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$2,428.47$545.3812,846
California$2,353.37$488.08144,953
Wisconsin$2,322.59$636.7964,863
New York$2,313.77$433.67108,500
Massachusetts$2,305.87$477.5779,757
Vermont$2,275.96$579.9223,846
North Dakota$2,253.70$489.8122,880
New Jersey$2,222.59$419.3344,501
Illinois$2,211.57$441.9868,259
Rhode Island$2,203.43$449.576,164
Connecticut$2,191.20$424.2518,589
Maine$2,183.83$404.2430,716
South Dakota$2,173.38$502.8220,254
Oregon$2,172.51$424.1743,501
Nevada$2,160.94$433.158,309
Nebraska$2,158.32$394.1126,558
New Hampshire$2,158.17$484.9031,413
Washington$2,156.24$431.8570,618
Idaho$2,147.68$347.0915,299
Minnesota$2,137.17$563.0324,813
West Virginia$2,136.24$426.6921,242
Montana$2,132.19$419.7121,573
Hawaii$2,129.88$456.6815,174
Arizona$2,124.15$406.1752,315
Ohio$2,120.62$403.7270,935
Colorado$2,118.13$416.3442,733
Wyoming$2,117.29$421.447,410
Utah$2,111.09$397.435,158
Iowa$2,104.80$382.4746,905
Kentucky$2,082.16$344.3527,905
Oklahoma$2,067.20$341.0430,902
Virginia$2,057.39$364.4963,575
Indiana$2,055.37$385.9747,693
District Of Columbia$2,055.22$350.125,808
Kansas$2,041.26$395.8224,269
Missouri$2,035.73$350.0941,838
Michigan$2,030.52$427.2946,878
Delaware$2,023.08$482.435,217
Pennsylvania$2,010.39$507.9060,925
Maryland$1,999.40$406.0136,047
New Mexico$1,943.24$413.5633,418
Louisiana$1,936.45$366.3415,463
Georgia$1,905.05$357.6072,498
Arkansas$1,903.31$445.259,369
Tennessee$1,900.16$299.8039,335
South Carolina$1,896.23$326.4631,519
North Carolina$1,893.38$352.9580,519
Florida$1,886.44$335.5045,488
Texas$1,877.03$357.0691,010
Mississippi$1,849.18$504.328,466
Alabama$1,779.67$326.0418,904
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
Medical Surgical (CNA / Med Surg)$940.02$293.9779
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA / CRNA)$6,768.10$1,594.5141
Cardiovascular / Cardiothoracic Surgery (PA / CV / CT Surg)$5,743.13$321.305
Physicist (Non-Healthcare / Phys)$5,389.87$1,095.64333
Perfusionist (Allied / Perf)$4,912.51$959.13336
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP / FNP)$3,331.59$1,478.91132
Psychiatry - Mental Health (NP / Psych)$3,242.92$744.8017
Assistant Nurse Manager (RN / Asst RN Mgr)$3,086.81$566.4725
Dosimetrist (Allied / Dosimetrist)$3,046.07$661.85224
Psychologist (Allied / CP)$3,016.81$1,011.64108
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (School Services / School)$2,990.45$1,917.7119
Emergency Medicine (PA / ED)$2,906.16$843.775
Critical Care Flight / Transport Nurse (RN / Flight)$2,835.86$795.3353
Lactation (RN / Lactation)$2,786.45$380.2234
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RN / CRNA)$2,771.85$2,481.79147
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RN / RNFA)$2,748.86$745.783,666
Audiologist (Allied / Aud)$2,656.38$522.74191
Pediatric Oncology (RN / Peds Onc)$2,636.14$1,398.3986
Doctor of Pharmacy (Allied / PharmD)$2,631.52$494.514,788
Pathology Assistant (Allied / Path Asst)$2,602.40$502.19967
Pediatric Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / Peds CVOR)$2,581.53$451.45117
Special Procedures Technologist (Allied / Special Procedures Tech)$2,572.45$400.731,432
Interventional Radiology Technologist (Allied / IR Tech)$2,565.45$457.8323,654
Director of Nursing (RN / DON)$2,550.64$681.511,398
Public Health (RN / Pub Hlth)$2,542.31$242.6420
Nurse Manager (RN / RN Mgr)$2,538.22$707.173,580
Multi-Modality Technologist (Allied / Multi-Modality Technologist)$2,517.84$314.971,194
Infection Control (RN / Infection)$2,512.75$499.98655
Cardiovascular Cath Lab Technologist (Allied / Cardiac Cath Lab Tech)$2,484.74$410.8438,798
Pediatric Operating Room (RN / Peds OR)$2,484.66$566.85828
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Allied / CNMT)$2,456.47$451.6714,111
Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / CVOR)$2,453.32$433.6616,816
Nurse Navigator (RN / RN Navigator)$2,449.17$380.9862
Electrophysiology Lab Technician (Allied / EP Lab Tech)$2,448.88$396.624,545
School Psychologist, Certified (School Services / NCSP)$2,447.60$853.53125
Administrative (RN / Admin)$2,443.50$580.90304
Electrophysiology Lab (RN / EP Lab)$2,441.01$418.113,346
House Supervisor (Supervisor / House Sup)$2,437.51$458.931,840
Cardiac Cath Lab (RN / Cath Lab)$2,426.99$383.2531,867
Interventional Radiology (RN / IR)$2,423.93$385.819,326
Computed Tomography Technologist (Allied / CT Tech)$2,419.32$421.16126,930
Special Procedures (RN / Special Procedures)$2,408.99$422.47275
Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / Peds CVICU)$2,402.36$347.73843
MRI Technologist (Allied / MRI Technologist)$2,388.28$407.2541,517
Pediatric Hematology - Oncology (RN / Peds Heme/Onc)$2,386.71$340.94191
Radiology (RN / Radiology)$2,382.77$380.703,064
Clinical Nurse Coordinator (RN / CNC)$2,378.64$503.79157
MRI Technician (Allied / MRI Tech)$2,374.07$412.9210,576
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (RN / PICU)$2,369.55$436.829,661
Echocardiograph Technologist (Allied / Echo Technologist)$2,365.79$371.928,984
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist (RN / CDI)$2,364.94$308.9767
Diagnostic Radiologist (Allied / Radiologist)$2,361.32$445.38684
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (School Services / BCBA)$2,354.68$745.7246
Echo-Vascular Technician (Allied / Echo/Vasc Tech)$2,341.95$541.992,210
Radiotherapist (Allied / Radiotherapy)$2,333.06$434.206,815
Surgical Oncology (RN / Surg Onc)$2,333.00$358.13162
Labor & Delivery (RN / L&D)$2,322.94$430.5165,234
Mammography Tech (Allied / Mammo Tech)$2,317.71$389.199,688
Vascular Access Nurse (RN / PICC RN)$2,313.59$383.78183
Same Day Surgery (RN / SDS)$2,308.22$343.689
Vascular Technologist (Allied / RVT)$2,307.81$404.664,115
Echocardiograph Technician (Allied / Echo Tech)$2,307.06$364.347,523
Cytotechnologist (Allied / Cyto)$2,304.99$413.091,182
Nurse Educator (RN / Education)$2,277.58$811.18700
Pediatric Progressive Care Unit (RN / Peds PCU)$2,272.85$254.29514
Hematology (RN / Heme)$2,271.05$305.81137
Ultrasound Technologist (Allied / US Technologist)$2,268.89$381.0636,125
Admissions (RN / ADM)$2,264.58$253.5836
OB/GYN (RN / OB/GYN)$2,264.57$433.174,448
Hematology / Oncology (RN / Heme / Onc)$2,263.68$338.29922
Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / Peds PACU)$2,262.37$363.68232
Ultrasound-Sonography Technician (Allied / US/Sono Tech)$2,249.09$354.096,892
Bone Marrow Transplant (RN / BMT)$2,242.23$293.771,012
Patient Care Coordinator (RN / PCC)$2,238.79$712.7589
Wound Care (RN / Wound)$2,237.60$440.702,881
Pediatric Emergency Department (RN / Peds ED)$2,235.16$369.372,655
Cardiac Stepdown Unit (RN / CSDU)$2,232.60$296.80432
Operating Room (RN / OR)$2,229.73$419.4662,632
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / CVICU)$2,222.60$395.3018,847
Coronary Care Unit (RN / CCU)$2,219.95$304.845,649
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RN / NICU)$2,216.39$418.0214,949
Case Management (RN / CM)$2,213.08$392.7712,859
Obstetric Ultrasound - Sonographer (Allied / OB/GYN US)$2,211.92$393.63143
Orthopedic Neurology (RN / Ortho / Neuro)$2,208.62$286.95222
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (RN / CTICU)$2,203.25$314.99569
Infusion Therapy (RN / Infusion)$2,202.28$388.932,307
Pediatrics (RN / Peds)$2,198.10$409.987,941
Transplant (RN / Transplant)$2,195.38$470.73703
Postoperative (RN / Post-op)$2,184.16$298.1189
Cardiology (RN / Cardio)$2,181.71$368.112,066
Neurology Intensive Care Unit (RN / Neuro ICU)$2,178.27$309.504,188
Pain Management (RN / Pain Mgt)$2,172.33$260.6948
Utilization Review (RN / UR)$2,163.28$356.71480
Direct Observation Unit (RN / DOU)$2,161.97$303.821,632
Postpartum (RN / PP)$2,159.72$459.525,563
Burn Intensive Care Unit (RN / BICU)$2,159.68$456.12753
Float Pool (RN / Float)$2,158.21$363.602,056
Step Down Unit (RN / SDU)$2,156.39$302.9117,406
Oncology (RN / Onc)$2,147.08$364.4621,755
Urgent Care (RN / Urgent Care)$2,144.13$459.79345
Radiology Technologist (Allied / X-Ray Technologist)$2,136.22$420.4950,774
Emergency Department (RN / ED)$2,135.78$346.70110,156
Medical Surgical Telemetry (RN / Med Surg Tele)$2,132.76$285.0562,531
Neurology (RN / Neuro)$2,128.52$352.285,590
Intensive Care Unit (RN / ICU)$2,127.99$354.8191,845
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (RN / SICU)$2,126.96$318.062,028
Nephrology (RN / Neph)$2,124.32$613.54257
X-Ray Technician (Allied / X-Ray Tech)$2,117.64$273.541,250
Trauma Intensive Care Unit (RN / TICU)$2,116.10$351.151,565
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / PACU)$2,113.25$356.9621,077
Endoscopy (RN / Endo)$2,112.93$351.458,208
Home Health (RN / HH)$2,110.96$384.7719,133
Gastrointestinal Lab (RN / GI Lab)$2,102.70$307.941,839
Acute Care (RN / Acute)$2,094.81$356.254,121
Certified Surgical First Assistant (Allied / CSFA)$2,093.30$478.172,460
Research / Clinical Research (RN / Research)$2,092.41$443.32140
Progressive Care Unit (RN / PCU)$2,089.00$308.2370,913
Therapeutic Apheresis (RN / Apheresis)$2,086.69$350.7895
Urology (RN / Urology)$2,076.03$330.80202
Stroke / Neuro (RN / Stroke / Neuro)$2,071.18$242.6284
Occupational Health (RN / Occ Health)$2,069.74$374.85270
Telemetry (RN / Tele)$2,068.78$340.9876,944
Dialysis (RN / Dialysis)$2,063.72$311.0810,000
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Allied / LCSW)$2,056.42$420.074,689
Radiology Technician (Allied / Rad Tech)$2,048.02$369.7333,482
Ambulatory Care (RN / Amb)$2,046.91$409.842,054
Neurology Progressive Care Unit (RN / Neuro PCU)$2,044.70$290.391,587
Outpatient Clinic (RN / Outpatient)$2,042.85$416.285,123
Orthopedic (RN / Ortho)$2,040.83$317.446,068
Perioperative (RN / Peri-op)$2,039.76$369.052,504
Medical Surgical (RN / Med Surg)$2,039.24$340.74157,961
Hospice (RN / Hospice)$2,037.77$330.037,306
Special Education Teacher (School Services / Special Ed)$2,035.09$1,210.08570
CVOR Technologist (Allied / CVOR Tech)$2,031.80$345.4613,970
Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (RN / CPCU)$2,026.04$219.23608
Long Term Acute Care (RN / LTAC)$2,021.47$382.9211,821
Psychiatric - Mental Health (RN / Psych)$2,021.20$350.9618,258
Nurse Resident (RN / RN Resident)$2,005.85$102.054
Charge Nurse (RN / Charge)$1,990.47$385.56198
Corrections (RN / Corr)$1,985.03$368.913,291
School Nurse (RN / School Nurse)$1,978.95$335.32158
Physical Therapy (Therapy / PT)$1,972.96$339.02131,907
Speech Language Pathologist (Allied / SLP)$1,966.75$329.8130,735
Respiratory Therapist (Allied / RT)$1,954.51$385.1448,528
Occupational Therapy (Therapy / OT)$1,903.91$324.6342,318
Assistant Director of Nursing (RN / Asst. DON)$1,903.25$538.63237
Obstetric Technician (Allied / OB Tech)$1,899.63$393.51728
Long Term Care (RN / LTC)$1,894.62$348.6220,138
Electroencephalogram Technician (Allied / EEG Tech)$1,890.33$282.67814
Electroencephalogram Technologist (Allied / EEG Technologist)$1,866.58$293.931,309
Recreational Therapist (Therapy / RT)$1,848.65$468.4941
Registered Dietician (Allied / RDCD)$1,846.77$302.72552
Rehabilitation Therapy (Allied / Rehab Therapy)$1,826.92$414.01515
Polysomnographer (Allied / Sleep Tech)$1,825.53$308.271,542
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (Allied / SLPA)$1,823.58$394.78115
Antepartum (Allied / Ante)$1,822.96$496.9471
Skilled Nursing Facility (RN / SNF)$1,810.50$509.029,967
Rehabilitation (RN / Rehab)$1,793.09$436.9815,356
Medical Tech / Medical Laboratory Scientist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Allied / MT / MLS / CLS)$1,772.91$452.2611,310
Operating Room / Surgical Technician (Allied / OR / Surg Tech)$1,758.72$378.6457,493
Histotechnician (Allied / HT)$1,688.76$363.831,227
Emergency Department (LPN / LVN / ED)$1,614.38$335.05167
Long Term Acute Care (LPN / LVN / LTAC)$1,567.82$265.9827
Telehealth (RN / Telehealth)$1,565.83$402.56128
Anesthesia Technician (Allied / Anesthesia Tech)$1,560.53$307.37466
Psychiatric - Mental Health (LPN / LVN / Psych)$1,560.21$261.12390
Paramedic (Allied / Paramedic)$1,557.90$267.38241
Endoscopy Technician (Allied / Endo Tech)$1,552.08$357.21987
Home Health (LPN / LVN / HH)$1,521.52$197.892,621
School Nurse (LPN / LVN / School Nurse)$1,507.40$294.6731
Electrocardiograph Technician (Allied / EKG Tech)$1,499.86$486.20120
Hospice (LPN / LVN / Hospice)$1,498.10$250.96142
Outpatient Clinic (Allied / Outpatient)$1,475.86$211.67101
Telemetry (LPN / LVN / Tele)$1,473.01$287.23167
Corrections (LPN / LVN / Corr)$1,454.34$300.502,787
Long Term Care (LPN / LVN / LTC)$1,443.24$230.7022,817
Psychiatric - Mental Health Technician (Allied / Psych Tech)$1,431.37$595.33106
Outpatient Clinic (LPN / LVN / Outpatient)$1,388.33$482.693,304
Telemetry Monitor Technician (Allied / Tele / Monitor Tech)$1,376.42$353.67513
Physical Therapy Assistant (Therapy / PTA)$1,356.34$249.6127,599
Medical Surgical (LPN / LVN / Med Surg)$1,346.64$264.822,595
Emergency Department Technician (Allied / ED Tech)$1,318.18$315.01152
Dialysis Technician (Allied / Dialysis Tech)$1,308.73$194.07799
Occupational Therapy Assistant (Therapy / OTA)$1,305.39$243.163,623
Pharmacy Technician (Allied / Pharm Tech)$1,303.01$339.88537
( / Rehab)$1,300.37$270.12407
Sterile Processing Technician (Allied / SPT)$1,273.31$255.224,226
LPN / LVN (LPN / LVN / LPN / LVN)$1,245.37$263.1816,753
Clerical (Non-Healthcare / Clerical)$1,210.49$646.7820
Antepartum (RN / Antepartum)$1,196.90$518.421,202
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA / CNA)$1,158.20$343.98167
Phlebotomy (Allied / Phlebotomist)$1,142.50$440.42409
Long Term Care (CNA / LTC)$1,120.69$241.69181
Patient Care Technician (Allied / PCT)$1,069.10$340.65501
Certified Medical Assistant (Allied / CMA)$1,053.78$381.331,130
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
CareNational$2,377.68$313.4199
Vocaday$2,099.88$461.109,866
Nightingale Nurses$2,177.11$368.409,760
Lahey Health$2,548.24$383.6297
Aptiva Healthcare$2,636.15$386.6496
Jackson Therapy Partners$1,850.49$357.959,590
Trusted Resource Associates (TRA)$2,264.79$429.04957
Vibra Travels$2,112.17$287.769,480
Phaxis$2,165.59$306.27943
Trinity Health FirstChoice$2,444.98$399.01916
Custom Healthcare Solutions$2,082.15$387.8691
Novo Connections$2,222.92$868.369
MSSI$2,373.35$404.78899
RKA Recruiting$2,310.74$423.86899
Siemens Healthineers$2,780.49$295.64894
FlexCare Medical Staffing$2,214.91$371.798,886
AB Staffing Solutions$2,230.82$490.58876
Skyline Med Staff$1,913.06$408.258,756
Reliable Nurse Staffing$2,224.36$366.398,734
Medical Talent$2,119.09$448.3385
trustaff$2,117.19$379.878,464
QS Nurses$2,045.44$375.67840
Reliant Staffing Solutions$2,241.66$277.59827
Triage Staffing$2,092.57$668.7582,645
CrossMed$1,988.81$351.918,065
Sunbelt Staffing$2,489.58$359.20800
Arrow Healthcare Staffing and Recruiting$2,038.34$382.447,933
Vighter$2,307.34$334.81788
Supplemental Health Care$1,851.44$468.0678,559
Next Move, Inc.$2,101.71$338.427,836
Open Door Personnel$2,107.13$285.9978
Lifeline Medical Staffing$2,025.74$404.86760
TinkBird Healthcare Staffing$2,327.34$405.99757
RCM Healthcare Services$2,182.73$332.51748
VitalHire$2,178.87$448.93740
Aureus Medical Group$2,143.47$399.8373,860
NuWest Group$2,151.68$440.387,248
Premier Medical Staffing$2,077.44$392.797,161
PS Companies$2,515.08$302.17713
Rock Medical Group$2,320.07$451.40712
Reliable Source Talent$2,723.58$417.527
HumanEdge$2,119.26$395.12687
Cynet Health$2,143.45$437.49665
Favorite Healthcare Staffing$2,214.67$415.53662
Bestica$2,223.00$419.996,575
MARS Solutions Group$2,527.41$436.7365
TLC Nursing$2,098.26$510.606,468
Modern Healthcare Solutions$2,295.73$340.54638
Prime Time Healthcare$2,404.83$356.986,372
NURSES Etc. STAFFING$2,401.11$404.28636
Bluebird Staffing$2,135.38$345.63630
Meda Health$2,234.71$380.436,126
SkyBridge Healthcare$1,892.06$364.886,081
LanceSoft$2,321.56$443.5960,291
Kiwi Healthcare$2,178.14$332.096
Solutions by Sanford$2,530.12$527.276
GQR Healthcare$1,934.54$557.685,838
Specialty Professional Services$2,072.78$383.93578
Tallavera$2,422.94$295.4357
ADEX Medical Staffing - Intl RN's to US$2,250.12$316.79564
Froedtert Health$2,263.35$377.15562
Medasource$2,245.49$325.93541
Health Carousel$2,161.55$392.15535
Raisso Inc.$2,359.59$278.41533
Ethos Medical Staffing$2,090.98$389.855,255
TotalMed$2,093.65$371.3752,391
Host Healthcare$2,335.03$1,158.6152,219
Triage Consulting Group$2,030.81$398.1352
Grady Works$1,939.99$250.9551
Revolution Healthcare Services$2,184.94$464.105,078
Axis Medical Staffing$2,201.39$348.565
Lifeline Healthcare Professionals$2,384.32$275.085
Vital Workforce Solutions$1,909.26$285.205
Infojini Healthcare$2,308.39$561.02497
Genie Healthcare$2,115.95$443.2049,385
Access Healthcare Staffing$2,179.70$415.5746,932
Formation, Inc.$2,246.58$515.67465
Planet Healthcare$2,131.98$433.9246,144
Nurses 24/7$2,558.32$315.19457
United Staffing Solutions$2,298.55$467.96454
Insight Global$2,390.59$543.85453
Alto Healthcare Staffing$2,222.01$542.33444
Fiber Staffing$2,130.91$271.74442
Vastek Inc.$2,289.09$371.494,402
Source Medical Staffing$2,099.79$446.724,308
Lead Health$2,179.35$395.564,288
Providence Health Care Staffing$2,093.31$597.654,230
DT-Trak Consulting$2,693.52$431.56421
GrapeTree Medical Staffing$1,674.22$406.514,154
Greenstaff Medical$2,130.28$457.28412
OneStaff Medical$1,835.92$485.4941,060
WorkSquare$1,896.62$443.2141
Soliant Health$2,458.32$466.24405
Excel Medical Staffing$2,226.60$507.344,024
Gifted Healthcare$2,154.37$368.904,019
ATC Healthcare$2,417.63$1,375.174
American Medical Staffing$1,828.92$476.113,974
Med Ninjas$2,144.66$580.00397
Accountable Healthcare Staffing$2,054.34$320.133,965
Nurses First Solutions$2,096.96$468.213,943
MedPro Healthcare Staffing$2,136.57$375.3138,908
FlexUp Direct$2,086.78$510.743,880
TLC Travel Staff$2,184.26$388.98369
Cure Healthcare Staffing$2,347.73$336.773,666
CoreMedical Group$1,944.63$348.4036,499
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions$2,024.82$338.1736,480
Critical Connection, inc$2,029.58$237.943,630
Cross Country Healthcare$2,074.67$472.5835,985
Guardian HealthStaff, LLC.$2,049.61$318.30352
Pluto Healthcare Staffing$2,173.16$310.04352
Go Healthcare$2,039.90$373.3534,547
Catapult Healthcare$2,275.79$469.263,437
Malone Healthcare Solutions$2,318.74$362.963,399
Centra Healthcare$1,760.74$344.323,339
Health Carousel - Allied Travel$2,024.31$413.733,281
Alliance Medical Staffing$2,105.79$473.14320
Medical Solutions$2,120.46$430.6631,968
SambaCare$2,218.21$464.553,152
American Mobile Healthcare (AMN)$2,297.35$448.503,141
Halcyon Nurse Staffing$2,175.01$409.91311
Stability Healthcare$2,170.12$375.6430,451
Blu Medstaff$1,870.41$356.64302
Aura Staffing Partners$2,520.00$0.003
Ink - A Healthcare Staffing Co.$2,304.89$429.433
Journey Healthcare Solutions$2,100.93$99.973
Lucid Staffing Solutions$2,533.49$524.61299
Nurse Hustle$2,155.34$350.46299
Premier Healthcare Professionals$2,227.62$458.9129,492
eTeam Inc$2,191.66$474.802,937
White Glove Placement$2,494.90$313.27290
ADN Healthcare$2,241.42$371.8228,576
Remede Consulting Group, Inc.$2,271.34$324.932,802
LeaderStat$2,196.40$372.8427,742
Aequor Healthcare$2,094.28$360.5627,601
Summit Medical Staffing$2,132.97$757.2426,893
Thrive Staffing$2,113.74$426.122,599
Refined Medical Staffing$2,181.87$378.392,580
TRS Healthcare$2,087.62$426.9125,417
Excite Health Partners$2,716.88$447.44251
ARM Staffing$2,184.09$389.272,503
Healthcare Staffing - IDR, Inc$2,032.74$451.1724,641
The Judge Group$2,545.42$374.452,454
Voyage Healthcare$2,192.56$331.202,446
GHR Travel Nursing$2,184.76$310.5424,137
Nurse First Travel Agency$2,183.16$340.6823,148
ADEX Healthcare Staffing - US Travel Nursing$2,178.36$387.9823,094
Amare Medical Network$2,168.43$313.1223
AHS Staffing$2,075.63$371.1422,984
Magnet Medical$2,164.66$440.0722,958
PRIDE Health$2,197.01$443.9022,636
Cambay Healthcare$2,329.77$450.87225
Galaxy Healthcare$2,223.40$306.752,227
Ventura MedStaff$2,079.43$367.59220
MedUS Healthcare$2,195.84$344.652,193
Northside Hospital Choice+Local$1,944.36$390.23219
Innovent Global$2,344.74$432.40217
The Good Life MedStaff$2,177.78$445.472,124
Travel Nurse Across America$2,131.73$350.1421,075
Aya Healthcare$2,722.79$803.5821
Trusted Health$2,184.83$606.07209
Becker Health$2,297.92$351.68205
MedWave Healthcare Staffing$2,094.37$550.022,046
Synergy Medical Staffing$1,990.37$480.1520,245
City Mobile Group$2,156.23$399.652,019
Peregrine Team$2,353.08$455.51201
Advantis Medical Staffing$2,017.40$384.0720,043
Atlas MedStaff$1,871.72$388.1320
Destination Travelcare$2,151.23$325.131,997
MedicalPeople Staffing, LLC$2,561.13$424.67199
Mindlance Health$2,264.58$486.65199
ALOIS Healthcare$2,115.46$395.6319,867
Anders Group$2,140.90$406.9919,379
Fastaff Travel Nursing$2,625.53$418.33184
Healthcare Support$2,112.26$389.4818,257
The Stepping Stones Group$1,916.24$326.56179
Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health)$2,098.09$341.2617,801
Professional Nursing Service$2,573.75$309.63175
GetMed Staffing, Inc.$1,795.04$424.0517,491
KPG Healthcare$2,280.70$941.6517,476
Uniti Med$2,045.61$496.1017,461
3D Medical Staffing$2,219.43$394.531,737
IntellaPro Staffing$2,247.22$443.46171
B2B Staffing Services$2,580.07$397.27169
PRN Healthcare$2,142.00$374.1416,242
Spire Workforce Solutions$2,311.92$357.431,620
MAS Medical Staffing$1,988.13$464.281,589
Plains Medical Staffing$2,105.05$432.28158
Marshall Healthcare Staffing$2,115.44$558.461,551
Avani Healthcare Staffing$1,997.49$383.701,534
Solomon Page$2,207.00$420.7715,180
CT Assist$2,607.57$972.0915
LRS Healthcare$2,158.37$356.9114,930
Delta Healthcare Providers$1,925.63$213.66148
Connected Health Care$2,216.75$456.721,472
American Traveler$2,185.20$348.0114,712
Fusion Medical Staffing$2,046.49$498.6613,979
RightPro Staffing$2,185.92$402.021,392
RTG Medical$1,990.47$412.2213,903
iDeal Personnel$2,126.49$402.261,365
TheraEX Staffing Services$2,169.43$526.791,344
Consolidated Medical Travel$2,590.09$440.781,339
Marvel Medical Staffing$1,924.52$373.5013,387
Coast Medical Service$2,158.93$369.8313,145
Focus Staff$2,114.19$416.5813,104
Jackson Nurse Professionals$2,108.65$401.7212,964
CareTeam Solutions$2,087.06$344.6712,745
Medmasa$3,032.43$773.18127
Nationwide Therapy Group$1,744.96$537.1412,305
Assured Nursing$2,019.71$429.8212,074
Health Advocates Network$2,240.26$391.9011,890
SojouRN$2,380.83$568.67118
GLC On-The-Go$1,904.11$415.6111,663
Sharp Medical Staffinglife$2,111.95$417.3011,591
Wellspring Nurse Source$2,201.62$383.6211,535
Firstat Medical Staffing$2,278.03$505.471,137
Care Partners Staffing$2,160.23$325.18112
Health Specialists, Inc.$2,129.24$281.441,112
Travel Nurses Inc.$2,052.29$406.0411,115
Springboard Healthcare$2,381.74$345.1811,002
KingFish Healthcare$2,032.44$369.82110
Onyx Health Care Staffing$2,267.67$393.4211
RNnetwork$2,021.53$614.9110,992
AMN Healthcare Allied$2,008.88$461.2810,938
Zack Group$2,079.74$527.9710,904
Pulse Healthcare Services$2,285.44$540.561,089
Ardor Health Solutions$2,035.53$385.4610,753
Seven Healthcare$2,318.37$429.111,071
National Staffing$1,893.12$406.151,061
TactStaff$2,184.36$344.6710,516
Prime HealthCare Staffing$1,991.92$365.5510,491
Beyond Medical Staffing$1,989.40$379.291,049
Millbrook$2,589.97$360.41104
Titan Medical Group$2,198.59$391.8510,245
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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