1,086.45585
Perfusionist (Allied / Perf)$4,977.01$1,219.09282
Acute Care (NP / ACNP)$4,386.96$967.053
Nurse Practitioner (NP / NP)$4,005.52$1,438.8432
Neonatology (NP / Neonatology)$3,935.98$140.073
Psychiatry - Mental Health (NP / Psych)$3,554.55$289.1814
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP / FNP)$3,504.24$1,538.86149
Assistant Nurse Manager (RN / Asst RN Mgr)$3,057.42$638.9575
Dosimetrist (Allied / Dosimetrist)$2,991.26$674.87381
Pediatric Oncology (RN / Peds Onc)$2,984.25$1,780.9663
Critical Care Flight / Transport Nurse (RN / Flight)$2,835.06$630.71135
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RN / RNFA)$2,759.29$694.885,752
Visual Impairments Teacher (School Services / School)$2,716.66$714.8118
Psychologist (Allied / CP)$2,709.75$792.53189
Doctor of Pharmacy (Allied / PharmD)$2,653.20$515.065,300
Antepartum (Allied / Ante)$2,609.36$896.70399
Lactation (RN / Lactation)$2,598.52$396.4725
Audiologist (Allied / Aud)$2,593.52$448.60316
Pathology Assistant (Allied / Path Asst)$2,588.92$502.711,531
Pediatric Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / Peds CVOR)$2,583.57$458.49146
Public Health (RN / Pub Hlth)$2,549.35$413.5069
Director of Nursing (RN / DON)$2,528.83$730.112,033
Multi-Modality Technologist (Allied / Multi-Modality Technologist)$2,522.57$344.281,947
Nurse Manager (RN / RN Mgr)$2,515.70$718.104,448
Interventional Radiology Technologist (Allied / IR Tech)$2,514.98$433.6328,857
Special Procedures Technologist (Allied / Special Procedures Tech)$2,509.21$463.951,203
Pediatric Operating Room (RN / Peds OR)$2,495.18$526.99997
Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / CVOR)$2,476.38$446.4818,421
Special Procedures (RN / Special Procedures)$2,463.02$371.82462
House Supervisor (Supervisor / House Sup)$2,450.84$517.122,910
Cardiovascular Cath Lab Technologist (Allied / Cardiac Cath Lab Tech)$2,446.09$419.3650,394
Radiology (RN / Radiology)$2,438.41$429.883,901
Cardiac Cath Lab (RN / Cath Lab)$2,438.10$408.1336,067
Infection Control (RN / Infection)$2,437.60$552.271,037
Interventional Radiology (RN / IR)$2,423.49$418.2110,150
Electrophysiology Lab Technician (Allied / EP Lab Tech)$2,415.20$386.125,378
Electrophysiology Lab (RN / EP Lab)$2,415.11$386.193,975
School Psychologist, Certified (School Services / NCSP)$2,403.13$866.53167
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Allied / CNMT)$2,393.55$412.9116,951
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RN / CRNA)$2,387.70$2,248.95212
Nurse Navigator (RN / RN Navigator)$2,387.40$330.4853
Computed Tomography Technologist (Allied / CT Tech)$2,386.92$414.43159,813
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist (RN / CDI)$2,386.62$342.5495
Administrative (RN / Admin)$2,384.17$658.50493
Nurse Educator (RN / Education)$2,379.49$682.34733
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (RN / PICU)$2,379.07$462.4710,779
Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / Peds CVICU)$2,377.21$422.54997
Pediatric Hematology - Oncology (RN / Peds Heme/Onc)$2,372.36$381.60163
Echocardiograph Technologist (Allied / Echo Technologist)$2,353.79$368.7412,520
MRI Technician (Allied / MRI Tech)$2,353.74$504.0713,575
Same Day Surgery (RN / SDS)$2,344.02$232.0318
Surgical Oncology (RN / Surg Onc)$2,340.75$341.74236
Ultrasound-Sonography Technician (Allied / US/Sono Tech)$2,339.99$467.686,969
Clinical Nurse Coordinator (RN / CNC)$2,330.31$1,000.84732
MRI Technologist (Allied / MRI Technologist)$2,328.30$398.2351,927
Mammography Tech (Allied / Mammo Tech)$2,326.11$458.899,157
Echocardiograph Technician (Allied / Echo Tech)$2,324.30$374.8210,937
Hematology / Oncology (RN / Heme / Onc)$2,323.29$382.62992
Vascular Technologist (Allied / RVT)$2,322.40$428.905,665
Echo-Vascular Technician (Allied / Echo/Vasc Tech)$2,322.29$453.464,650
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (RN / CTICU)$2,315.94$369.80511
Radiotherapist (Allied / Radiotherapy)$2,315.91$436.476,152
Hematology (RN / Heme)$2,305.40$377.71102
Pediatric Progressive Care Unit (RN / Peds PCU)$2,304.18$292.25509
Vascular Access Nurse (RN / PICC RN)$2,301.98$281.81311
OB/GYN (RN / OB/GYN)$2,292.95$461.515,365
Emergency Medicine (PA / ED)$2,291.60$13.155
Cytotechnologist (Allied / Cyto)$2,291.27$410.101,724
Labor & Delivery (RN / L&D)$2,287.54$433.6867,793
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (School Services / BCBA)$2,279.79$650.0934
Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / Peds PACU)$2,276.30$352.93246
Ultrasound Technologist (Allied / US Technologist)$2,262.64$362.3552,143
Therapeutic Apheresis (RN / Apheresis)$2,260.59$438.28179
Bone Marrow Transplant (RN / BMT)$2,258.01$326.461,316
Operating Room (RN / OR)$2,255.87$414.5274,262
Pediatric Emergency Department (RN / Peds ED)$2,254.60$398.882,701
Pain Management (RN / Pain Mgt)$2,248.94$320.9078
Obstetric Ultrasound - Sonographer (Allied / OB/GYN US)$2,235.41$410.2776
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RN / NICU)$2,231.90$430.6815,768
Urgent Care (RN / Urgent Care)$2,231.42$563.79519
Research / Clinical Research (RN / Research)$2,229.05$487.9958
Cardiology (RN / Cardio)$2,228.48$380.342,496
Wound Care (RN / Wound)$2,221.87$430.173,128
Transplant (RN / Transplant)$2,218.01$455.02766
Postoperative (RN / Post-op)$2,217.27$299.0186
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / CVICU)$2,216.91$396.7521,140
Pediatrics (RN / Peds)$2,216.29$426.789,760
Diagnostic Radiologist (Allied / Radiologist)$2,215.38$489.021,322
Cardiac Stepdown Unit (RN / CSDU)$2,214.58$288.661,189
Infusion Therapy (RN / Infusion)$2,212.20$375.722,669
Coronary Care Unit (RN / CCU)$2,211.26$310.646,931
Patient Care Coordinator (RN / PCC)$2,210.69$738.8253
Case Management (RN / CM)$2,205.73$397.6215,394
Orthopedic Neurology (RN / Ortho / Neuro)$2,198.94$286.94286
Neurology Intensive Care Unit (RN / Neuro ICU)$2,191.30$311.504,380
Admissions (RN / ADM)$2,189.67$250.3868
Postpartum (RN / PP)$2,188.95$450.175,659
Sub-Acute (RN / Sub-Acute)$2,175.45$263.7357
Direct Observation Unit (RN / DOU)$2,171.39$308.371,726
Radiology Technologist (Allied / X-Ray Technologist)$2,165.99$411.6262,800
Gastrointestinal Lab (RN / GI Lab)$2,165.66$433.012,170
Nurse Resident (RN / RN Resident)$2,157.04$375.9611
Oncology (RN / Onc)$2,155.98$359.1727,090
Burn Intensive Care Unit (RN / BICU)$2,155.95$412.51880
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (RN / SICU)$2,153.30$320.932,141
Float Pool (RN / Float)$2,152.08$383.942,278
Urology (RN / Urology)$2,151.86$316.78242
Medical Surgical Telemetry (RN / Med Surg Tele)$2,138.59$290.2875,849
Perioperative (RN / Peri-op)$2,138.07$421.832,943
Step Down Unit (RN / SDU)$2,134.15$319.7822,969
Emergency Department (RN / ED)$2,134.12$357.31128,068
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / PACU)$2,134.08$372.0524,501
Utilization Review (RN / UR)$2,131.54$411.38929
Trauma Intensive Care Unit (RN / TICU)$2,130.80$340.661,361
Endoscopy (RN / Endo)$2,130.38$374.5610,401
X-Ray Technician (Allied / X-Ray Tech)$2,126.89$365.621,575
Intensive Care Unit (RN / ICU)$2,123.93$360.84105,544
Certified Surgical First Assistant (Allied / CSFA)$2,123.42$472.353,113
Nephrology (RN / Neph)$2,122.83$254.24381
Neurology (RN / Neuro)$2,118.35$313.966,805
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Allied / LCSW)$2,112.13$365.224,606
Acute Care (RN / Acute)$2,106.72$335.165,403
Home Health (RN / HH)$2,102.36$334.8128,470
Neurology Progressive Care Unit (RN / Neuro PCU)$2,099.74$286.331,362
Progressive Care Unit (RN / PCU)$2,094.44$318.2386,103
Ambulatory Care (RN / Amb)$2,084.10$440.742,907
Dialysis (RN / Dialysis)$2,073.12$344.6613,689
Outpatient Clinic (RN / Outpatient)$2,071.71$450.985,712
Telemetry (RN / Tele)$2,070.12$344.5997,174
Occupational Health (RN / Occ Health)$2,067.93$402.77321
CVOR Technologist (Allied / CVOR Tech)$2,061.18$357.0517,697
Orthopedic (RN / Ortho)$2,050.29$337.778,802
Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (RN / CPCU)$2,047.27$244.256,119
Corrections (RN / Corr)$2,046.50$403.853,510
Radiology Technician (Allied / Rad Tech)$2,043.30$355.6338,309
Medical Surgical (RN / Med Surg)$2,040.70$343.90206,249
Stroke / Neuro (RN / Stroke / Neuro)$2,033.15$253.44144
Psychiatric - Mental Health (RN / Psych)$2,024.18$370.3323,879
Long Term Acute Care (RN / LTAC)$2,023.98$374.8615,524
Hospice (RN / Hospice)$2,021.25$313.549,777
Rehabilitation Therapy (Allied / Rehab Therapy)$1,963.29$387.70448
Assistant Director of Nursing (RN / Asst. DON)$1,963.01$493.64263
Physical Therapy (Therapy / PT)$1,940.98$346.89194,357
School Nurse (RN / School Nurse)$1,939.02$585.85216
Respiratory Therapist (Allied / RT)$1,938.76$383.8150,206
Speech Language Pathologist (Allied / SLP)$1,937.91$302.4645,642
Registered Dietician (Allied / RDCD)$1,908.66$324.93395
Electroencephalogram Technician (Allied / EEG Tech)$1,894.77$322.03817
Occupational Therapy (Therapy / OT)$1,885.45$318.3756,154
Long Term Care (RN / LTC)$1,861.18$388.1029,064
Special Education Teacher (School Services / Special Ed)$1,850.79$373.25540
Obstetric Technician (Allied / OB Tech)$1,836.86$385.73681
Electroencephalogram Technologist (Allied / EEG Technologist)$1,831.17$285.061,164
Polysomnographer (Allied / Sleep Tech)$1,795.61$323.121,807
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (Allied / SLPA)$1,794.85$397.03118
Skilled Nursing Facility (RN / SNF)$1,791.68$489.7410,648
Rehabilitation (RN / Rehab)$1,791.15$461.8419,973
Operating Room / Surgical Technician (Allied / OR / Surg Tech)$1,788.40$350.2773,003
Medical Tech / Medical Laboratory Scientist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Allied / MT / MLS / CLS)$1,779.67$465.7314,555
Charge Nurse (RN / Charge)$1,756.28$490.50460
Histotechnician (Allied / HT)$1,735.42$406.452,192
Recreational Therapist (Therapy / RT)$1,703.86$531.3122
Psychiatric - Mental Health Technician (Allied / Psych Tech)$1,662.25$670.57227
Telehealth (RN / Telehealth)$1,643.56$442.19104
Home Health (Allied / HH)$1,643.14$306.625
Emergency Department (LPN / LVN / ED)$1,628.42$411.76216
Electrocardiograph Technician (Allied / EKG Tech)$1,624.53$596.9472
Long Term Acute Care (LPN / LVN / LTAC)$1,599.18$285.9870
Endoscopy Technician (Allied / Endo Tech)$1,596.13$355.861,070
Outpatient Clinic (Allied / Outpatient)$1,593.09$334.13124
Paramedic (Allied / Paramedic)$1,582.76$339.26168
Anesthesia Technician (Allied / Anesthesia Tech)$1,560.87$349.35494
Psychiatric - Mental Health (LPN / LVN / Psych)$1,543.79$270.09693
Home Health (LPN / LVN / HH)$1,522.60$214.703,783
Telemetry (LPN / LVN / Tele)$1,520.02$296.25291
Corrections (LPN / LVN / Corr)$1,496.28$302.722,732
Telemetry Monitor Technician (Allied / Tele / Monitor Tech)$1,459.17$358.69454
Outpatient Clinic (LPN / LVN / Outpatient)$1,428.91$424.153,735
Long Term Care (LPN / LVN / LTC)$1,424.35$247.0330,847
Hospice (LPN / LVN / Hospice)$1,390.11$273.85331
School Nurse (LPN / LVN / School Nurse)$1,389.92$302.1254
Medical Surgical (LPN / LVN / Med Surg)$1,371.27$269.333,981
( / Rehab)$1,370.61$241.45393
Physical Therapy Assistant (Therapy / PTA)$1,347.01$229.2139,397
Skilled Nursing Facility (LPN / LVN / SNF)$1,346.00$359.75185
Emergency Department Technician (Allied / ED Tech)$1,321.49$319.30151
Occupational Therapy Assistant (Therapy / OTA)$1,319.05$218.568,787
Dialysis Technician (Allied / Dialysis Tech)$1,314.10$182.69818
Pharmacy Technician (Allied / Pharm Tech)$1,312.95$318.86638
Sterile Processing Technician (Allied / SPT)$1,287.64$249.645,021
Home Health (CNA / HH)$1,284.72$410.1411
LPN / LVN (LPN / LVN / LPN / LVN)$1,261.08$283.1223,079
Phlebotomy (Allied / Phlebotomist)$1,225.23$493.59301
Antepartum (RN / Antepartum)$1,225.18$612.83958
Patient Care Technician (Allied / PCT)$1,152.88$479.95329
Long Term Care (CNA / LTC)$1,089.33$270.11451
Clerical (Non-Healthcare / Clerical)$1,086.90$463.7022
Certified Medical Assistant (Allied / CMA)$1,078.72$341.571,014
Medical Surgical (CNA / Med Surg)$1,018.95$279.48213
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA / CNA)$1,006.37$305.58446
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
VitalHire$2,212.21$487.68968
Plains Medical Staffing$2,111.40$480.57917
NuWest Group$2,221.39$412.049,070
Soliant Health$2,399.25$548.59901
Southeast HEALTH$2,620.37$203.129
Ink - A Healthcare Staffing Co.$2,357.00$397.44899
RightPro Staffing$2,180.16$367.11893
Lead Health$2,243.86$405.878,802
Lifeline Medical Staffing$2,082.75$435.01858
Siemens Healthineers$2,676.29$340.98858
RKA Recruiting$2,330.29$473.07857
Ethos Medical Staffing$2,082.79$389.898,401
Prime HealthCare Staffing$1,963.43$375.228,090
Arrow Healthcare Staffing and Recruiting$2,054.17$367.388,063
Club Staffing (AMN)$2,084.85$444.548
Headwaters Healthcare$2,835.02$555.228
Prime Time Healthcare$2,389.58$369.617,878
PS Companies$2,516.05$345.69786
Grady Works$1,946.29$255.5078
Pluto Healthcare Staffing$2,259.02$302.3877
MedWave Healthcare Staffing$2,224.55$344.85759
Lifeline Healthcare Professionals$2,405.13$470.39756
NURSES Etc. STAFFING$2,348.83$439.47741
Sunbelt Staffing$2,475.42$388.43737
Aequor Healthcare$1,987.92$394.2873,659
Nurses 24/7$2,536.84$330.88712
National Staffing$1,917.00$719.327,069
Reliable Nurse Staffing$2,226.29$362.107,056
Mynela Staffing$1,791.69$431.587
Convergence Medical Staffing$2,237.74$1,131.7069
Republic Health Resources$2,076.16$473.276,722
TLC Travel Staff$2,117.77$453.926,722
Next Move, Inc.$2,077.72$338.526,703
Froedtert Health$2,241.05$403.05668
Titan Medical Group$2,234.55$391.006,626
Care Partners Staffing$2,047.86$363.75649
Cynet Health$2,137.80$443.986,462
Providence Health Care Staffing$1,906.16$615.136,430
American Mobile Healthcare (AMN)$2,327.63$484.316,399
DT-Trak Consulting$2,619.24$347.48632
Host Healthcare$2,280.32$1,013.2662,713
FlexUp Direct$2,036.10$522.476,233
MedQ GLOBAL STAFFING$2,501.42$404.6562
PeopleFirst RN Staffing$2,304.95$262.2762
Novo Connections$2,509.42$1,190.656
Quality Clinicians$2,866.32$200.496
MARS Solutions Group$1,806.85$843.0459
Health Carousel - Allied Travel$1,952.55$380.825,819
TotalMed$2,073.13$383.9157,870
ICONMA$2,289.25$377.23576
GrapeTree Medical Staffing$1,709.36$415.695,674
Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health)$2,149.52$386.2554,597
Centra Healthcare$1,717.74$303.475,447
Innovate Healthcare Staffing$2,259.74$299.88544
Premier Healthcare Professionals$2,184.72$444.7354,248
Journey Healthcare Solutions$2,082.74$489.30542
Critical Connection, inc$1,984.96$254.335,400
Insight Global$2,410.53$559.16540
Accountable Healthcare Staffing$2,065.62$330.385,366
Source Medical Staffing$2,138.66$419.105,362
Catapult Healthcare$2,238.20$519.845,325
Nurse Hustle$2,181.56$389.71532
Medical Talent$2,108.98$471.60531
Planet Healthcare$2,149.38$433.6752,746
Premier Medical Staffing$2,046.03$377.275,266
Onyx Health Care Staffing$2,171.39$420.96526
Vital Workforce Solutions$2,135.07$439.42526
LanceSoft$2,291.65$411.0152,450
SambaCare$2,305.33$445.475,201
Mindlance Health$2,354.34$482.19520
CoreMedical Group$1,936.50$342.8651,911
OneStaff Medical$1,869.11$557.4451,600
Nightingale Nurses$2,228.83$339.975,142
Phaxis$2,073.14$323.585,137
TLC Nursing$2,041.66$560.565,127
Access Healthcare Staffing$2,178.34$451.3050,807
Nurses First Solutions$2,085.66$430.745,026
trustaff$2,049.81$357.145,008
Amare Medical Network$2,180.50$430.55500
Supplemental Health Care$1,837.78$475.5149,154
Formation, Inc.$2,264.16$576.31485
Genie Healthcare$2,117.91$441.5647,503
ATC Healthcare$2,579.70$742.5547
Lucid Staffing Solutions$2,396.77$988.13453
GQR Healthcare$2,110.80$604.714,422
Kiwi Healthcare$2,188.71$360.85440
Med Travelers (AMN Allied)$1,795.81$237.7444
Thrive Staffing$1,981.83$469.414,380
Excel Medical Staffing$2,156.08$509.304,349
Axis Medical Staffing$2,202.07$348.3642
MedPro Healthcare Staffing$2,106.23$389.4741,459
ARM Staffing$2,035.07$408.904,088
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions$2,014.38$351.6840,137
LeaderStat$2,168.45$395.7940,065
Aura Staffing Partners$2,331.00$378.004
Delta Healthcare Providers$1,950.50$237.993,931
Professional Nursing Service$2,545.39$388.02384
Cross Country Healthcare$2,070.44$475.4338,044
Treva Corporation$2,148.52$282.39380
Bestica$2,285.02$398.883,792
Remede Consulting Group, Inc.$2,195.91$344.343,773
Cambay Healthcare$2,267.96$548.64376
The Stepping Stones Group$1,855.51$327.12371
MedUS Healthcare$2,198.01$364.183,707
eTeam Inc$2,211.33$494.533,693
Infojini Healthcare$2,244.91$560.84369
Favorite Healthcare Staffing$2,092.56$309.273,675
Meda Health$2,241.74$364.853,588
White Glove Placement$2,565.41$1,272.0435
MedicalPeople Staffing, LLC$2,451.65$406.71348
American Medical Staffing$1,927.29$492.273,400
Excite Health Partners$2,671.18$460.68339
Cure Healthcare Staffing$2,317.78$321.943,376
CT Assist$2,522.92$806.1633
Health Specialists, Inc.$2,159.09$350.453,263
Vastek Inc.$2,296.69$377.333,221
Medical Solutions$2,099.27$427.0031,767
RNnetwork$1,993.47$622.0831,267
Destination Travelcare$2,110.02$353.063,088
Go Healthcare$2,031.47$473.0930,854
Medasource$2,365.92$316.76305
Firstat Medical Staffing$2,247.97$460.943,048
Becker Health$2,389.76$361.97304
Epic Special Education Staffing (formerly TherapyTravelers)$2,538.00$31.183
All Medical Personnel$1,604.10$433.623
Explore Tek$2,159.50$905.353
Healthcare Support$2,092.60$390.7029,680
Refined Medical Staffing$2,165.12$414.412,966
Uniti Med$1,915.70$509.5628,968
Marvel Medical Staffing$1,911.72$388.1028,500
Maxim Healthcare Services$2,375.27$598.97284
Revolution Healthcare Services$2,200.18$495.662,800
Connected Health Care$2,155.94$444.562,767
TRS Healthcare$2,072.01$426.1327,335
Voyage Healthcare$2,132.37$428.182,659
Open Door Personnel$2,157.92$416.96263
RCM Healthcare Services$2,156.13$324.642,623
United Staffing Solutions$2,325.40$427.92262
Galaxy Healthcare$2,219.77$313.862,592
Nurse First Travel Agency$2,179.69$334.9725,430
City Mobile Group$2,179.00$380.172,542
Innovent Global$2,235.90$479.23254
Guardian HealthStaff, LLC.$2,064.99$339.192,517
3D Medical Staffing$2,200.27$421.172,514
QS Nurses$1,893.28$496.582,511
Ventura MedStaff$1,950.95$456.7025,006
CareNational$2,113.41$236.3425
Advantis Medical Staffing$2,037.20$382.5324,958
Healthcare Staffing - IDR, Inc$1,945.29$464.8524,791
ADN Healthcare$2,224.18$390.3424,664
WorkSquare$1,947.49$366.10246
Blu Medstaff$1,883.61$362.09243
Custom Healthcare Solutions$2,004.26$357.40241
Lahey Health$2,595.41$482.18237
Summit Medical Staffing$2,167.76$716.7123,565
CareerStaff Unlimited$3,195.59$2,678.6323
Tallavera$2,365.48$455.5323
Anders Group$2,118.95$402.1122,747
American Traveler$2,136.47$343.9422,608
AB Staffing Solutions$2,109.45$522.152,252
TactStaff$2,186.15$353.6822,345
Coast Medical Service$2,156.06$409.1422,052
FocusPoint$2,713.71$437.88219
Medmasa$2,818.56$700.50219
Atlas MedStaff$2,098.72$372.352,182
GHR Travel Nursing$2,197.07$335.1621,758
The Judge Group$2,561.22$460.142,127
Allyon$2,187.63$447.48211
The Good Life MedStaff$2,160.75$468.792,087
Vighter$2,346.17$353.582,051
GLC On-The-Go$1,846.05$479.6620,412
Trusted Resource Associates (TRA)$2,248.68$410.452,024
Fastaff Travel Nursing$2,600.85$455.90201
Reliable Source Talent$2,712.57$424.0620
Alliance Medical Staffing$2,052.95$466.061,975
Corratel Healthcare$2,449.79$453.541,956
Trinity Health FirstChoice$2,353.92$412.431,952
KPG Healthcare$2,211.69$716.9419,474
Travel Nurse Across America$2,165.48$375.4819,437
FlexCare Medical Staffing$2,153.33$414.1519,225
HumanEdge$2,087.07$379.661,912
ALOIS Healthcare$2,100.56$426.9419,044
Synergy Medical Staffing$1,966.01$473.0718,879
Stability Healthcare$2,124.34$373.4018,417
CareTeam Solutions$2,000.76$450.0018,312
Marshall Healthcare Staffing$2,132.35$585.651,803
CrossMed$2,012.77$402.1118,010
AHS Staffing$2,065.44$356.7917,887
Bluebird Staffing$2,148.76$336.791,775
Vibra Travels$2,140.33$289.7117,600
Pulse Healthcare Services$2,202.60$547.391,753
Trusted Health$2,107.54$538.571,750
Magnet Medical$2,166.87$463.3617,429
Jackson Nurse Professionals$2,101.15$421.5317,251
Consolidated Medical Travel$2,606.72$434.871,720
Nationwide Therapy Group$1,775.62$516.6517,157
IntellaPro Staffing$2,298.70$526.351,709
TheraEX Staffing Services$2,223.90$587.661,704
Jackson Therapy Partners$1,895.22$403.2716,901
Focus Staff$2,127.33$511.8716,841
PRIDE Health$2,176.43$406.0216,791
Specialty Professional Services$2,088.23$491.231,677
Aya Healthcare$2,266.54$481.861,675
MAS Medical Staffing$2,027.28$472.101,673
AMN Healthcare Allied$1,984.40$478.9616,643
Peregrine Team$2,556.42$593.62166
Fiber Staffing$1,983.33$303.141,653
LRS Healthcare$2,185.54$398.0716,390
Triage Consulting Group$2,092.10$379.41163
ADEX Healthcare Staffing - US Travel Nursing$2,184.77$393.0816,092
Alto Healthcare Staffing$2,359.46$737.65158
Malone Healthcare Solutions$2,330.85$368.071,564
Ardor Health Solutions$2,039.93$378.5815,406
Millbrook$2,598.78$348.76153
Health Advocates Network$2,245.12$388.5215,197
Fusion Medical Staffing$2,018.12$377.7315,166
Vocaday$2,105.51$461.8915,021
GetMed Staffing, Inc.$1,850.32$435.3914,971
Rock Medical Group$2,263.08$540.731,491
iDeal Personnel$1,942.83$401.351,482
Avani Healthcare Staffing$2,006.76$407.431,472
TinkBird Healthcare Staffing$2,318.44$563.451,469
PRN Healthcare$2,086.25$377.8614,682
Spire Workforce Solutions$2,295.10$350.791,465
Health Carousel$2,019.18$449.831,445
Greenstaff Medical$2,167.46$523.551,417
Springboard Healthcare$2,345.45$347.5914,069
Alliance Healthcare Solutions$1,858.61$390.3214
Hire Up Healthcare$2,851.11$452.7314
ADEX Medical Staffing - Intl RN's to US$2,233.99$315.1113,960
RTG Medical$1,990.47$412.2213,903
Delta Medical Staffing$2,187.17$490.25137
Solomon Page$2,160.59$471.8513,560
Northside Hospital Choice+Local$2,099.59$453.521,333
Sharp Medical Staffinglife$2,259.20$410.7313,329
Med Ninjas$2,331.23$569.021,313
Zack Group$2,102.37$392.6513,037
Halcyon Nurse Staffing$2,193.03$335.561,302
SkyBridge Healthcare$1,840.78$385.3912,802
Travel Nurses Inc.$2,070.51$374.4812,652
Seven Healthcare$2,256.59$439.081,265
Solutions by Sanford$2,506.27$441.61126
Aureus Medical Group$2,146.02$407.07124,980
MSSI$2,340.44$429.571,244
SojouRN$2,617.79$522.04123
KingFish Healthcare$2,122.66$310.741,203
Adventure Nursing LLC$2,311.86$290.2112
Origin Travel Nurses$2,210.40$267.4112
Assured Nursing$2,015.86$418.8811,898
Gifted Healthcare$2,072.60$540.8611,321
Impresiv Health$2,232.98$486.641,130
Wellspring Nurse Source$2,168.00$389.0410,922
Triage Staffing$2,034.43$650.11109,013
Aptiva Healthcare$2,678.64$622.87108
Modern Healthcare Solutions$2,305.61$341.691,073
Skyline Med Staff$1,949.60$426.4010,571
Junxion Med Staffing$2,145.58$512.001,048
Beyond Medical Staffing$1,999.60$380.581,045
Reliant Staffing Solutions$2,260.63$447.241,020
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.

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