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.

edbb97a3 73f4-46c3-b9bc-6bbc2dbbafb5

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.

c86c2772 5280-4fcd-b929-c343799c997c

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$2,492.40$558.3016,699
New York$2,317.87$460.14110,395
California$2,316.76$513.66166,283
Massachusetts$2,299.04$474.6789,496
Wisconsin$2,270.16$493.9466,495
North Dakota$2,263.69$482.7025,014
Maine$2,230.09$455.4432,291
New Jersey$2,221.89$489.0454,538
Illinois$2,191.96$409.8477,702
Arizona$2,164.56$431.8352,782
Utah$2,163.33$398.526,348
West Virginia$2,162.96$441.8425,520
Hawaii$2,160.93$474.0920,605
Connecticut$2,156.47$422.8125,516
Rhode Island$2,150.01$522.777,062
Ohio$2,143.01$401.7780,792
Colorado$2,138.87$428.5650,175
Nebraska$2,132.96$444.7529,655
Vermont$2,129.83$485.6728,320
Washington$2,128.27$429.7675,853
Wyoming$2,126.21$452.307,983
Oregon$2,119.24$445.2057,059
New Hampshire$2,118.19$511.9537,739
Nevada$2,114.84$461.179,978
Minnesota$2,108.82$510.4429,945
District Of Columbia$2,103.21$361.358,276
Montana$2,086.94$407.6824,686
Iowa$2,076.39$409.2554,483
Kentucky$2,070.16$346.6736,713
Virginia$2,066.97$409.1474,190
Idaho$2,052.80$372.3418,334
Kansas$2,046.70$401.9826,895
Michigan$2,046.34$455.9956,473
South Dakota$2,045.63$469.0323,970
Indiana$2,037.56$366.7355,639
Delaware$2,034.31$575.997,619
Oklahoma$2,012.27$349.7935,724
Missouri$2,010.73$354.9953,577
Maryland$2,006.22$436.5943,683
Pennsylvania$1,977.13$504.9077,785
New Mexico$1,942.46$404.6136,567
Louisiana$1,925.46$387.6821,343
Georgia$1,917.76$384.2276,259
Texas$1,909.07$377.79110,084
North Carolina$1,902.16$363.2688,410
Tennessee$1,900.05$306.9550,204
South Carolina$1,894.58$355.1934,342
Florida$1,886.83$374.0447,025
Arkansas$1,861.07$395.5916,188
Mississippi$1,813.84$406.4511,730
Alabama$1,775.07$341.8423,014
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 Nursing Assistant (CNA / CNA)$947.77$292.78697
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA / CRNA)$6,504.45$1,055.1182
Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery (NP / CV/CT Surg)$6,193.20$248.383
Physicist (Non-Healthcare / Phys)$5,241.40$1,058.40594
Perfusionist (Allied / Perf)$5,146.86$1,253.86271
Nurse Practitioner (NP / NP)$3,978.72$1,459.9438
Neonatology (NP / Neonatology)$3,935.98$140.073
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP / FNP)$3,691.20$1,801.92117
Psychiatry - Mental Health (NP / Psych)$3,598.82$246.7113
Assistant Nurse Manager (RN / Asst RN Mgr)$3,124.48$617.94101
Dosimetrist (Allied / Dosimetrist)$2,974.59$600.05433
Critical Care Flight / Transport Nurse (RN / Flight)$2,893.68$597.61142
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RN / RNFA)$2,752.73$685.065,428
Visual Impairments Teacher (School Services / School)$2,742.48$630.4619
Antepartum (Allied / Ante)$2,729.25$844.61395
Pediatric Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / Peds CVOR)$2,695.88$551.46111
Doctor of Pharmacy (Allied / PharmD)$2,654.34$497.795,135
Hematology (RN / Heme)$2,618.02$566.3068
Audiologist (Allied / Aud)$2,612.85$437.79306
Pathology Assistant (Allied / Path Asst)$2,584.27$484.271,399
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (School Services / BCBA)$2,582.36$403.0820
Lactation (RN / Lactation)$2,569.44$283.4431
Psychologist (Allied / CP)$2,568.66$768.03257
Public Health (RN / Pub Hlth)$2,545.55$429.5582
Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / CVOR)$2,525.41$464.2315,952
Nurse Manager (RN / RN Mgr)$2,515.10$720.233,880
Pediatric Operating Room (RN / Peds OR)$2,512.23$482.63925
Multi-Modality Technologist (Allied / Multi-Modality Technologist)$2,509.73$356.642,037
Director of Nursing (RN / DON)$2,507.13$740.781,921
School Psychologist, Certified (School Services / NCSP)$2,500.29$1,086.49186
Radiology (RN / Radiology)$2,493.54$461.643,554
Nurse Educator (RN / Education)$2,489.01$475.26626
House Supervisor (Supervisor / House Sup)$2,486.83$529.832,785
Interventional Radiology Technologist (Allied / IR Tech)$2,482.89$418.7626,554
Patient Care Coordinator (RN / PCC)$2,480.57$440.8129
Special Procedures Technologist (Allied / Special Procedures Tech)$2,475.50$468.34993
Cardiac Cath Lab (RN / Cath Lab)$2,470.19$422.6233,025
Special Procedures (RN / Special Procedures)$2,463.05$382.03421
Infection Control (RN / Infection)$2,452.56$562.361,021
Interventional Radiology (RN / IR)$2,450.87$427.799,560
Obstetric Ultrasound - Sonographer (Allied / OB/GYN US)$2,439.90$280.4116
Cardiovascular Cath Lab Technologist (Allied / Cardiac Cath Lab Tech)$2,436.07$423.9945,861
Pediatric Oncology (RN / Peds Onc)$2,433.09$1,164.5342
Electrophysiology Lab Technician (Allied / EP Lab Tech)$2,424.37$381.584,723
Electrophysiology Lab (RN / EP Lab)$2,417.35$416.393,336
Pediatric Hematology - Oncology (RN / Peds Heme/Onc)$2,416.72$425.46128
Administrative (RN / Admin)$2,413.08$657.71489
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (RN / PICU)$2,405.29$488.688,955
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist (RN / CDI)$2,399.90$356.0273
Nurse Navigator (RN / RN Navigator)$2,397.87$338.5245
Therapeutic Apheresis (RN / Apheresis)$2,388.96$480.18180
Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / Peds CVICU)$2,379.77$479.33776
Pediatric Progressive Care Unit (RN / Peds PCU)$2,379.75$355.82405
Computed Tomography Technologist (Allied / CT Tech)$2,379.25$401.44144,508
Ultrasound-Sonography Technician (Allied / US/Sono Tech)$2,376.45$477.196,566
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Allied / CNMT)$2,367.38$358.3514,690
Hematology / Oncology (RN / Heme / Onc)$2,362.51$404.48796
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (RN / CTICU)$2,357.17$474.38442
Echocardiograph Technologist (Allied / Echo Technologist)$2,353.81$363.8111,845
MRI Technician (Allied / MRI Tech)$2,346.52$506.5912,796
Mammography Tech (Allied / Mammo Tech)$2,341.97$483.036,722
Surgical Oncology (RN / Surg Onc)$2,341.17$336.83205
Echocardiograph Technician (Allied / Echo Tech)$2,337.84$389.5111,363
Vascular Technologist (Allied / RVT)$2,337.61$438.965,174
Radiotherapist (Allied / Radiotherapy)$2,335.29$449.685,122
Same Day Surgery (RN / SDS)$2,334.55$219.3218
Clinical Nurse Coordinator (RN / CNC)$2,325.02$1,005.82725
Echo-Vascular Technician (Allied / Echo/Vasc Tech)$2,324.69$414.935,124
Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / Peds PACU)$2,323.99$385.71203
OB/GYN (RN / OB/GYN)$2,321.25$483.664,717
Pediatric Emergency Department (RN / Peds ED)$2,315.62$416.442,218
Cytotechnologist (Allied / Cyto)$2,309.27$413.721,646
Nurse Resident (RN / RN Resident)$2,306.11$625.7615
Operating Room (RN / OR)$2,304.16$421.9269,557
MRI Technologist (Allied / MRI Technologist)$2,298.68$377.8243,887
Emergency Medicine (PA / ED)$2,291.60$13.155
Bone Marrow Transplant (RN / BMT)$2,277.20$370.091,307
Labor & Delivery (RN / L&D)$2,270.56$432.0654,711
Cardiology (RN / Cardio)$2,268.21$386.712,165
Vascular Access Nurse (RN / PICC RN)$2,266.25$309.32401
Urgent Care (RN / Urgent Care)$2,263.27$560.62591
Ultrasound Technologist (Allied / US Technologist)$2,258.04$357.7348,883
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RN / NICU)$2,253.18$441.9312,265
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RN / CRNA)$2,252.21$2,105.74188
Pediatrics (RN / Peds)$2,247.57$445.738,608
Admissions (RN / ADM)$2,235.74$255.9685
Wound Care (RN / Wound)$2,234.35$416.592,736
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / CVICU)$2,232.79$419.2118,721
Urology (RN / Urology)$2,229.01$320.48198
Research / Clinical Research (RN / Research)$2,221.85$524.3450
Infusion Therapy (RN / Infusion)$2,220.75$387.832,410
Case Management (RN / CM)$2,215.69$393.3114,302
Transplant (RN / Transplant)$2,210.80$417.42686
Perioperative (RN / Peri-op)$2,208.33$441.482,386
Coronary Care Unit (RN / CCU)$2,206.65$308.986,523
Gastrointestinal Lab (RN / GI Lab)$2,205.64$447.402,055
Pain Management (RN / Pain Mgt)$2,204.18$303.0585
Neurology Intensive Care Unit (RN / Neuro ICU)$2,200.32$318.443,595
Float Pool (RN / Float)$2,197.82$393.951,880
Diagnostic Radiologist (Allied / Radiologist)$2,197.03$505.831,196
Postpartum (RN / PP)$2,193.38$428.104,859
Cardiac Stepdown Unit (RN / CSDU)$2,193.10$307.101,447
Postoperative (RN / Post-op)$2,191.74$315.3879
Burn Intensive Care Unit (RN / BICU)$2,188.30$456.85723
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (RN / SICU)$2,187.44$343.401,847
Sub-Acute (RN / Sub-Acute)$2,185.58$253.4672
Radiology Technologist (Allied / X-Ray Technologist)$2,185.19$406.2956,875
Orthopedic Neurology (RN / Ortho / Neuro)$2,169.63$292.15280
Oncology (RN / Onc)$2,168.44$367.3124,668
Direct Observation Unit (RN / DOU)$2,163.53$303.191,507
Endoscopy (RN / Endo)$2,156.30$386.989,695
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / PACU)$2,155.13$390.9922,320
Utilization Review (RN / UR)$2,152.62$426.661,085
X-Ray Technician (Allied / X-Ray Tech)$2,148.33$370.272,208
Ambulatory Care (RN / Amb)$2,145.78$461.872,730
Emergency Department (RN / ED)$2,145.13$366.27115,072
Medical Surgical Telemetry (RN / Med Surg Tele)$2,142.77$293.7169,502
Certified Surgical First Assistant (Allied / CSFA)$2,141.52$454.412,795
Intensive Care Unit (RN / ICU)$2,135.33$364.5192,071
Step Down Unit (RN / SDU)$2,134.43$321.5922,191
Nephrology (RN / Neph)$2,130.58$223.31320
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Allied / LCSW)$2,126.10$349.303,908
Neurology Progressive Care Unit (RN / Neuro PCU)$2,124.10$295.43942
Neurology (RN / Neuro)$2,116.97$317.025,955
Trauma Intensive Care Unit (RN / TICU)$2,111.00$327.57954
Home Health (RN / HH)$2,110.59$331.0429,545
Acute Care (RN / Acute)$2,108.36$352.065,084
Outpatient Clinic (Allied / Outpatient)$2,105.20$282.4630
Outpatient Clinic (RN / Outpatient)$2,105.16$452.094,866
Progressive Care Unit (RN / PCU)$2,101.97$327.0276,941
Corrections (RN / Corr)$2,096.59$405.282,958
CVOR Technologist (Allied / CVOR Tech)$2,095.65$358.9716,559
Telemetry (RN / Tele)$2,084.65$351.8889,700
Dialysis (RN / Dialysis)$2,079.93$357.0212,668
Occupational Health (RN / Occ Health)$2,074.06$434.19293
Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (RN / CPCU)$2,060.42$253.197,440
Orthopedic (RN / Ortho)$2,055.81$343.898,639
Radiology Technician (Allied / Rad Tech)$2,050.96$347.1732,363
Stroke / Neuro (RN / Stroke / Neuro)$2,050.23$257.94169
Medical Surgical (RN / Med Surg)$2,045.64$346.08191,476
Psychiatric - Mental Health (RN / Psych)$2,044.92$381.1122,250
Long Term Acute Care (RN / LTAC)$2,038.11$371.8414,687
Hospice (RN / Hospice)$2,020.31$304.229,234
Assistant Director of Nursing (RN / Asst. DON)$2,002.96$511.84172
Registered Dietician (Allied / RDCD)$2,002.51$300.00247
Rehabilitation Therapy (Allied / Rehab Therapy)$2,001.75$377.11499
Telehealth (RN / Telehealth)$1,980.47$321.1867
Psychiatric - Mental Health Technician (Allied / Psych Tech)$1,943.90$693.27318
Respiratory Therapist (Allied / RT)$1,943.08$380.4343,224
Physical Therapy (Therapy / PT)$1,934.18$338.81188,321
Speech Language Pathologist (Allied / SLP)$1,928.01$296.2745,457
Electroencephalogram Technician (Allied / EEG Tech)$1,904.17$339.34590
School Nurse (RN / School Nurse)$1,882.38$618.76202
Occupational Therapy (Therapy / OT)$1,879.93$311.3154,116
Recreational Therapist (Therapy / RT)$1,867.70$446.2616
Obstetric Technician (Allied / OB Tech)$1,857.90$399.84674
Long Term Care (RN / LTC)$1,857.46$396.9428,848
Special Education Teacher (School Services / Special Ed)$1,831.39$338.13466
Polysomnographer (Allied / Sleep Tech)$1,825.72$349.871,874
Operating Room / Surgical Technician (Allied / OR / Surg Tech)$1,822.74$341.5070,799
Skilled Nursing Facility (RN / SNF)$1,799.81$446.279,189
Electroencephalogram Technologist (Allied / EEG Technologist)$1,796.30$287.61794
Medical Tech / Medical Laboratory Scientist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Allied / MT / MLS / CLS)$1,784.95$484.1514,821
Rehabilitation (RN / Rehab)$1,781.71$466.8519,457
Histotechnician (Allied / HT)$1,756.47$395.202,126
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (Allied / SLPA)$1,750.07$243.96112
Charge Nurse (RN / Charge)$1,713.47$505.27570
Anesthesia Technician (Allied / Anesthesia Tech)$1,658.08$721.45410
American Sign Language Teacher (School Services / ASL Teacher)$1,650.60$100.493
Electrocardiograph Technician (Allied / EKG Tech)$1,644.16$532.9552
Home Health (Allied / HH)$1,643.14$306.625
Long Term Acute Care (LPN / LVN / LTAC)$1,625.91$277.1791
Paramedic (Allied / Paramedic)$1,625.03$328.37136
Emergency Department (LPN / LVN / ED)$1,605.87$393.27181
Endoscopy Technician (Allied / Endo Tech)$1,593.73$365.111,069
Corrections (LPN / LVN / Corr)$1,551.43$299.051,879
Home Health (LPN / LVN / HH)$1,539.71$216.873,799
Telemetry (LPN / LVN / Tele)$1,524.46$315.06313
Psychiatric - Mental Health (LPN / LVN / Psych)$1,509.74$287.04734
Telemetry Monitor Technician (Allied / Tele / Monitor Tech)$1,497.25$381.10322
Outpatient Clinic (LPN / LVN / Outpatient)$1,451.10$272.353,102
( / Rehab)$1,422.55$234.00247
Long Term Care (LPN / LVN / LTC)$1,413.48$258.5332,240
Antepartum (RN / Antepartum)$1,410.51$712.96712
Medical Surgical (LPN / LVN / Med Surg)$1,393.51$266.533,884
School Nurse (LPN / LVN / School Nurse)$1,389.36$306.7858
Hospice (LPN / LVN / Hospice)$1,386.91$255.68352
Emergency Department Technician (Allied / ED Tech)$1,377.18$376.0495
Pharmacy Technician (Allied / Pharm Tech)$1,345.80$323.48612
Physical Therapy Assistant (Therapy / PTA)$1,343.85$231.8937,445
Skilled Nursing Facility (LPN / LVN / SNF)$1,332.71$320.90326
Occupational Therapy Assistant (Therapy / OTA)$1,325.79$210.489,654
Dialysis Technician (Allied / Dialysis Tech)$1,323.54$191.71685
LPN / LVN (LPN / LVN / LPN / LVN)$1,290.27$284.0721,469
Sterile Processing Technician (Allied / SPT)$1,288.03$253.164,893
Patient Care Technician (Allied / PCT)$1,257.24$559.17209
Phlebotomy (Allied / Phlebotomist)$1,168.01$287.14204
Home Health (CNA / HH)$1,144.26$442.4612
Clerical (Non-Healthcare / Clerical)$1,129.81$570.8412
Certified Medical Assistant (Allied / CMA)$1,095.08$317.57755
Long Term Care (CNA / LTC)$1,039.90$304.23683
Medical Surgical (CNA / Med Surg)$1,030.08$284.16231
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
Republic Health Resources$2,102.83$491.079,967
NuWest Group$2,249.79$418.099,920
Assured Nursing$2,021.87$414.949,750
Journey Healthcare Solutions$2,088.54$497.98947
Med Travelers (AMN Allied)$1,792.66$466.10944
Cynet Health$2,172.60$446.859,378
Skyline Med Staff$1,979.74$445.299,138
Triage Staffing$2,008.31$611.1090,945
PRIDE Health$2,149.93$370.159,084
Nurses 24/7$2,422.11$487.50901
Headwaters Healthcare$2,908.52$564.229
Kiwi Healthcare$2,250.56$476.90887
Convergence Medical Staffing$2,221.60$1,083.1586
Innovate Healthcare Staffing$2,294.01$312.42850
Lead Health$2,276.38$418.468,472
Reliant Staffing Solutions$2,294.59$496.14842
Aptiva Healthcare$2,695.09$677.0284
Sharp Medical Staffinglife$2,375.48$399.998,376
Medical Talent$2,129.98$456.73836
Aequor Healthcare$1,989.13$400.2782,538
Wellspring Nurse Source$2,183.18$396.428,107
Meda Health$2,190.07$366.82806
United Staffing Solutions$2,211.05$386.8380
Quality Clinicians$2,867.99$176.028
Phaxis$2,062.28$315.597,942
Care Partners Staffing$2,055.85$369.67784
Ethos Medical Staffing$2,090.44$386.477,744
Lifeline Medical Staffing$2,154.85$439.45762
Onyx Health Care Staffing$2,188.79$456.35759
National Staffing$1,925.17$707.027,566
MARS Solutions Group$1,868.95$841.8675
MedWave Healthcare Staffing$2,187.81$329.77740
Grady Works$1,929.36$257.3573
Prime Time Healthcare$2,373.36$411.697,275
Beyond Medical Staffing$2,044.67$366.46725
Peregrine Team$3,170.64$527.8572
American Mobile Healthcare (AMN)$2,338.70$499.527,041
Loyal Source$2,393.57$855.357
PS Companies$2,496.46$343.67699
Alto Healthcare Staffing$2,403.24$342.8065
ATC Healthcare$2,613.86$744.2464
Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health)$2,170.17$400.8463,424
Treva Corporation$2,160.35$320.76630
Health Carousel - Allied Travel$1,953.76$370.376,218
trustaff$2,037.79$372.366,062
Nurse Hustle$2,162.58$379.23599
Mindlance Health$2,395.05$467.53593
EGA Associates$2,065.04$502.7659
Froedtert Health$2,224.98$415.35585
Delta Healthcare Providers$1,968.85$237.255,768
ICONMA$2,289.25$377.23576
DT-Trak Consulting$2,604.48$348.96575
Pluto Healthcare Staffing$2,286.89$359.0257
GrapeTree Medical Staffing$1,672.42$415.465,688
Host Healthcare$2,240.88$880.1956,535
Novo Connections$2,421.01$761.1556
Maxim Healthcare Services$2,408.82$565.45559
ARM Staffing$2,058.39$424.355,589
Next Move, Inc.$2,051.95$342.235,587
Sunbelt Staffing$2,489.81$419.00556
Critical Connection, inc$1,964.01$254.615,535
Premier Healthcare Professionals$2,175.97$459.4855,123
FlexUp Direct$2,037.51$523.595,480
ADEX Healthcare Staffing$2,242.54$322.365,468
Catapult Healthcare$2,236.96$520.885,467
Arrow Healthcare Staffing and Recruiting$2,062.95$378.435,442
Siemens Healthineers$2,620.31$355.99542
Centra Healthcare$1,701.11$292.895,402
Thrive Staffing$1,907.52$478.275,385
Providence Health Care Staffing$1,821.53$588.925,335
CoreMedical Group$1,923.63$366.8652,726
Formation, Inc.$2,325.73$626.65524
Premier Medical Staffing$2,074.39$346.855,179
Nightingale Nurses$2,174.18$376.765,129
Lahey Health$2,637.00$527.82507
TotalMed$2,061.29$391.0550,062
The Stepping Stones Group$1,890.39$365.04499
Insight Global$2,414.65$530.82498
MedPro Healthcare Staffing$2,090.61$419.3748,631
Source Medical Staffing$2,211.61$408.494,814
Reliable Nurse Staffing$2,262.32$342.764,806
Allyon$2,250.39$485.53476
SambaCare$2,314.23$467.514,746
Atlas MedStaff$2,112.75$379.234,737
Lucid Staffing Solutions$2,402.39$983.76460
Accountable Healthcare Staffing$2,101.40$371.874,503
OneStaff Medical$1,908.76$562.5844,073
Axis Medical Staffing$2,196.64$341.2244
Nurses First Solutions$2,074.60$408.294,325
Destination Travelcare$2,153.67$386.124,239
Health Specialists, Inc.$2,183.04$351.574,177
Remede Consulting Group, Inc.$2,121.09$366.744,157
Cambay Healthcare$2,244.72$545.07412
Triage Consulting Group$2,109.27$396.77412
Planet Healthcare$2,158.48$427.2141,079
Titan Medical Group$2,262.34$392.374,098
FocusPoint$2,693.22$402.70406
VitalHire$2,172.24$548.60405
Advocate Health Staffing$2,202.13$351.994
All Medical Personnel$1,778.08$496.414
Hamilton Staffing Solutions$2,232.16$375.314
LanceSoft$2,279.14$394.7039,294
Professional Nursing Service$2,564.94$404.92392
Prime HealthCare Staffing$1,951.83$382.593,870
LeaderStat$2,151.72$425.6138,347
RNnetwork$2,009.43$625.7238,083
Leaders in Care$2,086.09$207.3138
Access Healthcare Staffing$2,185.70$491.8637,582
Favorite Healthcare Staffing$2,094.48$310.353,708
Guardian HealthStaff, LLC.$2,087.65$358.063,699
Alliance Healthcare Solutions$1,634.15$340.34363
Genie Healthcare$2,120.05$454.1136,116
CT Assist$2,564.47$668.1236
Ventura MedStaff$1,953.47$458.2735,483
Aya Healthcare$2,277.68$465.073,538
Excel Medical Staffing$2,111.84$439.283,525
MedicalPeople Staffing, LLC$2,503.46$446.77349
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions$2,007.08$361.1634,746
Club Staffing (AMN)$2,059.24$336.38343
Cross Country Healthcare$2,069.59$474.4734,084
eTeam Inc$2,218.74$499.203,392
Custom Healthcare Solutions$2,003.43$415.23338
GQR Healthcare$2,282.24$583.173,350
TLC Nursing$1,950.15$551.783,343
RCM Healthcare Services$2,181.52$339.323,317
Marvel Medical Staffing$1,961.12$397.3632,371
City Mobile Group$2,182.23$370.733,228
QS Nurses$1,860.57$539.513,186
Healthcare Support$2,083.42$402.0531,830
Innovent Global$2,251.05$484.19315
DirectShifts$2,121.30$585.9131
Firstat Medical Staffing$2,246.97$407.123,082
HumanEdge$2,111.67$384.783,022
Epic Special Education Staffing (formerly TherapyTravelers)$2,538.00$31.183
Platinum Healthcare Staffing$2,295.60$591.333
Primrose Group$2,146.32$74.223
Softpath System, LLC$2,214.65$345.213
Amare Medical Network$2,152.35$458.982,992
Aura Staffing Partners$1,823.72$252.0029
Medical Solutions$2,094.94$432.4528,713
Uniti Med$1,842.93$525.0128,456
Open Door Personnel$2,164.36$410.76280
Cure Healthcare Staffing$2,361.65$332.512,784
Excite Health Partners$2,655.72$491.10276
Vighter$2,360.31$353.602,703
Health Carousel$2,053.16$441.742,689
Corratel Healthcare$2,511.16$489.332,667
Vital Workforce Solutions$2,139.40$375.642,642
Refined Medical Staffing$2,159.97$431.642,630
Infojini Healthcare$2,170.60$598.37262
AB Staffing Solutions$2,114.07$571.182,604
Becker Health$2,467.37$403.77258
Blu Medstaff$1,921.85$368.79255
Impresiv Health$2,227.76$472.872,543
RightPro Staffing$2,296.32$263.37253
Specialty Professional Services$2,052.32$508.362,523
Go Healthcare$2,017.88$498.2525,082
Connected Health Care$2,145.07$428.622,507
Trusted Resource Associates (TRA)$2,245.16$410.272,491
American Medical Staffing$1,992.58$523.062,469
WorkSquare$1,947.49$366.10246
Galaxy Healthcare$2,202.90$315.732,458
Voyage Healthcare$2,098.65$460.472,404
Delta Medical Staffing$2,319.67$532.68239
Trusted Health$2,052.35$564.312,363
GLC On-The-Go$1,840.05$509.8522,937
Nurse First Travel Agency$2,170.56$361.9622,741
American Traveler$2,136.43$345.5322,654
Healthcare Staffing - IDR, Inc$1,943.58$458.1422,429
Coast Medical Service$2,181.69$422.3622,236
Adventure Nursing LLC$2,340.55$314.6922
CrossMed$2,026.81$401.7221,822
3D Medical Staffing$2,187.06$460.542,182
Supplemental Health Care$1,835.65$475.3921,586
The Judge Group$2,530.01$464.192,152
ADEX Medical Staffing$2,233.28$325.2421,404
Alliance Medical Staffing$2,060.04$466.432,138
Trinity Health FirstChoice$2,320.57$399.102,128
MedUS Healthcare$2,218.19$382.962,121
Medmasa$2,675.75$571.08211
TactStaff$2,185.72$354.9920,925
Junxion Med Staffing$2,065.63$504.882,086
Medasource$2,444.47$280.80208
IntellaPro Staffing$2,296.11$537.962,075
TRS Healthcare$2,057.84$414.1620,110
Med Ninjas$2,286.94$630.662,009
Jackson Therapy Partners$1,910.17$415.5419,967
FlexCare Medical Staffing$2,132.97$428.8919,859
Bluebird Staffing$2,161.34$341.161,962
Explore Tek$2,323.25$749.8619
Anders Group$2,087.53$421.4918,850
Advantis Medical Staffing$2,076.00$372.5118,802
CareNational$2,197.78$390.39187
Fiber Staffing$1,970.87$309.841,868
KPG Healthcare$2,174.69$543.6018,278
Nationwide Therapy Group$1,809.74$505.6017,823
ADN Healthcare$2,210.71$407.2817,627
Bestica$2,319.31$345.931,760
Jackson Nurse Professionals$2,119.55$435.2517,476
TheraEX Staffing Services$2,210.29$577.781,739
KingFish Healthcare$2,140.97$297.121,704
Focus Staff$2,142.03$510.8416,911
Northside Hospital Choice+Local$2,124.10$462.711,673
Millbrook$2,553.76$377.68165
TinkBird Healthcare Staffing$2,324.33$538.331,648
MAS Medical Staffing$2,106.88$415.791,637
The Good Life MedStaff$2,203.58$526.801,622
Saratoga Medical Staffing$2,912.18$891.4916
CareTeam Solutions$1,991.13$458.3715,866
Stability Healthcare$2,111.17$380.6415,850
Plains Medical Staffing$2,132.44$534.641,569
Vibra Travels$2,155.17$306.6215,414
Travel Nurse Across America$2,191.59$401.3315,405
Summit Medical Staffing$2,174.29$418.5515,358
Malone Healthcare Solutions$2,352.86$419.691,532
GHR Travel Nursing$2,225.62$352.1815,252
Ardor Health Solutions$2,031.28$400.2815,243
Pulse Healthcare Services$2,142.44$455.771,512
Consolidated Medical Travel$2,624.30$438.421,507
White Glove Placement$2,982.59$1,826.9615
ALOIS Healthcare$2,112.49$461.2414,893
AMN Healthcare Allied$1,956.67$484.6214,854
Ink - A Healthcare Staffing Co.$2,400.91$421.801,474
Reliable Source Talent$2,535.58$399.35147
Solutions by Sanford$2,472.94$438.30147
Rock Medical Group$2,223.54$546.731,460
Greenstaff Medical$2,172.53$524.261,456
Synergy Medical Staffing$1,941.19$483.3314,474
Revolution Healthcare Services$2,230.79$427.221,446
Vastek Inc.$2,301.41$401.541,419
Vocaday$2,122.30$461.6214,032
Hire Up Healthcare$2,851.11$452.7314
Marshall Healthcare Staffing$2,170.13$599.061,363
PeopleFirst RN Staffing$2,156.26$268.44136
SojouRN$2,681.03$474.92136
Fastaff Travel Nursing$2,576.82$488.58134
MedQ GLOBAL STAFFING$2,536.37$420.26132
LRS Healthcare$2,193.19$432.6213,138
Travel Nurses Inc.$2,101.34$368.0513,120
Springboard Healthcare$2,336.10$349.7713,105
SkyBridge Healthcare$1,844.65$387.1013,097
GetMed Staffing, Inc.$1,880.65$439.1813,016
CareerStaff Unlimited$3,139.38$2,709.50130
Tallavera$2,285.85$598.7113
MSSI$2,335.97$459.701,298
Solomon Page$2,169.08$467.6412,945
Gifted Healthcare$2,077.85$543.0312,586
MedCall Staffing$2,311.13$255.06125
Spire Workforce Solutions$2,319.78$370.871,233
Fusion Medical Staffing$2,011.46$392.0612,274
Modern Healthcare Solutions$2,304.48$354.421,223
Health Advocates Network$2,235.44$386.5312,183
Origin Travel Nurses$2,210.40$267.4112
Halcyon Nurse Staffing$2,194.57$340.501,184
Southeast HEALTH$2,648.20$397.75116
PRN Healthcare$2,040.58$384.5511,571
RKA Recruiting$2,404.46$400.461,149
Aureus Medical Group$2,157.93$425.87114,417
RTG Medical$1,979.49$411.4111,148
Lifeline Healthcare Professionals$2,390.24$479.831,105
TLC Travel Staff$2,111.22$470.9510,570
Soliant Health$2,372.75$529.391,053
iDeal Personnel$1,873.77$386.191,052
Avani Healthcare Staffing$2,084.92$457.531,047
NURSES Etc. STAFFING$2,150.49$553.981,037
Seven Healthcare$2,223.15$431.901,026
Magnet Medical$2,194.73$518.0610,257
AHS Staffing$2,067.78$345.6410,250
Zack Group$2,115.78$369.9410,245
Winston Staffing$2,269.52$437.10102
Mynela Staffing$1,823.58$465.9610
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 🖐🎤

We can't wait to hear your success stories - Tell us how our travel nurse salary interactive pay explorer has helped you.

Did we miss any questions you have about finding how much travel nurses can make?

Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook so we can add your requests to future updates.

Share with your registered nurse friends so they can see their earning potential too!