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$2,448.87$532.8610,270
California$2,397.35$502.47117,232
Vermont$2,370.71$586.3420,467
New York$2,340.42$434.2390,901
Massachusetts$2,338.20$487.4274,099
North Dakota$2,316.36$504.5217,403
Wisconsin$2,314.59$694.1756,110
Connecticut$2,273.98$485.9714,932
South Dakota$2,251.39$483.7915,878
Illinois$2,228.69$451.2458,216
New Jersey$2,226.61$436.7529,703
Nebraska$2,222.15$390.3321,146
Oregon$2,219.84$431.9030,607
Rhode Island$2,219.33$473.175,169
New Hampshire$2,217.55$461.9328,372
Washington$2,201.77$421.2353,786
Utah$2,188.14$407.023,941
Minnesota$2,185.10$568.9720,189
West Virginia$2,175.99$420.5319,749
Hawaii$2,173.91$446.8313,197
Idaho$2,169.08$377.6410,333
Arizona$2,166.22$389.4545,037
Montana$2,160.48$406.6017,999
Nevada$2,152.61$424.336,942
Iowa$2,151.71$391.1441,733
Wyoming$2,151.21$408.987,078
District Of Columbia$2,144.88$383.415,712
Maine$2,136.90$410.5222,092
Ohio$2,126.62$403.8155,624
Colorado$2,121.30$423.2438,547
Pennsylvania$2,111.52$469.6746,279
Kentucky$2,101.79$347.7522,949
Delaware$2,098.91$443.143,907
Michigan$2,087.67$436.7338,712
Oklahoma$2,086.94$337.4824,848
Virginia$2,084.85$370.1155,716
Indiana$2,077.18$383.3537,398
Missouri$2,063.88$352.8836,803
Kansas$2,037.75$416.3923,309
Maryland$2,034.89$390.4629,744
Arkansas$1,985.38$415.898,478
Louisiana$1,973.75$370.8312,368
Tennessee$1,940.51$316.8227,936
South Carolina$1,939.23$338.0028,458
North Carolina$1,936.17$341.7675,371
Georgia$1,932.73$360.8263,951
New Mexico$1,920.05$434.6828,940
Florida$1,908.44$343.0344,674
Texas$1,891.91$371.5980,072
Mississippi$1,891.65$484.427,092
Alabama$1,819.90$319.7916,273
Table: Travel Nurse States by Highest Paying. Standard deviation explanation.

Curious what the market looked like pre-COVID19?

Below is a compilation of the states that offered the higher pay from September 2019 - March 2020. Compare this list to our above map and table to see what difference crisis rates made.

Top 5 Highest Paying States for Travel Nurses (Pre - Covid19)

  1. California Consistently has the best pay and the most jobs by a long shot. Both inside and outside of the pandemic.
  2. New Jersey Solid opportunities for both pay and job availability.
  3. Washington D.C. Great income, but fewer job openings.
  4. Alaska Decent pay and lots of jobs, despite reputation for low rates. Current rates lower than pre-covid19.
  5. Connecticut Regularly pays above average with frequent job openings.

Highest Travel Nurse Salaries by Metropolitan Area

Not sure which areas of the country pay great for travel nurses?

We've got a summary here to get you started. Get even more location-specific data on high paying opportunities using our interactive pay explorer.

Top 5 Highest Travel Nurse Salaries by Metropolitan Area

Go after high pay AND lots of job openings in these locations:

  1. California Holds 9 of our top 10 spots for highest-paying metro areas
  2. East Coast New York City-Newark, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC
  3. Pacific Northwest Seattle-Tacoma, Portland
  4. Midwest St Louis, Chicago
  5. Arizona Phoenix, Tuscon

Pro Tip: Investing in a California license is worth your time and money if you're looking for LOTS of high-paying job options.

Highest Paying Travel Nurse Specialties

Feast your eyes on the largest travel nursing specialty comparison available including more than 130 specialties. Our interactive table shows nationwide pay averages including standard deviation for you to get an accurate overview of the highest paying specialties.

Last 12 months 
Travel Nursing Specialty Average Weekly Pay Weekly Pay St. Deviation# Jobs Observed
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA / CRNA)$7,229.61$425.457
Cardiovascular / Cardiothoracic Surgery (PA / CV / CT Surg)$5,601.94$449.666
Physicist (Non-Healthcare / Phys)$5,510.02$1,088.06327
Perfusionist (Allied / Perf)$5,183.01$933.12381
Emergency Medicine (PA / ED)$3,981.60$261.893
Psychologist (Allied / CP)$3,587.58$902.8545
Assistant Nurse Manager (RN / Asst RN Mgr)$3,089.08$606.0214
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP / FNP)$2,983.44$919.2610
Dosimetrist (Allied / Dosimetrist)$2,979.29$416.70182
Audiologist (Allied / Aud)$2,801.89$819.26149
Visual Impairments Teacher (School Services / School)$2,790.63$1,781.2723
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RN / RNFA)$2,733.21$802.012,067
Doctor of Pharmacy (Allied / PharmD)$2,690.62$477.864,470
Critical Care Flight / Transport Nurse (RN / Flight)$2,651.02$667.6548
Interventional Radiology Technologist (Allied / IR Tech)$2,636.52$437.0119,775
Pathology Assistant (Allied / Path Asst)$2,611.16$547.70601
Administrative (RN / Admin)$2,607.85$503.09201
Special Procedures Technologist (Allied / Special Procedures Tech)$2,603.17$383.121,124
Nurse Manager (RN / RN Mgr)$2,600.13$703.962,513
Infection Control (RN / Infection)$2,587.60$655.62438
Cardiovascular Cath Lab Technologist (Allied / Cardiac Cath Lab Tech)$2,564.90$427.4735,130
Lactation (RN / Lactation)$2,564.05$413.9331
Director of Nursing (RN / DON)$2,554.91$747.89837
Electrophysiology Lab Technician (Allied / EP Lab Tech)$2,530.68$376.574,206
Nurse Navigator (RN / RN Navigator)$2,530.29$345.4344
House Supervisor (Supervisor / House Sup)$2,509.62$481.631,337
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Allied / CNMT)$2,498.42$421.1612,411
Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / CVOR)$2,495.34$448.7515,511
Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / Peds CVICU)$2,492.48$332.90649
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist (RN / CDI)$2,491.87$249.3953
Pediatric Operating Room (RN / Peds OR)$2,490.36$452.37781
Multi-Modality Technologist (Allied / Multi-Modality Technologist)$2,486.32$290.80219
Electrophysiology Lab (RN / EP Lab)$2,482.90$438.982,747
Cardiac Cath Lab (RN / Cath Lab)$2,481.97$379.4231,003
Interventional Radiology (RN / IR)$2,470.42$401.218,801
Pediatric Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / Peds CVOR)$2,467.91$446.5060
Computed Tomography Technologist (Allied / CT Tech)$2,459.71$424.4997,393
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (School Services / BCBA)$2,455.95$693.2576
Special Procedures (RN / Special Procedures)$2,452.46$402.79123
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (RN / PICU)$2,441.95$482.348,490
Diagnostic Radiologist (Allied / Radiologist)$2,427.18$316.83303
Patient Care Coordinator (RN / PCC)$2,425.15$571.5979
Radiotherapist (Allied / Radiotherapy)$2,423.12$450.718,955
MRI Technologist (Allied / MRI Technologist)$2,421.42$404.5132,012
Public Health (RN / Pub Hlth)$2,413.59$618.363
Radiology (RN / Radiology)$2,413.35$335.031,595
Labor & Delivery (RN / L&D)$2,398.28$437.1162,976
MRI Technician (Allied / MRI Tech)$2,384.87$367.5511,288
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RN / CRNA)$2,384.79$2,335.91135
Mammography Tech (Allied / Mammo Tech)$2,382.64$397.049,947
Echocardiograph Technologist (Allied / Echo Technologist)$2,372.00$336.575,682
Echo-Vascular Technician (Allied / Echo/Vasc Tech)$2,353.20$635.051,576
Vascular Access Nurse (RN / PICC RN)$2,346.69$459.72191
Nurse Educator (RN / Education)$2,345.58$863.06462
School Psychologist, Certified (School Services / NCSP)$2,335.15$676.76218
Admissions (RN / ADM)$2,323.97$279.8141
Cytotechnologist (Allied / Cyto)$2,323.95$425.24814
Wound Care (RN / Wound)$2,322.65$433.022,350
Utilization Review (RN / UR)$2,312.14$436.36365
Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / Peds PACU)$2,309.59$343.01221
Echocardiograph Technician (Allied / Echo Tech)$2,299.11$337.996,117
Pediatric Hematology - Oncology (RN / Peds Heme/Onc)$2,297.24$325.08319
Vascular Technologist (Allied / RVT)$2,291.68$390.522,967
OB/GYN (RN / OB/GYN)$2,287.68$405.593,744
Pediatric Progressive Care Unit (RN / Peds PCU)$2,283.15$244.48454
Clinical Nurse Coordinator (RN / CNC)$2,277.18$451.58117
Case Management (RN / CM)$2,270.79$426.7510,481
Ultrasound Technologist (Allied / US Technologist)$2,269.16$382.7824,868
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / CVICU)$2,265.51$397.8817,194
Pediatric Emergency Department (RN / Peds ED)$2,264.94$398.681,899
Hematology (RN / Heme)$2,257.90$275.99103
Surgical Oncology (RN / Surg Onc)$2,257.22$277.90114
Coronary Care Unit (RN / CCU)$2,255.32$308.523,889
Pediatric Oncology (RN / Peds Onc)$2,250.83$756.1071
Same Day Surgery (RN / SDS)$2,250.00$318.397
Operating Room (RN / OR)$2,248.73$417.2458,810
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RN / NICU)$2,245.01$397.0214,853
Float Pool (RN / Float)$2,237.07$320.331,479
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (RN / CTICU)$2,226.00$315.14529
Cardiology (RN / Cardio)$2,219.51$360.851,184
Hematology / Oncology (RN / Heme / Onc)$2,218.50$331.74858
Orthopedic Neurology (RN / Ortho / Neuro)$2,217.53$258.9191
Burn Intensive Care Unit (RN / BICU)$2,213.33$457.12485
Ultrasound-Sonography Technician (Allied / US/Sono Tech)$2,212.75$333.817,244
Infusion Therapy (RN / Infusion)$2,212.70$404.522,119
Obstetric Ultrasound - Sonographer (Allied / OB/GYN US)$2,208.39$463.22151
Nephrology (RN / Neph)$2,208.27$830.54144
Neurology Intensive Care Unit (RN / Neuro ICU)$2,207.89$297.673,463
Pediatrics (RN / Peds)$2,206.84$357.636,760
Bone Marrow Transplant (RN / BMT)$2,177.62$253.04759
Step Down Unit (RN / SDU)$2,172.83$277.1514,478
Direct Observation Unit (RN / DOU)$2,162.64$295.081,230
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (RN / SICU)$2,157.88$344.791,520
Intensive Care Unit (RN / ICU)$2,157.71$362.9478,248
Urgent Care (RN / Urgent Care)$2,155.64$370.94252
Cardiac Stepdown Unit (RN / CSDU)$2,151.09$294.602,769
Therapeutic Apheresis (RN / Apheresis)$2,150.86$360.6459
Neurology (RN / Neuro)$2,148.13$404.464,145
Postoperative (RN / Post-op)$2,146.20$285.7166
Postpartum (RN / PP)$2,146.15$433.134,978
Oncology (RN / Onc)$2,144.18$362.8815,775
Emergency Department (RN / ED)$2,142.37$345.9296,943
Clerical (Non-Healthcare / Clerical)$2,140.05$1,095.806
Ambulatory Care (RN / Amb)$2,140.03$367.031,329
Endoscopy (RN / Endo)$2,137.80$369.346,596
Radiology Technologist (Allied / X-Ray Technologist)$2,135.91$419.3841,698
Transplant (RN / Transplant)$2,130.07$347.85350
Medical Surgical Telemetry (RN / Med Surg Tele)$2,121.18$282.0956,260
Gastrointestinal Lab (RN / GI Lab)$2,118.32$314.971,344
X-Ray Technician (Allied / X-Ray Tech)$2,117.57$260.101,947
Charge Nurse (RN / Charge)$2,115.39$394.96136
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / PACU)$2,114.87$368.3520,883
Hospice (RN / Hospice)$2,104.01$379.505,859
Home Health (RN / HH)$2,103.60$400.1719,223
Acute Care (RN / Acute)$2,103.24$360.033,373
Dialysis (RN / Dialysis)$2,103.18$293.387,859
Progressive Care Unit (RN / PCU)$2,098.28$317.5954,060
Trauma Intensive Care Unit (RN / TICU)$2,088.16$359.671,157
Telemetry (RN / Tele)$2,086.85$343.5556,674
Certified Surgical First Assistant (Allied / CSFA)$2,086.23$355.082,348
Radiology Technician (Allied / Rad Tech)$2,076.41$406.9121,609
Outpatient Clinic (RN / Outpatient)$2,074.75$357.944,128
Pain Management (RN / Pain Mgt)$2,061.90$291.1841
CVOR Technologist (Allied / CVOR Tech)$2,052.65$364.0311,009
Research / Clinical Research (RN / Research)$2,041.35$388.73174
Medical Surgical (RN / Med Surg)$2,040.50$347.05111,986
Occupational Health (RN / Occ Health)$2,038.67$270.84222
Psychiatric - Mental Health (RN / Psych)$2,032.11$344.1614,464
Physical Therapy (Therapy / PT)$2,032.04$337.28119,257
Long Term Acute Care (RN / LTAC)$2,029.71$368.8311,269
Assistant Director of Nursing (RN / Asst. DON)$2,026.40$771.21121
Perioperative (RN / Peri-op)$2,024.10$339.661,735
Orthopedic (RN / Ortho)$2,015.64$282.693,555
Respiratory Therapist (Allied / RT)$2,013.38$383.8745,394
Speech Language Pathologist (Allied / SLP)$2,003.85$334.9229,837
Urology (RN / Urology)$1,998.12$337.23183
Neurology Progressive Care Unit (RN / Neuro PCU)$1,996.59$298.531,257
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Allied / LCSW)$1,983.63$447.594,123
Corrections (RN / Corr)$1,978.12$310.873,605
Obstetric Technician (Allied / OB Tech)$1,953.54$404.62692
Occupational Therapy (Therapy / OT)$1,946.53$334.2841,425
Special Education Teacher (School Services / Special Ed)$1,930.99$1,028.91969
Recreational Therapist (Therapy / RT)$1,927.65$316.0479
Skilled Nursing Facility (RN / SNF)$1,908.82$481.516,690
School Nurse (RN / School Nurse)$1,908.17$365.97184
Stroke / Neuro (RN / Stroke / Neuro)$1,903.05$241.0872
Polysomnographer (Allied / Sleep Tech)$1,897.13$264.961,489
Electroencephalogram Technologist (Allied / EEG Technologist)$1,886.78$298.051,012
Long Term Care (RN / LTC)$1,882.94$344.9419,217
Registered Dietician (Allied / RDCD)$1,878.37$250.95756
Electroencephalogram Technician (Allied / EEG Tech)$1,875.37$275.31744
Rehabilitation (RN / Rehab)$1,872.67$371.6511,359
Rehabilitation Therapy (Allied / Rehab Therapy)$1,845.18$376.981,175
Telehealth (RN / Telehealth)$1,839.19$409.6099
Psychiatry - Mental Health (NP / Psych)$1,788.64$205.073
Medical Tech / Medical Laboratory Scientist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Allied / MT / MLS / CLS)$1,781.72$472.919,844
Operating Room / Surgical Technician (Allied / OR / Surg Tech)$1,769.80$399.5938,866
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (Allied / SLPA)$1,753.42$305.13235
Long Term Acute Care (LPN / LVN / LTAC)$1,739.89$226.4016
Vaccinations (RN / Vax)$1,709.88$345.325
Emergency Department (LPN / LVN / ED)$1,673.10$475.8776
Paramedic (Allied / Paramedic)$1,650.51$318.54283
Histotechnician (Allied / HT)$1,626.28$286.14437
Hospice (LPN / LVN / Hospice)$1,555.94$280.06155
School Nurse (LPN / LVN / School Nurse)$1,554.56$266.9146
Endoscopy Technician (Allied / Endo Tech)$1,545.90$337.721,072
Psychiatric - Mental Health (LPN / LVN / Psych)$1,533.64$250.60281
Home Health (LPN / LVN / HH)$1,530.89$186.492,330
Emergency Department Technician (Allied / ED Tech)$1,500.56$443.81101
Anesthesia Technician (Allied / Anesthesia Tech)$1,496.36$298.23523
Telemetry (LPN / LVN / Tele)$1,479.14$347.8692
Corrections (LPN / LVN / Corr)$1,449.24$239.152,574
Long Term Care (LPN / LVN / LTC)$1,443.09$232.1820,147
Antepartum (RN / Antepartum)$1,413.68$598.48678
Electrocardiograph Technician (Allied / EKG Tech)$1,408.62$380.73165
Outpatient Clinic (LPN / LVN / Outpatient)$1,401.81$379.612,120
Physical Therapy Assistant (Therapy / PTA)$1,375.97$247.0928,425
Occupational Therapy Assistant (Therapy / OTA)$1,363.80$257.102,380
Pharmacy Technician (Allied / Pharm Tech)$1,363.36$470.34514
Telemetry Monitor Technician (Allied / Tele / Monitor Tech)$1,350.44$354.36536
Medical Surgical (LPN / LVN / Med Surg)$1,349.10$243.271,593
LPN / LVN (LPN / LVN / LPN / LVN)$1,310.31$265.6210,778
( / Rehab)$1,276.28$289.25217
Dialysis Technician (Allied / Dialysis Tech)$1,269.68$206.93951
Sterile Processing Technician (Allied / SPT)$1,242.21$259.854,001
Medical Surgical (CNA / Med Surg)$1,211.42$335.3725
Psychiatric - Mental Health Technician (Allied / Psych Tech)$1,199.48$284.9258
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA / CNA)$1,090.87$325.62114
Long Term Care (CNA / LTC)$1,090.34$227.7397
Phlebotomy (Allied / Phlebotomist)$1,069.45$303.86491
Patient Care Technician (Allied / PCT)$1,023.19$203.88472
Certified Medical Assistant (Allied / CMA)$1,006.40$366.35766
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
AMN Healthcare Allied$1,932.03$443.589,998
Prime HealthCare Staffing$2,053.37$336.799,984
Health Carousel$2,155.42$344.14993
Trinity Health FirstChoice$2,494.61$373.67990
Fastaff Travel Nursing$2,307.03$394.62984
Avani Healthcare Staffing$2,049.47$354.52975
Pulse Healthcare Services$2,619.12$397.33972
Springboard Healthcare$2,442.86$355.759,561
MedUS Healthcare$2,238.69$347.05945
CrossMed$1,996.18$360.609,357
GQR Healthcare$1,942.31$528.069,019
CT Assist$3,316.30$352.929
Jackson Therapy Partners$1,838.41$350.498,852
Fusion Medical Staffing$2,299.82$1,034.148,752
Trusted Resource Associates (TRA)$2,320.29$430.45856
NuWest Group$2,022.61$400.378,422
Bestica$2,216.08$433.558,408
MAS Medical Staffing$1,989.54$376.92838
Consolidated Medical Travel$2,549.06$404.74832
Advantis Medical Staffing$2,067.80$365.468,310
MSSI$2,435.64$383.58821
Ardor Health Solutions$1,972.64$373.898,029
MARS Solutions Group$2,526.25$450.4880
Raisso Inc.$2,351.97$311.94781
MedicalPeople Staffing, LLC$2,693.26$408.5578
Reliable Nurse Staffing$2,240.18$370.227,661
Siemens Healthineers$2,781.22$307.19759
Supplemental Health Care$1,902.87$431.0175,232
Northside Hospital Choice+Local$1,866.84$375.7075
Lead Health$2,090.07$399.70749
Sunbelt Staffing$2,493.45$393.89745
Vibra Travels$2,077.91$316.607,391
AB Staffing Solutions$2,331.92$497.86736
United Staffing Solutions$2,308.75$485.77730
Ethos Medical Staffing$2,154.77$384.997,253
Skyline Med Staff$1,874.40$428.476,965
Meda Health$2,249.80$397.626,805
RightPro Staffing$2,213.67$417.61679
Pluto Healthcare Staffing$2,171.89$310.45675
Providence Health Care Staffing$2,190.94$577.95673
Peregrine Team$2,225.19$357.5767
Reliant Staffing Solutions$2,325.76$334.60669
Triage Staffing$2,108.70$716.5065,954
Titan Medical Group$2,171.28$394.206,586
SkyBridge Healthcare$1,835.65$349.626,577
Prime Time Healthcare$2,408.74$364.436,470
Zack Group$2,047.53$610.486,464
PS Companies$2,469.61$260.97620
LanceSoft$2,379.66$477.8461,938
Formation, Inc.$3,059.06$449.4859
NURSES Etc. STAFFING$2,358.05$347.50588
Alto Healthcare Staffing$2,180.54$404.81585
Next Move, Inc.$2,094.03$336.755,630
Medasource$2,250.66$324.09561
TactStaff$2,397.84$368.12552
Medmasa$3,016.55$699.7955
TLC Nursing$2,149.17$365.155,294
MedPro Healthcare Staffing$2,149.39$373.9552,275
Modern Healthcare Solutions$2,368.98$367.99513
Nomad Health$2,185.37$319.275,048
Becker Health$2,365.75$415.5850
Health Advocates Network$2,221.59$422.364,825
Genie Healthcare$2,132.95$428.7448,244
Tallavera$2,418.51$320.4147
ARM Staffing$2,220.53$374.834,653
Critical Connection, inc$2,027.36$250.954,443
Custom Healthcare Solutions$2,186.72$382.9544
Nurses 24/7$2,584.58$328.76435
FlexCare Medical Staffing$2,320.53$324.354,275
Host Healthcare$2,399.62$1,211.5642,651
Sharp Medical Staffinglife$1,983.54$383.834,045
The Judge Group$2,501.36$412.704,043
MedWave Healthcare Staffing$2,104.50$563.373,942
American Medical Staffing$1,768.30$419.133,911
Blu Medstaff$1,848.35$374.79382
Stability Healthcare$2,219.69$387.2137,517
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions$2,050.89$330.0536,612
Insight Global$2,331.09$565.18357
Cross Country Healthcare$2,113.29$466.2835,642
The Good Life MedStaff$2,202.51$403.313,537
Marvel Medical Staffing$1,876.84$366.613,526
Favorite Healthcare Staffing$2,506.17$502.41351
Source Medical Staffing$2,156.41$482.353,443
ICONMA$2,446.75$374.80342
Revolution Healthcare Services$2,169.25$423.583,302
Nurses First Solutions$2,009.85$457.403,248
Cure Healthcare Staffing$2,394.51$356.183,186
trustaff$2,149.82$379.4531,386
HumanEdge$2,153.51$432.283,092
Go Healthcare$2,051.63$354.7330,635
Infojini Healthcare$2,427.00$502.30304
Catapult Healthcare$2,459.05$546.97303
CoreMedical Group$1,912.42$401.5930,172
Connected Health Care$2,149.09$398.703,012
Excite Health Partners$2,530.37$443.43300
VitalHire$2,265.84$467.83299
Arrow Healthcare Staffing and Recruiting$2,059.33$422.842,935
Excel Medical Staffing$2,335.46$425.932,905
Lahey Health$2,472.77$455.6329
GrapeTree Medical Staffing$1,633.89$374.112,898
Centra Healthcare$1,786.43$371.822,681
White Glove Placement$2,511.33$293.12268
Junxion Med Staffing$2,103.47$406.972,665
AHS Staffing$2,095.73$388.0126,438
Access Healthcare Staffing$2,211.07$423.5626,238
Marshall Healthcare Staffing$2,328.32$475.98260
Travel Nurses Inc.$2,103.75$374.4325,965
Innovent Global$2,443.47$626.29259
Medical Solutions$2,130.43$451.6325,780
SambaCare$2,124.56$486.962,557
Solomon Page$2,285.97$423.5525,542
Seven Healthcare$2,312.18$460.362,520
Planet Healthcare$2,145.02$437.4625,097
Froedtert Health$2,333.24$330.53244
LeaderStat$2,251.82$362.9124,251
Fiber Staffing$2,165.29$215.58240
Healthcare Staffing - IDR, Inc$2,158.10$417.8023,967
GHR Travel Nursing$2,209.23$333.3523,888
TotalMed$2,093.02$358.8423,516
TinkBird Healthcare Staffing$2,322.91$429.94231
Soliant Health$2,530.84$529.26221
GetMed Staffing, Inc.$1,791.06$404.3022,061
Beyond Medical Staffing$1,925.62$381.73217
TRS Healthcare$2,149.56$415.1421,269
PRIDE Health$2,231.95$461.6820,931
TheraEX Staffing Services$2,252.74$701.942,075
3D Medical Staffing$2,167.10$369.33205
Voyage Healthcare$2,241.23$295.792,027
Premier Medical Staffing$2,143.46$333.5220,189
ALOIS Healthcare$2,159.20$375.2020,074
Travel Nurse Across America$2,104.11$338.5720,049
Gifted Healthcare$2,184.18$321.791,987
Assured Nursing$2,079.80$457.3319,625
Phaxis$2,151.87$348.14196
American Mobile Healthcare (AMN)$2,163.88$439.231,956
Health Carousel - Allied Travel$2,114.40$429.781,925
Healthcare Support$2,097.63$392.4019,068
Scout Nurse Staffing$2,267.47$686.6019
GLC On-The-Go$1,949.56$443.5118,808
ADN Healthcare$2,255.72$375.3518,749
Aptiva Healthcare$2,713.43$700.44180
Magnet Medical$2,198.63$406.9617,865
CareNational$2,411.20$338.56177
Wellspring Nurse Source$2,267.60$397.5517,193
Nurse First Travel Agency$2,204.67$354.0416,948
Lucid Staffing Solutions$2,251.68$665.001,669
Uniti Med$2,052.83$571.4616,588
Galaxy Healthcare$2,259.32$360.901,632
DT-Trak Consulting$2,805.01$598.80162
KPG Healthcare$2,223.20$788.8016,066
Grady Works$1,854.69$220.2716
Aequor Healthcare$2,128.06$374.3415,672
Thrive Staffing$2,130.96$387.791,559
OneStaff Medical$1,910.77$467.0715,582
Amare Medical Network$2,143.96$388.311,553
Nationwide Therapy Group$1,850.32$518.4415,518
Remede Consulting Group, Inc.$2,392.24$370.271,536
Spire Workforce Solutions$2,263.62$390.951,534
RCM Healthcare Services$1,908.77$380.84153
Rock Medical Group$1,869.07$333.4815
Synergy Medical Staffing$1,939.45$507.5014,928
Coast Medical Service$2,218.45$354.4814,889
Concentric Healthcare Staffing$2,092.93$408.791,486
Refined Medical Staffing$2,213.46$386.651,486
Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health)$2,223.03$377.5314,779
Aureus Medical Group$2,117.00$432.8814,770
The Stepping Stones Group$1,936.48$304.29147
Vastek Inc.$2,258.78$349.171,437
RKA Recruiting$2,364.33$374.431,421
QS Nurses$2,067.03$361.65141
Summit Medical Staffing$2,124.19$611.8213,643
PRN Healthcare$2,237.27$381.1313,612
Halcyon Nurse Staffing$2,284.85$576.52135
ADEX Healthcare Staffing - US Travel Nursing$2,210.01$368.1913,460
American Traveler$2,246.81$356.9913,416
Destination Travelcare$2,231.14$350.811,334
B2B Staffing Services$2,238.92$597.951,307
LRS Healthcare$2,112.37$328.9313,001
Novo Connections$1,858.43$395.6113
Lifeline Medical Staffing$2,016.03$391.911,261
Voca Healthcare$2,233.49$421.9212,458
iDeal Personnel$2,337.86$445.041,212
Anders Group$2,162.55$459.0712,074
Alliance Medical Staffing$2,086.36$600.42120
Malone Healthcare Solutions$2,310.58$338.1411,981
FlexUp Direct$2,124.07$464.471,171
SojouRN$2,266.52$476.74117
Premier Healthcare Professionals$2,250.70$497.9811,531
Focus Staff$2,147.36$430.9311,177
eTeam Inc$2,226.36$549.161,110
CareTeam Solutions$2,129.67$335.5110,925
Millbrook$2,663.06$394.58107
Jackson Nurse Professionals$2,096.35$411.6810,268
Nightingale Nurses$2,143.83$390.9410,147
Specialty Professional Services$1,949.84$428.861,010
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. 💕