Want to see how your travel nurse salary stacks up in this unpredictable travel nurse job market?

How about making sure you're getting the higher compensation you should be in our challenging career?

You're in the right place to get all your questions answered about travel nurse pay.

Welcome to our interactive pay explorer - with updates every month!

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

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

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

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

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

Your potential average annual income will depend on demand for your nursing specialty and where you work.

The averages you see below are measured across all specialties and locations nationwide for a general comparison.

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

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

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

Average Travel Nurse Salary

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

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

Average Travel Nurse Salary vs Staff Nurse Salary

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

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

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

Why Do Travel Nurses Make So Much?

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

In short, high demand = higher compensation.

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

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

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

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

We travel nurses earn our more competitive wages by having the adaptable skills necessary to fill critical staffing needs and provide meaningful patient care in a pinch with minimal to zero orientation and staffing support.

These critical needs are often on less desirable shifts, so preparing yourself to work night shift would open up more travel nurse job possibilities.

Healthcare facilities entice nurses with more competitive wages due to the extra hardships we take on with the lack of job stability while searching for new jobs every 13 weeks. There's also the lack of a consistent job benefits package and the inconveniences of travel costs and time.

Is Travel Nursing Worth It?

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

There's good news!

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

It turns out it really is better to be a travel nurse than a staff nurse. A sweeping study analyzing feedback straight from our fellow nurses confirms it.

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

Nurses working in travel nurse jobs are more satisfied than permanent staff nurses in key areas:

  • Better job satisfaction
  • Less work-related stress
  • Feeling safer on the job
  • More employer support
  • Higher compensation

Working in a travel nurse job isn't easy, but it could elevate your bedside nursing practice and give you more control in your nursing career.

You'll have to decide if the pros outweigh the cons for yourself. The standard contract is only 13 weeks, so I recommend every nurse give it a try.

Pro tip: You should definitely take the time to research what to expect before you commit to a travel nurse job.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

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

Travel nurses get paid weekly and make higher wages on average as contracted temporary employees of travel nursing agencies, and work in a variety of healthcare facilities.

The most common travel nurse contracts offered are for hospital inpatient units in a healthcare facility. These contracts usually commit you to work:

  • 12 hours/shift
  • 3 shifts/week
  • 36 hours/week
  • 13 weeks total
  • 468 work hours total per contract

Our interactive pay explorer above standardizes all travel nurse wage data around the average 36-hour weekly pay packages.

Travel Nurse Pay Package Breakdown Example

Here's an average travel nurse pay package offer for a Medical-Surgical Nurse working 36 hours/week:

  • $400 M&IE (Meals & Incidental Expenses) - per Week
  • $3,200 Housing Stipend - per Month
  • $780 Travel Reimbursement - One Time payment
  • $30 Base Rate - Hourly pay rate

It's confusing! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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

Let's break this offer down to view your pay per week and per hour. Convert all parts of your travel nurse wages to a standardized hourly rate, then combine to calculate.

Your "M&IE" (meals & incidental expenses) payment is meant to cover your living expenses and daily (diem) meal costs on assignment.

Your housing stipend covers your temporary housing in your assignment location. Remember you should be maintaining housing in your permanent tax home, as well.

Many travel nursing offer travel reimbursements to help offset the higher cost of life on the road.

How does a Travel Nurse Pay Package breakdown?

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

Be aware you may have more living expenses coming out of your travel nursing paycheck, based on what employment benefits package you accept:

  • Taxes based on your permanent tax home rates
  • Agency health insurance - health benefits can start at $20/week
  • Agency 401k retirement plans

Ask your agency what other benefits they provide and how those affect your pay package.

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

What's your Travel Nurse "Blended Rate"?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Taxable vs Tax Free Pay

Following on from our pay example above, your travel nurse pay is made up of a taxable hourly wage and tax free income.

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

Notice that more than half of this pay package is tax free pay. Ka-ching!

Your tax free stipends, or "Per Diem" pay, are based on daily maximum rates set by the government.  Check gsa.gov's Per Diem rates for your next contract location.

Travel nurses are eligible for Per Diem tax free stipends when working away from your permanent tax home. When receiving tax free pay you MUST duplicate living/housing expenses, required per IRS rules.

This means paying fair market prices for both your accommodation at your travel nursing assignment, AND maintaining your own housing at your permanent tax home.

Many agencies also offer travel reimbursements to help you get money back you spent on travel expenses moving between assignments.

Pro tip: You can still "travel nurse" while living in your own housing at your permanent tax home. The difference is your income will be fully taxed, and you won't be eligible for the the tax free travel nursing pay.

Highest Paying States for Travel Nurses

Which states are really worth the higher cost license fees? Our map shows the highest paying states for travel nurses over the past 12 months.

To view the highest paying states averages since September 2019, use the toggle in the right-hand corner of any of our graphs.

These averages would include crisis rate market fluctuations.

Last 12 months 

Map Chart: Top Paying Travel Nursing States

Highest paying states for travel nurses. Standardized to 36/hour week contracts to compare data accurately.

For more specific travel nurse salary by state, see our table below with detailed pay trends and job availability.

We've included the standard deviation. This shows you how 68% of pay offers spread above and below the average travel RN rates. Picture a bell curve.

For example, 68% of California travel nurse salaries are $2,537.01 +/- $681.08 = pay range of $1,855.93 - $3,218.09.

The 'job count' column gives you a snapshot of each state's job availability.

Highest Paying States for Travel Nurses

Last 12 months 
State Average Weekly Pay Weekly Pay St. Deviation# Jobs Observed
Alaska$2,465.91$518.879,879
California$2,410.56$501.96108,065
New York$2,360.28$436.9682,057
Vermont$2,356.20$582.2318,229
Massachusetts$2,348.90$470.1466,389
North Dakota$2,314.59$462.0215,802
Wisconsin$2,302.56$647.3353,492
Connecticut$2,293.82$483.5813,974
South Dakota$2,259.96$492.2215,265
Rhode Island$2,257.77$468.214,153
Oregon$2,248.66$440.3427,311
Illinois$2,247.74$431.7156,800
Nebraska$2,235.74$384.5019,851
New Hampshire$2,235.17$454.4527,137
New Jersey$2,232.15$453.9726,333
Washington$2,222.72$408.5846,933
Minnesota$2,218.99$532.2618,338
Utah$2,203.43$399.413,585
West Virginia$2,202.08$393.1619,500
Hawaii$2,194.23$421.6513,173
Arizona$2,184.56$372.5940,615
Idaho$2,179.12$403.598,246
District Of Columbia$2,178.32$385.575,771
Montana$2,175.10$405.1117,130
Iowa$2,163.81$387.1638,557
Nevada$2,163.49$404.036,604
Pennsylvania$2,161.34$429.6441,021
Wyoming$2,156.58$389.917,022
Colorado$2,151.92$433.7637,039
Ohio$2,145.91$401.3250,437
Maine$2,140.87$420.9819,482
Delaware$2,135.80$470.513,492
Michigan$2,113.87$440.0733,323
Kentucky$2,112.12$346.8121,276
Virginia$2,110.63$378.9049,665
Oklahoma$2,101.63$345.1023,258
Indiana$2,093.06$378.4932,680
Missouri$2,076.15$339.0935,231
Maryland$2,051.52$388.4427,939
Kansas$2,042.57$406.8222,318
Louisiana$2,012.32$364.9312,264
Arkansas$1,998.27$388.278,766
South Carolina$1,968.85$351.6227,065
North Carolina$1,965.43$339.9671,772
Tennessee$1,952.94$329.0225,308
Georgia$1,938.97$362.2361,570
New Mexico$1,921.66$435.2126,642
Florida$1,917.53$341.9245,484
Texas$1,910.26$381.1275,726
Mississippi$1,878.92$350.116,962
Alabama$1,847.48$298.3416,413
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 Medical Assistant (Allied / CMA)$977.12$256.16555
Physicist (Non-Healthcare / Phys)$5,442.75$1,130.35315
Cardiovascular / Cardiothoracic Surgery (PA / CV / CT Surg)$5,330.42$414.243
Perfusionist (Allied / Perf)$5,183.60$1,054.91431
Emergency Medicine (PA / ED)$3,981.60$261.893
Psychologist (Allied / CP)$3,200.62$1,200.2653
Dosimetrist (Allied / Dosimetrist)$3,024.32$469.80175
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP / FNP)$2,826.15$721.905
Audiologist (Allied / Aud)$2,822.33$734.82197
Assistant Nurse Manager (RN / Asst RN Mgr)$2,808.31$515.127
Assistant Director of Nursing (RN / Asst. DON)$2,797.14$793.8079
Doctor of Pharmacy (Allied / PharmD)$2,741.33$514.744,444
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RN / RNFA)$2,732.86$724.611,740
Pathology Assistant (Allied / Path Asst)$2,684.16$566.74492
Interventional Radiology Technologist (Allied / IR Tech)$2,664.15$418.0518,367
Nurse Manager (RN / RN Mgr)$2,652.64$684.442,423
Patient Care Coordinator (RN / PCC)$2,604.30$431.1455
Administrative (RN / Admin)$2,599.68$557.81192
Cardiovascular Cath Lab Technologist (Allied / Cardiac Cath Lab Tech)$2,593.01$409.0034,569
Special Procedures Technologist (Allied / Special Procedures Tech)$2,590.13$437.65636
Director of Nursing (RN / DON)$2,569.29$658.79865
House Supervisor (Supervisor / House Sup)$2,560.49$495.621,469
Nurse Educator (RN / Education)$2,542.66$833.53373
Electrophysiology Lab Technician (Allied / EP Lab Tech)$2,541.20$382.893,780
Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / Peds CVICU)$2,530.30$366.10691
Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / CVOR)$2,525.83$450.9815,726
Interventional Radiology (RN / IR)$2,511.54$409.799,174
Cardiac Cath Lab (RN / Cath Lab)$2,507.57$377.4529,884
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Allied / CNMT)$2,507.15$403.8311,457
Critical Care Flight / Transport Nurse (RN / Flight)$2,506.96$233.5239
Electrophysiology Lab (RN / EP Lab)$2,500.30$378.302,479
Computed Tomography Technologist (Allied / CT Tech)$2,468.25$409.1987,352
Radiotherapist (Allied / Radiotherapy)$2,467.10$437.749,190
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (RN / PICU)$2,467.03$486.638,452
Special Procedures (RN / Special Procedures)$2,460.16$307.7688
Radiology (RN / Radiology)$2,455.66$317.431,765
Diagnostic Radiologist (Allied / Radiologist)$2,449.19$317.24280
Infection Control (RN / Infection)$2,438.96$646.14332
Pediatric Operating Room (RN / Peds OR)$2,435.98$368.941,125
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (School Services / BCBA)$2,433.02$570.06203
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist (RN / CDI)$2,431.92$241.3958
Visual Impairments Teacher (School Services / School)$2,431.91$1,784.5724
MRI Technologist (Allied / MRI Technologist)$2,426.88$397.1929,669
Mammography Tech (Allied / Mammo Tech)$2,416.97$398.359,599
Pediatric Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / Peds CVOR)$2,410.99$320.7064
Labor & Delivery (RN / L&D)$2,410.04$431.6561,270
MRI Technician (Allied / MRI Tech)$2,387.03$354.0910,743
Echocardiograph Technologist (Allied / Echo Technologist)$2,374.66$331.204,823
Pediatric Oncology (RN / Peds Onc)$2,364.27$854.9252
Echo-Vascular Technician (Allied / Echo/Vasc Tech)$2,355.31$617.891,589
Admissions (RN / ADM)$2,348.44$266.3727
Wound Care (RN / Wound)$2,344.91$428.502,162
Same Day Surgery (RN / SDS)$2,343.60$253.205
Utilization Review (RN / UR)$2,327.98$447.21338
Vascular Access Nurse (RN / PICC RN)$2,314.98$436.08232
Pediatric Hematology - Oncology (RN / Peds Heme/Onc)$2,307.86$337.11372
Cytotechnologist (Allied / Cyto)$2,306.39$402.53550
Nurse Navigator (RN / RN Navigator)$2,305.12$342.9845
Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / Peds PACU)$2,299.57$435.14312
Surgical Oncology (RN / Surg Onc)$2,295.47$256.12115
Echocardiograph Technician (Allied / Echo Tech)$2,294.93$333.245,083
Therapeutic Apheresis (RN / Apheresis)$2,290.17$367.8477
Pediatric Progressive Care Unit (RN / Peds PCU)$2,289.20$256.19367
Case Management (RN / CM)$2,287.07$447.579,261
OB/GYN (RN / OB/GYN)$2,286.30$416.253,488
Charge Nurse (RN / Charge)$2,282.25$470.10138
Vascular Technologist (Allied / RVT)$2,276.13$388.602,315
School Psychologist, Certified (School Services / NCSP)$2,275.78$514.48468
Pediatric Emergency Department (RN / Peds ED)$2,274.27$422.071,500
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / CVICU)$2,273.16$391.8716,246
Ultrasound Technologist (Allied / US Technologist)$2,272.79$371.9320,727
Cardiology (RN / Cardio)$2,265.98$366.46942
Clinical Nurse Coordinator (RN / CNC)$2,257.75$416.06119
Coronary Care Unit (RN / CCU)$2,255.81$311.922,952
Float Pool (RN / Float)$2,253.89$309.831,237
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RN / NICU)$2,251.56$398.3615,765
Operating Room (RN / OR)$2,250.18$395.5060,694
Obstetric Ultrasound - Sonographer (Allied / OB/GYN US)$2,249.28$503.58166
Urgent Care (RN / Urgent Care)$2,245.66$427.01228
Hematology (RN / Heme)$2,234.20$286.6589
Infusion Therapy (RN / Infusion)$2,231.62$347.952,210
Pediatrics (RN / Peds)$2,227.33$363.426,378
Ultrasound-Sonography Technician (Allied / US/Sono Tech)$2,225.71$332.756,345
Nephrology (RN / Neph)$2,221.43$771.63163
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (RN / CTICU)$2,213.13$298.83549
Orthopedic Neurology (RN / Ortho / Neuro)$2,211.09$290.5737
Neurology Intensive Care Unit (RN / Neuro ICU)$2,207.67$289.152,904
Transplant (RN / Transplant)$2,205.81$515.09224
Lactation (RN / Lactation)$2,197.23$271.3432
Direct Observation Unit (RN / DOU)$2,195.05$307.25913
Burn Intensive Care Unit (RN / BICU)$2,192.60$420.60359
Ambulatory Care (RN / Amb)$2,189.65$370.911,245
Bone Marrow Transplant (RN / BMT)$2,189.35$270.94682
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (RN / SICU)$2,185.38$366.781,182
Pain Management (RN / Pain Mgt)$2,174.33$392.9054
Step Down Unit (RN / SDU)$2,173.05$267.7211,884
Hematology / Oncology (RN / Heme / Onc)$2,165.59$321.331,123
Intensive Care Unit (RN / ICU)$2,159.24$356.0669,878
Hospice (RN / Hospice)$2,145.76$398.155,257
Endoscopy (RN / Endo)$2,143.90$381.146,351
Radiology Technologist (Allied / X-Ray Technologist)$2,142.93$396.7334,687
Emergency Department (RN / ED)$2,140.24$340.4591,787
Oncology (RN / Onc)$2,138.50$334.7814,003
Neurology (RN / Neuro)$2,137.65$354.153,769
Postpartum (RN / PP)$2,136.36$428.334,714
Gastrointestinal Lab (RN / GI Lab)$2,133.69$334.161,181
Postoperative (RN / Post-op)$2,128.25$347.9250
Certified Surgical First Assistant (Allied / CSFA)$2,125.92$338.362,395
Public Health (RN / Pub Hlth)$2,124.52$203.164
Dialysis (RN / Dialysis)$2,122.48$294.577,257
Acute Care (RN / Acute)$2,121.83$360.093,023
Cardiac Stepdown Unit (RN / CSDU)$2,121.21$293.643,645
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / PACU)$2,116.30$365.2720,277
Research / Clinical Research (RN / Research)$2,114.67$469.9776
X-Ray Technician (Allied / X-Ray Tech)$2,111.72$258.191,449
Home Health (RN / HH)$2,106.63$369.1518,676
Progressive Care Unit (RN / PCU)$2,106.49$320.7146,290
Radiology Technician (Allied / Rad Tech)$2,099.32$436.4716,913
Trauma Intensive Care Unit (RN / TICU)$2,096.19$342.831,028
Medical Surgical Telemetry (RN / Med Surg Tele)$2,095.64$290.1160,814
Telemetry (RN / Tele)$2,092.86$338.1847,337
Outpatient Clinic (RN / Outpatient)$2,085.91$347.724,104
CVOR Technologist (Allied / CVOR Tech)$2,066.63$363.3910,368
Occupational Health (RN / Occ Health)$2,049.53$290.82186
Home Health (Allied / HH)$2,047.04$382.678
Physical Therapy (Therapy / PT)$2,044.67$322.77121,643
Psychiatric - Mental Health (RN / Psych)$2,044.36$336.1714,636
Perioperative (RN / Peri-op)$2,042.96$386.431,557
Medical Surgical (RN / Med Surg)$2,042.21$350.8091,078
Respiratory Therapist (Allied / RT)$2,039.56$373.8740,629
Long Term Acute Care (RN / LTAC)$2,027.58$340.3410,792
Orthopedic (RN / Ortho)$2,026.61$292.492,897
Neurology Progressive Care Unit (RN / Neuro PCU)$2,019.30$299.261,016
Urology (RN / Urology)$2,017.45$333.94196
Speech Language Pathologist (Allied / SLP)$2,015.33$317.7131,761
Telehealth (RN / Telehealth)$2,015.02$273.00117
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RN / CRNA)$2,000.09$2,005.59126
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Allied / LCSW)$1,989.34$458.083,202
Occupational Therapy (Therapy / OT)$1,976.05$323.4143,300
Corrections (RN / Corr)$1,975.31$314.803,997
Rehabilitation (RN / Rehab)$1,961.82$346.2810,110
Stroke / Neuro (RN / Stroke / Neuro)$1,953.87$312.7682
Recreational Therapist (Therapy / RT)$1,943.36$278.7498
Skilled Nursing Facility (RN / SNF)$1,938.49$431.165,953
Obstetric Technician (Allied / OB Tech)$1,936.44$414.67574
Registered Dietician (Allied / RDCD)$1,922.18$235.61861
Clerical (Non-Healthcare / Clerical)$1,904.45$924.9210
Polysomnographer (Allied / Sleep Tech)$1,896.58$292.881,500
Rehabilitation Therapy (Allied / Rehab Therapy)$1,895.23$381.691,299
Long Term Care (RN / LTC)$1,887.28$332.5717,595
Special Education Teacher (School Services / Special Ed)$1,877.51$672.321,023
School Nurse (RN / School Nurse)$1,871.90$336.81183
Electroencephalogram Technologist (Allied / EEG Technologist)$1,853.16$276.61993
Electroencephalogram Technician (Allied / EEG Tech)$1,849.12$273.58725
Emergency Department (LPN / LVN / ED)$1,819.96$565.9854
Medical Tech / Medical Laboratory Scientist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Allied / MT / MLS / CLS)$1,790.29$472.868,978
Psychiatry - Mental Health (NP / Psych)$1,788.64$205.073
Operating Room / Surgical Technician (Allied / OR / Surg Tech)$1,782.41$374.0629,836
Outpatient Clinic (Allied / Outpatient)$1,775.56$461.5015
Antepartum (RN / Antepartum)$1,770.77$631.88242
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (Allied / SLPA)$1,750.63$299.98348
Paramedic (Allied / Paramedic)$1,710.04$355.17253
Histotechnician (Allied / HT)$1,653.78$299.12377
School Nurse (LPN / LVN / School Nurse)$1,596.05$261.1753
Hospice (LPN / LVN / Hospice)$1,588.35$287.64129
Endoscopy Technician (Allied / Endo Tech)$1,568.31$317.731,045
Psychiatric - Mental Health (LPN / LVN / Psych)$1,561.76$238.19285
Vaccinations (RN / Vax)$1,557.30$61.604
Emergency Department Technician (Allied / ED Tech)$1,547.66$434.9694
Home Health (LPN / LVN / HH)$1,540.37$195.081,733
Telemetry (LPN / LVN / Tele)$1,536.77$371.8155
Long Term Acute Care (LPN / LVN / LTAC)$1,521.86$180.726
Anesthesia Technician (Allied / Anesthesia Tech)$1,472.20$282.71543
Long Term Care (LPN / LVN / LTC)$1,463.06$236.1816,926
Electrocardiograph Technician (Allied / EKG Tech)$1,451.17$436.22123
Corrections (LPN / LVN / Corr)$1,446.58$234.972,460
Outpatient Clinic (LPN / LVN / Outpatient)$1,415.20$345.882,484
Medical Surgical (LPN / LVN / Med Surg)$1,391.97$261.881,096
Physical Therapy Assistant (Therapy / PTA)$1,391.71$224.8028,344
Occupational Therapy Assistant (Therapy / OTA)$1,389.98$260.932,229
Pharmacy Technician (Allied / Pharm Tech)$1,386.99$460.85557
Telemetry Monitor Technician (Allied / Tele / Monitor Tech)$1,378.20$368.37476
( / Rehab)$1,349.46$274.16167
LPN / LVN (LPN / LVN / LPN / LVN)$1,344.81$280.897,708
Medical Surgical (CNA / Med Surg)$1,285.74$332.2634
Sterile Processing Technician (Allied / SPT)$1,255.50$258.763,676
Dialysis Technician (Allied / Dialysis Tech)$1,248.85$190.86756
Long Term Care (CNA / LTC)$1,131.20$211.7493
Phlebotomy (Allied / Phlebotomist)$1,112.85$319.58473
Psychiatric - Mental Health Technician (Allied / Psych Tech)$1,078.24$265.5051
Patient Care Technician (Allied / PCT)$1,032.69$252.79372
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA / CNA)$1,014.85$274.11122
Table: Travel Nurse Specialties

We removed specialties with very low job counts and supervisory roles. This keeps our data relevant to the travel nursing specialties with high pay AND regular job availability.

For a different view, we've got an interactive bubble chart displaying the highest paying travel nurse specialties by their job availability. Hover over the bubbles to identify the specialties.

Last 12 months 
Chart: Travel Nurse Specialties Bubble Chart

Not all nursing specialties have a regular high need for travel nurses. For example, RN's in Electrophysiology Lab (EP Lab) regularly have higher pay offerings, but don't have the plentiful job options that ICU or L&D nurses have.

Pro tip: If you aspire to work consistently as a travel nurse, gain experience in a specialty with higher job availability.

I repeat: Higher demand = Higher compensation.

How To Find the Highest Paying Travel Nursing Jobs

How can you cut through the lowball offers to find and land the best paying travel nurse salaries? We started StellarNurse to help you.

After analyzing the market for 4+ years, here's our best advice:

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

In a nutshell, stay flexible. The best offers are competitive and often need help fast. Be ready to adjust plans quickly, coordinate with a new agency or arrange travel to an unexpected location.

Bonus tip: If you like your agency, tell fellow travel nurses. Make an easy $500-$1,000. Every agency offers referral bonuses if a nurse you referred works with them too.

How To Find The Best Paying Travel Nurse Agencies

With more than 500 agencies posting travel nursing jobs daily it’s overwhelming to find which ones might be the best travel nurse companies for you.

After analyzing 4 million jobs over the past 4 years, we’ve organized our data to help you make informed decisions on which agencies to prioritize contacting first.

Find the best paying travel nurse agencies for your specialty and preferred locations. Use the filters to see which agencies have the most jobs available.

Last 12 months 
Agency Average Weekly Pay Weekly Pay St. Deviation# Jobs Observed
Fastaff Travel Nursing$2,283.36$389.51989
Nurse First Travel Agency$2,222.61$353.889,856
The Stepping Stones Group$1,917.74$285.4798
Prime HealthCare Staffing$2,074.18$329.669,581
Focus Staff$2,149.18$411.199,505
United Staffing Solutions$2,358.41$453.46944
Springboard Healthcare$2,470.51$356.469,079
Pulse Healthcare Services$2,627.36$386.05902
Jackson Therapy Partners$1,852.67$355.759,002
Trinity Health FirstChoice$2,514.78$363.79900
GQR Healthcare$1,994.78$523.298,915
Halcyon Nurse Staffing$2,623.29$628.7889
Medical Talent$2,268.73$378.14883
Jackson Nurse Professionals$2,117.04$408.358,594
Avani Healthcare Staffing$2,094.50$371.18859
MSSI$2,461.62$391.89855
DT-Trak Consulting$2,740.94$534.6985
Vibra Travels$2,100.26$347.198,442
Trusted Resource Associates (TRA)$2,370.23$418.29838
Specialty Professional Services$1,966.93$442.92836
MedUS Healthcare$2,242.86$348.20821
Prime Time Healthcare$2,403.29$393.808,186
CareTeam Solutions$2,150.86$366.398,091
Becker Health$2,315.02$269.628
Destination Travelcare$2,280.58$351.63798
Ethos Medical Staffing$2,152.63$377.297,914
Sunbelt Staffing$2,493.40$399.56788
Nomad Health$2,183.39$367.677,729
SojouRN$2,284.00$492.0677
Health Carousel$2,165.65$321.96763
Bestica$2,250.61$419.157,603
Formation, Inc.$3,144.58$546.3476
SkyBridge Healthcare$1,833.48$344.237,293
Ardor Health Solutions$1,953.74$358.317,047
Novo Connections$1,835.23$469.677
RKA Recruiting$2,376.21$380.25695
eTeam Inc$2,186.33$570.43684
MAS Medical Staffing$1,984.88$377.43683
Advantis Medical Staffing$2,078.18$356.646,772
Skyline Med Staff$1,880.83$447.366,755
NuWest Group$2,006.66$389.366,721
LanceSoft$2,381.87$490.9866,934
Meda Health$2,246.04$399.036,640
NURSES Etc. STAFFING$2,327.49$339.98658
Supplemental Health Care$1,928.38$417.8465,075
AB Staffing Solutions$2,377.85$536.78649
Thrive Staffing$2,193.50$373.88641
Critical Connection, inc$1,992.33$322.776,300
Nightingale Nurses$2,133.60$401.926,268
Health Advocates Network$2,183.33$406.546,174
Triage Staffing$2,111.40$746.1159,119
Pluto Healthcare Staffing$2,175.91$298.14583
Grady Works$1,809.40$251.0056
OneStaff Medical$2,045.23$533.895,576
Siemens Healthineers$2,775.43$340.06548
Healthcare Staffing 24/7$2,237.64$342.805,353
MedPro Healthcare Staffing$2,161.28$370.3252,693
Reliant Staffing Solutions$2,336.07$342.23521
Reliable Nurse Staffing$2,238.71$379.905,200
TLC Nursing$2,091.27$398.865,122
Seven Healthcare$2,175.83$536.205,031
Zack Group$2,059.24$553.114,951
The Judge Group$2,413.54$453.264,903
MARS Solutions Group$2,486.02$497.5849
Consolidated Medical Travel$2,556.03$405.83483
Genie Healthcare$2,144.22$406.3046,970
Medasource$2,203.74$420.20461
Modern Healthcare Solutions$2,410.56$343.73458
PS Companies$2,466.37$279.65451
The Good Life MedStaff$2,161.69$386.844,461
Premier Healthcare Professionals$2,262.75$426.744,369
trustaff$2,153.34$384.6942,829
Host Healthcare$2,363.82$1,063.8441,126
HumanEdge$2,155.31$418.614,078
Tallavera$2,099.22$596.504
Connected Health Care$2,141.33$409.803,979
Summit Medical Staffing$2,159.86$563.073,947
Favorite Healthcare Staffing$2,440.56$476.26386
ARM Staffing$2,221.86$367.363,846
TNAA and TotalMed$2,126.02$369.6537,567
MedWave Healthcare Staffing$2,177.40$518.073,719
MedicalPeople Staffing, LLC$2,818.90$419.6537
American Medical Staffing$1,783.43$412.903,601
FlexUp Direct$2,133.31$456.59359
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions$2,068.06$332.6735,851
Alto Healthcare Staffing$2,170.97$420.91355
Nurses 24/7$2,590.28$318.57352
ICONMA$2,446.75$374.80342
TactStaff$2,319.86$379.06339
Raisso Inc.$2,352.79$359.40336
Cross Country Healthcare$2,160.88$460.0933,574
Junxion Med Staffing$2,096.31$397.943,356
Marshall Healthcare Staffing$2,252.52$496.74333
Blu Medstaff$1,932.01$435.55332
SambaCare$2,117.56$497.473,263
ProMed Staffing Resources$2,483.18$481.77306
Travel Nurses Inc.$2,094.29$362.3730,201
Custom Healthcare Solutions$2,194.32$381.2630
Scout Nurse Staffing$2,201.41$559.0130
VitalHire$2,265.84$467.83299
Stability Healthcare$2,255.06$391.4429,681
FlexCare Medical Staffing$2,347.82$335.472,941
Premier Medical Staffing$2,161.35$318.7029,317
Aptiva Healthcare$2,642.58$625.86277
CoreMedical Group$1,882.94$417.7127,587
Vastek Inc.$2,227.47$320.38272
AHS Staffing$2,097.60$388.4527,190
Health Carousel - Allied Travel$2,054.67$387.952,708
Lucid Staffing Solutions$2,223.04$572.842,705
Centra Healthcare$1,780.54$361.272,694
Excite Health Partners$2,522.21$468.27266
GHR Travel Nursing$2,224.94$358.8425,901
White Glove Placement$2,373.96$600.44256
TRS Healthcare$2,160.65$418.4624,841
LeaderStat$2,275.12$355.7024,553
Solomon Page$2,300.36$428.1724,553
Innovent Global$2,463.21$797.90245
Assured Nursing$2,101.85$441.5924,041
GetMed Staffing, Inc.$1,829.12$380.8523,654
Marvel Medical Staffing$2,101.65$346.78230
Northside Hospital Choice+Local$1,689.70$367.2423
American Mobile Healthcare (AMN)$2,205.65$431.622,276
Concentric Healthcare Staffing$2,134.73$399.812,242
Infojini Healthcare$2,394.35$491.31217
GrapeTree Medical Staffing$1,881.59$417.732,139
Excel Medical Staffing$2,406.13$383.772,111
Cure Healthcare Staffing$2,417.10$384.652,089
Source Medical Staffing$2,204.01$492.412,089
RCM Healthcare Services$1,828.21$311.81206
Nurses First Solutions$1,976.68$434.852,054
GLC On-The-Go$2,003.62$418.8020,416
Gifted Healthcare$2,159.36$304.151,994
Froedtert Health$2,280.99$354.39198
Next Move, Inc.$2,113.54$325.171,972
Alliance Medical Staffing$1,969.10$534.95193
Bluebird Staffing$2,060.77$511.35193
TheraEX Staffing Services$2,412.85$717.581,923
Healthcare Staffing - IDR, Inc$2,197.04$407.9919,139
Medmasa$3,225.11$449.6819
Go Healthcare$2,060.47$355.9718,563
Access Healthcare Staffing$2,240.33$419.8518,540
Malone Healthcare Solutions$2,296.45$328.2918,532
ALOIS Healthcare$2,163.70$372.0718,493
Fiber Staffing$2,180.96$218.90182
Soliant Health$2,562.50$621.75182
Uniti Med$2,045.16$571.3818,136
Medical Solutions$2,139.31$435.5018,123
Insight Global$2,289.74$556.00181
Catapult Healthcare$2,301.87$543.60175
PRIDE Health$2,227.11$432.4917,425
Healthcare Support$2,082.34$383.1617,238
Revolution Healthcare Services$2,190.45$409.631,721
Coast Medical Service$2,227.90$353.3717,113
Aequor Healthcare$2,115.21$369.1716,923
Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health)$2,258.13$379.7816,809
Wellspring Nurse Source$2,257.93$391.3416,789
AMN Healthcare Allied$1,992.20$453.6216,760
Voca Healthcare$2,271.37$403.2416,645
Phaxis$2,127.89$372.44164
Voyage Healthcare$2,269.73$292.981,580
Nationwide Therapy Group$1,889.60$499.9815,784
Amare Medical Network$2,143.96$388.311,553
Titan Medical Group$2,218.38$449.361,550
CareNational$2,393.88$345.51151
Spire Workforce Solutions$2,197.25$388.251,486
CrossMed$2,024.51$366.7314,659
LRS Healthcare$2,151.82$336.1014,524
Arrow Healthcare Staffing and Recruiting$2,103.86$394.021,381
ADN Healthcare$2,245.23$369.1013,472
Planet Healthcare$2,185.37$457.8913,381
Synergy Medical Staffing$1,951.69$498.2713,287
Remede Consulting Group, Inc.$2,375.50$423.471,320
Lifeline Medical Staffing$1,999.97$378.131,296
B2B Staffing Services$2,221.94$619.001,263
RightPro Staffing$2,295.36$353.54121
Fusion Medical Staffing$2,373.63$1,074.4112,090
CT Assist$3,329.33$305.9412
Refined Medical Staffing$2,208.76$375.401,199
American Traveler$2,266.60$351.9611,827
Anders Group$2,181.63$460.9911,345
Millbrook$2,685.18$405.70113
Magnet Medical$2,214.91$421.9811,128
iDeal Personnel$2,312.08$462.291,099
Galaxy Healthcare$2,256.65$375.231,094
PRN Healthcare$2,261.67$386.0010,847
KPG Healthcare$2,183.23$465.2110,788
ADEX Healthcare Staffing - US Travel Nursing$2,257.74$359.5310,551
Upstate Works$2,069.67$499.18104
Lahey Health$2,282.88$634.8310
Table: Top Travel Nursing Agencies with Pay Transparency

Refer back to our interactive pay explorer for in-depth pay trends on the best travel nursing agencies for your specialty and locations.

StellarNurse answers three important questions you should consider in your travel nurse agency choices.

Which travel nurse agencies have:

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

More questions you should consider when choosing a travel nurse agency are:

  • What sets this agency apart?
  • What agency resources are available if you have issues?
  • How helpful is this agency?

Furthermore, find unbiased reviews to guide your choices.

Since I prefer to read reviews directly from my fellow nurses, here's where I look:

Bonus tip: You can message recruiters AND block spam here at StellarNurse.

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

Our Data Sources

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

Thanks for Reading 🤗

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stick around! Next you should check out:

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