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$2,446.47$561.6415,127
California$2,341.00$493.16164,160
New York$2,308.94$436.03118,528
Wisconsin$2,308.57$596.6071,818
Massachusetts$2,299.58$470.1090,425
North Dakota$2,252.36$474.9725,758
Vermont$2,233.19$559.0227,301
New Jersey$2,218.73$435.9552,623
Illinois$2,209.47$433.8678,315
Maine$2,202.44$425.5934,858
Rhode Island$2,201.54$461.866,909
Connecticut$2,175.45$423.7922,246
Oregon$2,162.08$432.1151,919
Washington$2,148.22$434.5578,207
Nevada$2,148.18$440.659,513
New Hampshire$2,148.07$496.7136,895
Nebraska$2,146.81$399.8530,892
Minnesota$2,136.78$548.2928,168
South Dakota$2,135.79$497.0223,741
West Virginia$2,134.99$434.8524,501
Idaho$2,134.83$360.6617,320
Arizona$2,129.55$410.4558,266
Hawaii$2,125.26$447.2318,804
Ohio$2,121.81$402.8380,860
Montana$2,120.86$413.7924,853
Wyoming$2,118.87$429.328,384
Colorado$2,118.50$417.4549,272
Utah$2,103.01$408.535,787
Iowa$2,101.32$399.1152,816
Kentucky$2,076.47$345.7933,909
Virginia$2,057.23$374.5873,660
District Of Columbia$2,054.76$346.926,369
Oklahoma$2,050.87$349.5935,554
Indiana$2,047.80$386.8455,217
Delaware$2,040.61$521.696,423
Kansas$2,036.50$396.8826,920
Michigan$2,033.48$445.1755,455
Missouri$2,021.32$361.1548,716
Maryland$2,000.63$417.8841,499
Pennsylvania$1,994.85$501.0272,012
New Mexico$1,944.22$415.3937,642
Louisiana$1,941.58$387.0819,598
Georgia$1,902.68$364.9883,261
South Carolina$1,901.27$345.8135,732
North Carolina$1,897.70$365.7990,392
Tennessee$1,890.22$300.8748,523
Florida$1,887.17$347.8251,996
Texas$1,883.14$360.72107,433
Arkansas$1,873.52$434.6712,962
Mississippi$1,824.48$475.1910,152
Alabama$1,768.96$336.0022,374
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)$952.83$272.05139
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA / CRNA)$6,698.38$1,307.7863
Cardiovascular / Cardiothoracic Surgery (PA / CV / CT Surg)$5,918.00$288.234
Physicist (Non-Healthcare / Phys)$5,327.92$1,077.80496
Perfusionist (Allied / Perf)$4,770.49$1,034.96284
Acute Care (NP / ACNP)$4,386.96$967.053
Nurse Practitioner (NP / NP)$4,025.18$1,076.8011
Neonatology (NP / Neonatology)$3,778.83$334.464
Psychiatry - Mental Health (NP / Psych)$3,554.55$289.1814
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP / FNP)$3,404.06$1,497.57130
Assistant Nurse Manager (RN / Asst RN Mgr)$3,036.16$515.5228
Dosimetrist (Allied / Dosimetrist)$3,012.14$656.07364
Psychologist (Allied / CP)$2,948.03$948.69115
Critical Care Flight / Transport Nurse (RN / Flight)$2,818.61$761.5188
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (School Services / School)$2,782.40$602.9723
Lactation (RN / Lactation)$2,761.58$395.5933
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RN / RNFA)$2,760.99$722.304,954
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RN / CRNA)$2,693.19$2,490.43139
Pediatric Oncology (RN / Peds Onc)$2,669.33$1,391.6186
Audiologist (Allied / Aud)$2,640.99$522.47269
Doctor of Pharmacy (Allied / PharmD)$2,636.84$508.845,097
Pathology Assistant (Allied / Path Asst)$2,587.78$528.551,295
Pediatric Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / Peds CVOR)$2,567.82$422.68145
Director of Nursing (RN / DON)$2,565.27$743.331,567
Special Procedures Technologist (Allied / Special Procedures Tech)$2,540.47$420.441,445
Nurse Manager (RN / RN Mgr)$2,534.93$725.013,926
Interventional Radiology Technologist (Allied / IR Tech)$2,530.02$450.6727,230
Multi-Modality Technologist (Allied / Multi-Modality Technologist)$2,518.35$319.641,510
Public Health (RN / Pub Hlth)$2,506.32$317.1631
Antepartum (Allied / Ante)$2,501.94$950.41222
Pediatric Operating Room (RN / Peds OR)$2,472.39$549.70918
Infection Control (RN / Infection)$2,461.86$469.87788
Cardiovascular Cath Lab Technologist (Allied / Cardiac Cath Lab Tech)$2,461.26$413.7046,150
Nurse Navigator (RN / RN Navigator)$2,457.40$358.7474
Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / CVOR)$2,456.48$444.7318,239
House Supervisor (Supervisor / House Sup)$2,449.33$508.572,401
Electrophysiology Lab Technician (Allied / EP Lab Tech)$2,434.56$388.165,130
Electrophysiology Lab (RN / EP Lab)$2,433.85$421.723,872
School Psychologist, Certified (School Services / NCSP)$2,430.89$503.91133
Special Procedures (RN / Special Procedures)$2,426.99$401.52396
Cardiac Cath Lab (RN / Cath Lab)$2,425.12$396.9935,134
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Allied / CNMT)$2,424.86$421.7516,765
Interventional Radiology (RN / IR)$2,416.83$393.4610,278
Radiology (RN / Radiology)$2,407.84$417.653,541
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist (RN / CDI)$2,403.38$320.6192
Computed Tomography Technologist (Allied / CT Tech)$2,402.29$421.39146,055
Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / Peds CVICU)$2,399.53$381.86971
Pediatric Hematology - Oncology (RN / Peds Heme/Onc)$2,371.29$367.94187
MRI Technician (Allied / MRI Tech)$2,370.45$470.5911,791
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (RN / PICU)$2,366.65$444.0210,880
MRI Technologist (Allied / MRI Technologist)$2,360.03$404.2648,554
Administrative (RN / Admin)$2,357.82$619.76402
Echocardiograph Technologist (Allied / Echo Technologist)$2,349.56$366.9111,055
Surgical Oncology (RN / Surg Onc)$2,345.61$350.94187
Same Day Surgery (RN / SDS)$2,332.85$291.2515
Nurse Educator (RN / Education)$2,328.64$711.20730
Echo-Vascular Technician (Allied / Echo/Vasc Tech)$2,326.44$485.593,457
Vascular Technologist (Allied / RVT)$2,324.33$424.365,178
Radiotherapist (Allied / Radiotherapy)$2,323.47$445.536,840
Vascular Access Nurse (RN / PICC RN)$2,316.22$320.56249
Mammography Tech (Allied / Mammo Tech)$2,313.42$416.1410,082
Echocardiograph Technician (Allied / Echo Tech)$2,308.49$361.229,350
Labor & Delivery (RN / L&D)$2,305.18$434.9369,766
Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / Peds PACU)$2,289.90$394.86222
Emergency Medicine (PA / ED)$2,288.00$12.004
OB/GYN (RN / OB/GYN)$2,284.26$436.995,118
Ultrasound-Sonography Technician (Allied / US/Sono Tech)$2,282.37$428.656,700
Cytotechnologist (Allied / Cyto)$2,280.38$417.511,568
Pediatric Progressive Care Unit (RN / Peds PCU)$2,277.68$260.98524
Pain Management (RN / Pain Mgt)$2,276.98$273.2663
Hematology / Oncology (RN / Heme / Onc)$2,274.67$353.321,113
Hematology (RN / Heme)$2,271.30$330.12135
Ultrasound Technologist (Allied / US Technologist)$2,265.58$367.3845,436
Bone Marrow Transplant (RN / BMT)$2,254.47$317.871,180
Clinical Nurse Coordinator (RN / CNC)$2,244.08$597.98210
Pediatric Emergency Department (RN / Peds ED)$2,241.73$373.522,854
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (School Services / BCBA)$2,241.56$695.0037
Diagnostic Radiologist (Allied / Radiologist)$2,240.21$472.991,174
Operating Room (RN / OR)$2,239.07$417.4370,573
Patient Care Coordinator (RN / PCC)$2,238.25$721.5181
Wound Care (RN / Wound)$2,222.43$429.513,108
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RN / NICU)$2,220.62$422.5615,624
Therapeutic Apheresis (RN / Apheresis)$2,220.46$394.33138
Infusion Therapy (RN / Infusion)$2,220.17$406.362,707
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / CVICU)$2,218.20$398.2320,717
Coronary Care Unit (RN / CCU)$2,214.42$307.526,426
Orthopedic Neurology (RN / Ortho / Neuro)$2,212.13$293.01246
Cardiac Stepdown Unit (RN / CSDU)$2,210.44$298.63701
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (RN / CTICU)$2,210.16$326.19598
Pediatrics (RN / Peds)$2,204.48$415.489,078
Case Management (RN / CM)$2,203.29$391.4414,353
Cardiology (RN / Cardio)$2,198.95$365.572,374
Obstetric Ultrasound - Sonographer (Allied / OB/GYN US)$2,195.36$387.86116
Postoperative (RN / Post-op)$2,193.58$278.70103
Transplant (RN / Transplant)$2,192.75$451.18782
Urgent Care (RN / Urgent Care)$2,188.98$461.27388
Neurology Intensive Care Unit (RN / Neuro ICU)$2,186.75$311.484,612
Postpartum (RN / PP)$2,186.71$453.085,890
Direct Observation Unit (RN / DOU)$2,165.68$303.381,740
Admissions (RN / ADM)$2,160.30$250.8156
Oncology (RN / Onc)$2,153.39$363.0725,215
Burn Intensive Care Unit (RN / BICU)$2,147.32$405.86868
Radiology Technologist (Allied / X-Ray Technologist)$2,144.23$418.3356,734
Step Down Unit (RN / SDU)$2,142.39$311.4320,175
Float Pool (RN / Float)$2,140.72$367.442,275
Medical Surgical Telemetry (RN / Med Surg Tele)$2,133.09$285.1570,588
Emergency Department (RN / ED)$2,130.01$352.64122,309
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (RN / SICU)$2,125.30$317.322,207
Utilization Review (RN / UR)$2,124.76$357.62634
Intensive Care Unit (RN / ICU)$2,124.41$360.65103,312
X-Ray Technician (Allied / X-Ray Tech)$2,122.28$338.78703
Trauma Intensive Care Unit (RN / TICU)$2,121.09$347.811,601
Nephrology (RN / Neph)$2,119.67$266.70318
Neurology (RN / Neuro)$2,119.32$332.896,241
Endoscopy (RN / Endo)$2,117.23$363.019,429
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / PACU)$2,114.09$365.7323,638
Gastrointestinal Lab (RN / GI Lab)$2,111.97$332.691,998
Certified Surgical First Assistant (Allied / CSFA)$2,104.07$471.442,870
Urology (RN / Urology)$2,102.92$330.51213
Home Health (RN / HH)$2,099.74$364.7023,202
Acute Care (RN / Acute)$2,090.00$352.114,786
Progressive Care Unit (RN / PCU)$2,088.08$311.5181,566
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Allied / LCSW)$2,082.61$399.584,843
Perioperative (RN / Peri-op)$2,078.55$398.252,801
Dialysis (RN / Dialysis)$2,069.85$327.6511,757
Telemetry (RN / Tele)$2,066.57$346.3990,422
Neurology Progressive Care Unit (RN / Neuro PCU)$2,062.59$291.961,555
Occupational Health (RN / Occ Health)$2,061.99$388.35308
Outpatient Clinic (RN / Outpatient)$2,058.09$427.595,440
Research / Clinical Research (RN / Research)$2,055.40$419.38125
Stroke / Neuro (RN / Stroke / Neuro)$2,051.07$239.71113
Sub-Acute (RN / Sub-Acute)$2,046.40$236.7510
Ambulatory Care (RN / Amb)$2,045.22$424.112,428
Orthopedic (RN / Ortho)$2,040.98$326.067,509
Radiology Technician (Allied / Rad Tech)$2,037.51$361.5036,569
Medical Surgical (RN / Med Surg)$2,035.32$343.86185,314
CVOR Technologist (Allied / CVOR Tech)$2,034.23$347.9916,187
Long Term Acute Care (RN / LTAC)$2,027.67$401.1713,966
Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (RN / CPCU)$2,026.34$226.692,842
Hospice (RN / Hospice)$2,022.33$331.868,701
Psychiatric - Mental Health (RN / Psych)$2,017.93$365.1521,189
Corrections (RN / Corr)$2,016.22$387.673,288
School Nurse (RN / School Nurse)$1,992.90$353.05158
Nurse Resident (RN / RN Resident)$1,957.83$168.036
Physical Therapy (Therapy / PT)$1,955.98$353.20163,178
Speech Language Pathologist (Allied / SLP)$1,952.22$319.8336,789
Respiratory Therapist (Allied / RT)$1,948.44$385.3052,645
Rehabilitation Therapy (Allied / Rehab Therapy)$1,926.94$427.55398
Occupational Therapy (Therapy / OT)$1,894.32$326.4549,903
Special Education Teacher (School Services / Special Ed)$1,892.66$422.52511
Electroencephalogram Technician (Allied / EEG Tech)$1,891.09$293.26865
Assistant Director of Nursing (RN / Asst. DON)$1,887.65$502.20265
Long Term Care (RN / LTC)$1,885.03$365.0624,160
Registered Dietician (Allied / RDCD)$1,869.89$306.57478
Charge Nurse (RN / Charge)$1,850.75$448.43270
Electroencephalogram Technologist (Allied / EEG Technologist)$1,847.79$296.771,345
Obstetric Technician (Allied / OB Tech)$1,836.44$376.01695
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (Allied / SLPA)$1,816.03$413.84111
Polysomnographer (Allied / Sleep Tech)$1,800.21$321.811,756
Skilled Nursing Facility (RN / SNF)$1,800.09$509.109,464
Rehabilitation (RN / Rehab)$1,799.23$449.8917,732
Medical Tech / Medical Laboratory Scientist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Allied / MT / MLS / CLS)$1,774.06$461.7113,069
Operating Room / Surgical Technician (Allied / OR / Surg Tech)$1,765.06$365.4365,489
Recreational Therapist (Therapy / RT)$1,740.53$479.6339
Histotechnician (Allied / HT)$1,696.00$381.241,771
Long Term Acute Care (LPN / LVN / LTAC)$1,661.13$284.1239
Emergency Department (LPN / LVN / ED)$1,619.97$372.69211
Telehealth (RN / Telehealth)$1,582.65$435.47123
Endoscopy Technician (Allied / Endo Tech)$1,566.93$360.591,097
Paramedic (Allied / Paramedic)$1,552.96$279.64201
Psychiatric - Mental Health (LPN / LVN / Psych)$1,547.13$259.43512
Anesthesia Technician (Allied / Anesthesia Tech)$1,544.40$283.95508
Home Health (LPN / LVN / HH)$1,517.56$206.063,015
Outpatient Clinic (Allied / Outpatient)$1,509.62$247.07109
Electrocardiograph Technician (Allied / EKG Tech)$1,492.38$505.3095
Telemetry (LPN / LVN / Tele)$1,473.94$279.59230
Corrections (LPN / LVN / Corr)$1,473.55$305.332,777
Hospice (LPN / LVN / Hospice)$1,458.46$258.05193
School Nurse (LPN / LVN / School Nurse)$1,442.09$269.9533
Long Term Care (LPN / LVN / LTC)$1,441.79$232.9725,794
Telemetry Monitor Technician (Allied / Tele / Monitor Tech)$1,407.38$350.54513
Outpatient Clinic (LPN / LVN / Outpatient)$1,402.32$453.473,367
Psychiatric - Mental Health Technician (Allied / Psych Tech)$1,393.59$590.20118
Physical Therapy Assistant (Therapy / PTA)$1,353.17$255.0233,021
Medical Surgical (LPN / LVN / Med Surg)$1,351.80$262.253,176
Home Health (CNA / HH)$1,340.40$611.983
( / Rehab)$1,326.44$263.61404
Dialysis Technician (Allied / Dialysis Tech)$1,325.65$206.48793
Pharmacy Technician (Allied / Pharm Tech)$1,312.16$328.55608
Emergency Department Technician (Allied / ED Tech)$1,307.07$338.23155
Occupational Therapy Assistant (Therapy / OTA)$1,305.79$233.335,495
Sterile Processing Technician (Allied / SPT)$1,284.17$258.614,519
LPN / LVN (LPN / LVN / LPN / LVN)$1,243.27$280.4719,921
Antepartum (RN / Antepartum)$1,214.44$536.161,148
Clerical (Non-Healthcare / Clerical)$1,186.75$655.4919
Phlebotomy (Allied / Phlebotomist)$1,162.43$447.05378
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA / CNA)$1,109.57$302.43210
Long Term Care (CNA / LTC)$1,105.14$238.90257
Patient Care Technician (Allied / PCT)$1,096.27$365.57447
Certified Medical Assistant (Allied / CMA)$1,072.63$401.131,099
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
SkyBridge Healthcare$1,851.24$375.619,970
Aureus Medical Group$2,144.62$403.8099,064
RKA Recruiting$2,360.99$461.91990
VitalHire$2,212.21$487.68968
Siemens Healthineers$2,729.59$306.64945
Greenstaff Medical$2,121.11$487.41938
Prime HealthCare Staffing$1,973.33$374.049,368
Trusted Health$2,133.02$524.23924
Republic Health Resources$2,065.03$524.10914
Innovate Healthcare Staffing$2,458.12$265.869
Reliable Source Talent$2,777.66$492.399
Jackson Therapy Partners$1,870.04$369.288,797
Reliant Staffing Solutions$2,241.48$272.51878
Nightingale Nurses$2,174.33$352.838,660
Delta Healthcare Providers$1,959.91$320.86864
MedWave Healthcare Staffing$2,214.70$346.07864
Arrow Healthcare Staffing and Recruiting$2,042.53$381.278,637
Med Ninjas$2,263.56$555.69859
Modern Healthcare Solutions$2,302.48$336.83841
Lifeline Medical Staffing$2,041.47$426.01839
Reliable Nurse Staffing$2,225.43$364.398,248
NuWest Group$2,187.31$436.068,180
Sunbelt Staffing$2,482.38$372.67811
B2B Staffing Services$2,528.76$375.5679
Specialty Professional Services$2,153.58$428.93789
Ventura MedStaff$2,052.95$453.117,811
Ethos Medical Staffing$2,085.05$387.627,669
PS Companies$2,508.79$320.77761
Prime Time Healthcare$2,392.25$355.437,558
Gifted Healthcare$2,099.47$556.437,451
Next Move, Inc.$2,098.65$334.167,325
Lead Health$2,204.97$402.187,234
Novo Connections$2,277.00$987.137
Treva Corporation$2,288.66$298.707
NURSES Etc. STAFFING$2,405.91$414.71686
Supplemental Health Care$1,843.59$471.3868,043
Froedtert Health$2,256.39$384.56659
IntellaPro Staffing$2,279.21$504.41642
Grady Works$1,962.68$251.3264
Premier Medical Staffing$2,060.82$382.336,374
TLC Nursing$2,056.96$527.786,297
ADEX Medical Staffing - Intl RN's to US$2,224.27$311.796,089
ATC Healthcare$2,678.43$1,203.816
CareerStaff Unlimited$3,369.50$3,218.316
Origin Travel Nurses$2,269.50$241.676
Soliant Health$2,410.11$481.46592
DT-Trak Consulting$2,657.94$399.28586
Host Healthcare$2,303.43$1,091.6458,284
LanceSoft$2,307.31$428.0958,008
Halcyon Nurse Staffing$2,189.57$377.82574
Solutions by Sanford$2,427.03$434.5857
TotalMed$2,081.38$374.7856,591
Planet Healthcare$2,132.57$428.0756,377
Providence Health Care Staffing$2,000.05$592.375,521
Triage Consulting Group$1,986.90$451.2354
Source Medical Staffing$2,113.15$431.505,340
Health Carousel$1,958.18$441.31533
Access Healthcare Staffing$2,181.52$434.8152,878
Tallavera$2,460.35$253.5052
OneStaff Medical$1,867.20$550.8451,783
GQR Healthcare$1,997.02$584.265,128
Meda Health$2,234.53$376.645,113
FlexUp Direct$2,078.99$525.505,076
Medasource$2,253.37$330.14507
Genie Healthcare$2,117.44$439.4650,550
Med Travelers (AMN Allied)$1,779.88$186.245
Insight Global$2,428.98$569.04496
Nurses First Solutions$2,093.24$451.794,823
Catapult Healthcare$2,261.46$497.134,762
Bestica$2,241.69$422.014,665
Accountable Healthcare Staffing$2,060.13$324.124,633
Health Carousel - Allied Travel$1,983.73$398.754,610
National Staffing$1,931.07$782.654,609
GrapeTree Medical Staffing$1,717.53$406.244,596
Aequor Healthcare$2,039.08$373.7745,461
Formation, Inc.$2,220.63$495.96453
American Mobile Healthcare (AMN)$2,322.09$487.494,526
Nurses 24/7$2,564.89$300.65445
CoreMedical Group$1,938.74$326.5444,331
KingFish Healthcare$2,129.40$354.95443
Plains Medical Staffing$2,121.14$439.74442
Vastek Inc.$2,288.31$371.934,387
Centra Healthcare$1,735.27$316.064,323
Junxion Med Staffing$2,046.70$382.5343
Infojini Healthcare$2,272.84$550.87428
SambaCare$2,272.35$460.154,274
American Medical Staffing$1,877.94$488.724,264
Premier Healthcare Professionals$2,213.96$451.0142,056
trustaff$2,077.89$344.964,193
Corratel Healthcare$2,544.03$486.39418
Critical Connection, inc$2,017.32$230.904,144
MedPro Healthcare Staffing$2,120.00$378.5741,137
Northside Hospital Choice+Local$2,073.64$444.22407
Revolution Healthcare Services$2,173.08$470.504,061
Cure Healthcare Staffing$2,331.19$322.104,053
Nurse Hustle$2,149.64$333.15403
Aura Staffing Partners$2,331.00$378.004
Headwaters Healthcare$2,861.14$557.464
Mynela Staffing$1,972.20$109.294
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions$2,016.02$341.9539,123
Lucid Staffing Solutions$2,434.30$723.97391
Cross Country Healthcare$2,076.12$470.3038,887
Excel Medical Staffing$2,213.00$512.253,846
ARM Staffing$2,110.43$386.043,729
Convergence Medical Staffing$2,434.51$1,420.4436
United Staffing Solutions$2,325.86$493.55359
Cambay Healthcare$2,275.83$475.68355
Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health)$2,133.10$368.9534,540
Alto Healthcare Staffing$2,273.34$576.17345
Medical Solutions$2,116.65$434.3634,232
Care Partners Staffing$2,079.16$346.11342
eTeam Inc$2,194.17$483.343,407
Blu Medstaff$1,874.03$349.20340
Mindlance Health$2,276.83$434.27339
LeaderStat$2,180.57$373.7733,858
Go Healthcare$2,026.38$414.5533,011
Professional Nursing Service$2,542.51$377.35326
Kiwi Healthcare$2,244.64$329.2532
Thrive Staffing$2,097.29$435.403,184
Remede Consulting Group, Inc.$2,245.61$333.773,059
Raisso Inc.$2,348.44$278.21304
All Medical Personnel$1,604.10$433.623
White Glove Placement$2,495.96$312.59292
Refined Medical Staffing$2,184.88$394.252,872
Excite Health Partners$2,726.21$444.56287
Medical Talent$2,127.18$463.74285
ADN Healthcare$2,232.34$374.3728,026
MedUS Healthcare$2,203.36$349.982,799
TRS Healthcare$2,075.53$426.4127,886
Cynet Health$2,123.10$459.122,787
FocusPoint$2,818.00$602.1627
Nurse First Travel Agency$2,178.53$335.1926,639
Stability Healthcare$2,146.72$374.7426,453
MedicalPeople Staffing, LLC$2,490.92$428.66261
Healthcare Staffing - IDR, Inc$1,981.74$466.1726,067
CT Assist$2,506.71$871.6526
City Mobile Group$2,178.95$380.072,529
GHR Travel Nursing$2,182.71$310.5625,235
Summit Medical Staffing$2,152.79$752.8924,923
Atlas MedStaff$1,985.53$325.96249
Innovent Global$2,259.39$357.25244
TLC Travel Staff$2,155.37$433.482,419
Galaxy Healthcare$2,228.44$303.302,404
Favorite Healthcare Staffing$2,101.30$319.262,383
Uniti Med$1,974.49$503.5823,799
Pluto Healthcare Staffing$2,156.91$270.82233
Voyage Healthcare$2,178.10$348.282,322
Advantis Medical Staffing$2,023.19$383.4823,134
Fastaff Travel Nursing$2,603.29$458.24230
Destination Travelcare$2,127.30$322.112,296
Becker Health$2,352.32$375.26229
Anders Group$2,121.91$404.0722,782
Healthcare Support$2,102.48$376.6522,569
RNnetwork$1,970.72$616.1422,112
PRIDE Health$2,192.70$432.8722,074
Vital Workforce Solutions$2,157.03$308.2422
The Judge Group$2,566.23$440.852,194
WorkSquare$1,929.05$366.68218
Travel Nurse Across America$2,146.26$361.3521,671
Firstat Medical Staffing$2,254.43$465.332,165
AHS Staffing$2,069.64$366.6121,487
Connected Health Care$2,183.70$456.532,146
Synergy Medical Staffing$1,969.93$479.0021,217
Magnet Medical$2,157.65$443.1021,192
The Good Life MedStaff$2,175.78$453.292,116
ALOIS Healthcare$2,110.97$406.6121,144
ADEX Healthcare Staffing - US Travel Nursing$2,174.20$388.4021,018
Axis Medical Staffing$2,171.94$322.2821
Peregrine Team$2,379.22$477.44207
Malone Healthcare Solutions$2,339.48$354.862,052
The Stepping Stones Group$1,893.26$320.79202
KPG Healthcare$2,260.00$869.3919,273
American Traveler$2,151.38$348.3919,239
Lifeline Healthcare Professionals$2,495.28$348.69191
Marvel Medical Staffing$1,938.71$380.8718,929
Onyx Health Care Staffing$2,256.62$519.18186
Amare Medical Network$2,209.75$407.82185
ICONMA$2,311.74$339.27179
3D Medical Staffing$2,219.24$394.101,747
GetMed Staffing, Inc.$1,820.96$424.4517,235
Health Specialists, Inc.$2,180.35$319.481,723
Medmasa$2,997.12$712.04172
Ink - A Healthcare Staffing Co.$2,492.58$339.4417
Pulse Healthcare Services$2,217.15$520.711,695
Focus Staff$2,123.34$442.5116,611
Open Door Personnel$2,197.02$435.39166
Coast Medical Service$2,125.85$395.6816,577
PRN Healthcare$2,114.54$377.4516,480
LRS Healthcare$2,164.15$371.7516,465
TheraEX Staffing Services$2,211.29$572.121,601
MAS Medical Staffing$1,985.89$474.221,587
Aya Healthcare$2,559.91$585.82157
TactStaff$2,189.10$360.8715,650
Spire Workforce Solutions$2,292.91$355.231,561
GLC On-The-Go$1,887.06$450.6715,541
Avani Healthcare Staffing$1,999.86$393.761,543
RCM Healthcare Services$2,155.82$318.671,528
Jackson Nurse Professionals$2,109.29$411.7914,931
Marshall Healthcare Staffing$2,100.53$560.561,482
Consolidated Medical Travel$2,599.76$435.101,479
Health Advocates Network$2,247.71$392.9114,723
Nationwide Therapy Group$1,769.50$521.3114,606
Journey Healthcare Solutions$2,107.63$359.03146
Solomon Page$2,177.79$435.8314,533
CareTeam Solutions$2,067.14$364.6614,496
Fusion Medical Staffing$2,015.58$377.3414,494
Guardian HealthStaff, LLC.$2,070.60$338.791,432
Sharp Medical Staffinglife$2,159.56$417.7814,227
Trusted Resource Associates (TRA)$2,238.71$416.031,412
iDeal Personnel$2,078.51$389.521,409
Trinity Health FirstChoice$2,403.65$426.451,404
AMN Healthcare Allied$2,012.75$474.1914,002
RTG Medical$1,990.47$412.2213,903
FlexCare Medical Staffing$2,165.67$395.8013,645
Zack Group$2,081.52$410.3213,334
Vocaday$2,094.44$462.7613,308
Lahey Health$2,517.68$401.30132
Vibra Travels$2,132.43$284.3113,117
SojouRN$2,531.09$532.16130
Vighter$2,346.28$342.321,296
RightPro Staffing$2,174.60$391.671,292
Ardor Health Solutions$2,040.58$376.0612,771
Assured Nursing$2,019.89$423.1612,667
Springboard Healthcare$2,356.69$346.3212,637
Beyond Medical Staffing$1,986.88$381.651,262
Fiber Staffing$1,993.68$300.681,251
QS Nurses$2,033.37$397.211,240
Phaxis$2,138.56$360.051,216
Seven Healthcare$2,278.38$433.041,207
Wellspring Nurse Source$2,183.38$388.8012,031
Travel Nurses Inc.$2,064.00$395.6311,974
Custom Healthcare Solutions$2,047.13$366.98118
AB Staffing Solutions$2,171.05$503.791,168
CrossMed$2,002.10$364.7811,638
Millbrook$2,595.21$323.95115
HumanEdge$2,087.90$367.001,106
Alliance Medical Staffing$2,096.90$455.301,095
Rock Medical Group$2,308.91$480.261,085
Aptiva Healthcare$2,630.87$537.80107
Skyline Med Staff$1,925.18$420.7110,532
Triage Staffing$2,046.06$669.26104,664
MSSI$2,379.79$417.871,036
Titan Medical Group$2,203.83$388.4310,289
TinkBird Healthcare Staffing$2,316.12$412.851,026
Bluebird Staffing$2,135.31$336.961,018
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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