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.
This travel nurse salary guide should make finding fair pay a breeze as you peruse current pay packages perched on your kitchen counter with coffee.

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.

Travel nurse smiling with a laptop next to a tip to research the field before contacting agencies
Don't count on agencies to teach you travel nursing basics - coming in with a knowledge base will help you land great jobs faster and avoid falling into bad deals.

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)_/¯

Travel nurse pay breakdown with mixed pay intervals and a nurse asking what her weekly check is
Travel nurse pay packages mix different pay intervals. Some amounts are weekly, some monthly, some one-time payments. So the totals rarely line up until you convert them to one rate.

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$1.67
$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.
Do your math: Break down all your travel nurse income into weekly and hourly pay estimates to easily compare pay packages. This breakdown is for a standard travel RN contract: 13 weeks, 36 hrs/wk, 468 hrs/contract.

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.

Blended rate graphic: weekly pay broken into one hourly rate, e.g. $2,340/week is about $65/hour
Learning how to calculate your "blended rate" will help you compare pay packages fast.

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 OfferTax-Free?
$400 M&IE (Meals & Incidental Expenses)YES ✅
$800 Housing StipendYES ✅
$60 Travel ReimbursementYES ✅
$1,080 Hourly Base RateNO ❌
$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$2,467.51$514.459,952
California$2,412.99$502.24108,233
New York$2,365.07$436.6180,461
Vermont$2,350.10$580.4517,658
Massachusetts$2,348.74$469.7366,903
North Dakota$2,311.16$448.4715,740
Connecticut$2,300.85$484.2014,323
Wisconsin$2,297.58$617.3953,297
Rhode Island$2,260.84$463.394,001
South Dakota$2,253.87$497.5515,233
Oregon$2,252.30$439.0727,245
Illinois$2,251.87$433.1956,687
New Jersey$2,237.93$461.4526,069
Nebraska$2,236.43$383.5020,214
New Hampshire$2,235.65$456.1327,441
Minnesota$2,225.37$523.9118,482
Washington$2,222.50$404.2946,350
West Virginia$2,202.81$387.4619,558
Utah$2,201.78$403.013,519
Hawaii$2,200.19$425.8313,384
Arizona$2,184.91$365.8740,234
Montana$2,180.43$403.8317,287
District Of Columbia$2,175.47$379.405,558
Delaware$2,174.91$466.473,413
Idaho$2,173.51$402.608,182
Pennsylvania$2,171.58$417.1440,189
Nevada$2,168.59$398.256,546
Iowa$2,162.48$391.9638,474
Wyoming$2,156.98$388.837,156
Colorado$2,149.90$434.1137,982
Ohio$2,146.68$396.6549,878
Maine$2,141.50$430.2219,579
Michigan$2,119.09$441.7033,069
Kentucky$2,117.15$347.7621,532
Virginia$2,113.42$375.8449,573
Oklahoma$2,107.33$350.3723,243
Indiana$2,096.95$373.2532,100
Missouri$2,078.06$346.2135,042
Maryland$2,053.44$385.5828,080
Kansas$2,038.49$400.0622,457
Louisiana$2,020.54$366.8212,464
Arkansas$1,997.89$379.719,020
South Carolina$1,971.33$355.5627,321
North Carolina$1,971.10$336.4671,090
Tennessee$1,955.67$330.9325,591
Georgia$1,940.06$355.6862,297
New Mexico$1,921.73$433.8326,343
Florida$1,920.93$334.5147,174
Texas$1,913.66$381.4376,376
Mississippi$1,885.69$351.706,931
Alabama$1,850.81$294.6016,678
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.
Top 5 highest-paying states for travel nurses pre-Covid: California, New Jersey, DC, Alaska, Connecticut
Compare the state of travel nursing demand pre-covid to now. California is still top for both pay and job availability. But the next 4 slots have shifted - see our interactive pay explorer above for more.

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

What's the highest-paying travel nurse specialty? Nurse with a list including RNFA, Flight, PICU
The highest paying travel nurse specialties overall since 2019.

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)$987.03$282.22529
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA / CNA)$906.13$274.00162
Physicist (Non-Healthcare / Phys)$5,462.67$1,130.46316
Perfusionist (Allied / Perf)$5,156.97$1,064.87415
Psychologist (Allied / CP)$3,037.77$1,211.7852
Dosimetrist (Allied / Dosimetrist)$3,035.27$490.78156
Audiologist (Allied / Aud)$2,857.42$725.17212
Assistant Director of Nursing (RN / Asst. DON)$2,824.78$812.5680
Doctor of Pharmacy (Allied / PharmD)$2,757.24$500.794,405
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RN / RNFA)$2,740.40$619.441,756
Pathology Assistant (Allied / Path Asst)$2,711.56$581.00477
Assistant Nurse Manager (RN / Asst RN Mgr)$2,676.83$547.144
Nurse Manager (RN / RN Mgr)$2,663.80$695.362,381
Interventional Radiology Technologist (Allied / IR Tech)$2,661.86$412.3218,394
Nurse Educator (RN / Education)$2,627.23$699.97346
Patient Care Coordinator (RN / PCC)$2,609.67$406.3753
Cardiovascular Cath Lab Technologist (Allied / Cardiac Cath Lab Tech)$2,596.97$409.8034,688
Administrative (RN / Admin)$2,592.16$567.67199
Director of Nursing (RN / DON)$2,581.76$666.05878
Special Procedures Technologist (Allied / Special Procedures Tech)$2,576.11$438.48598
Critical Care Flight / Transport Nurse (RN / Flight)$2,570.03$372.8342
House Supervisor (Supervisor / House Sup)$2,558.53$498.791,507
Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / Peds CVICU)$2,547.58$366.89698
Electrophysiology Lab Technician (Allied / EP Lab Tech)$2,533.17$379.783,736
Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / CVOR)$2,533.17$447.3416,140
Interventional Radiology (RN / IR)$2,516.61$400.849,246
Cardiac Cath Lab (RN / Cath Lab)$2,508.98$375.3030,195
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Allied / CNMT)$2,508.98$401.1111,562
Electrophysiology Lab (RN / EP Lab)$2,497.58$384.842,456
Radiotherapist (Allied / Radiotherapy)$2,473.64$442.279,344
Computed Tomography Technologist (Allied / CT Tech)$2,469.73$406.7986,521
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (RN / PICU)$2,465.91$481.678,631
Radiology (RN / Radiology)$2,463.74$316.831,875
Special Procedures (RN / Special Procedures)$2,448.10$325.3094
Diagnostic Radiologist (Allied / Radiologist)$2,435.94$317.46282
Pediatric Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / Peds CVOR)$2,435.77$365.7583
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (School Services / BCBA)$2,433.82$546.18219
Pediatric Oncology (RN / Peds Onc)$2,430.72$871.1148
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist (RN / CDI)$2,429.92$239.9757
MRI Technologist (Allied / MRI Technologist)$2,427.94$393.1229,285
Mammography Tech (Allied / Mammo Tech)$2,426.14$393.279,620
Pediatric Operating Room (RN / Peds OR)$2,423.94$359.971,192
Infection Control (RN / Infection)$2,422.86$631.01309
Labor & Delivery (RN / L&D)$2,412.95$429.5561,392
MRI Technician (Allied / MRI Tech)$2,387.94$352.7710,581
Echocardiograph Technologist (Allied / Echo Technologist)$2,370.80$326.934,795
Echo-Vascular Technician (Allied / Echo/Vasc Tech)$2,353.83$615.221,604
Wound Care (RN / Wound)$2,346.18$460.232,126
Admissions (RN / ADM)$2,340.80$268.8726
Nurse Navigator (RN / RN Navigator)$2,332.76$355.9250
Charge Nurse (RN / Charge)$2,311.73$474.44135
Utilization Review (RN / UR)$2,309.27$447.71314
Pediatric Hematology - Oncology (RN / Peds Heme/Onc)$2,304.09$336.05395
Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / Peds PACU)$2,302.54$436.15317
Vascular Access Nurse (RN / PICC RN)$2,296.13$409.60249
Echocardiograph Technician (Allied / Echo Tech)$2,294.48$329.724,913
Same Day Surgery (RN / SDS)$2,286.90$265.676
OB/GYN (RN / OB/GYN)$2,286.31$424.313,575
Pediatric Progressive Care Unit (RN / Peds PCU)$2,285.87$256.87364
Case Management (RN / CM)$2,285.40$446.079,211
Cytotechnologist (Allied / Cyto)$2,285.34$391.45548
Surgical Oncology (RN / Surg Onc)$2,280.54$244.94121
School Psychologist, Certified (School Services / NCSP)$2,279.51$363.67513
Cardiology (RN / Cardio)$2,279.04$356.54958
Pediatric Emergency Department (RN / Peds ED)$2,275.15$418.291,512
Vascular Technologist (Allied / RVT)$2,274.71$395.112,177
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / CVICU)$2,271.72$391.1016,206
Ultrasound Technologist (Allied / US Technologist)$2,269.34$368.0720,402
Therapeutic Apheresis (RN / Apheresis)$2,264.32$357.6187
Clinical Nurse Coordinator (RN / CNC)$2,257.02$391.93118
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RN / NICU)$2,252.15$397.3715,903
Urgent Care (RN / Urgent Care)$2,252.05$412.26210
Float Pool (RN / Float)$2,251.23$302.231,279
Operating Room (RN / OR)$2,249.87$388.9962,803
Coronary Care Unit (RN / CCU)$2,249.75$310.242,976
Infusion Therapy (RN / Infusion)$2,240.52$344.982,291
Obstetric Ultrasound - Sonographer (Allied / OB/GYN US)$2,232.12$489.91164
Hematology (RN / Heme)$2,229.86$282.8696
Pediatrics (RN / Peds)$2,228.64$358.656,380
Ultrasound-Sonography Technician (Allied / US/Sono Tech)$2,228.37$330.616,157
Neurology Intensive Care Unit (RN / Neuro ICU)$2,211.65$286.772,826
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (RN / CTICU)$2,205.87$293.96591
Ambulatory Care (RN / Amb)$2,202.58$366.611,168
Direct Observation Unit (RN / DOU)$2,198.70$309.00901
Transplant (RN / Transplant)$2,190.55$531.85211
Bone Marrow Transplant (RN / BMT)$2,188.62$272.51668
Orthopedic Neurology (RN / Ortho / Neuro)$2,185.41$306.2130
Pain Management (RN / Pain Mgt)$2,183.17$386.9153
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (RN / SICU)$2,177.17$365.461,169
Step Down Unit (RN / SDU)$2,173.54$267.4211,339
Burn Intensive Care Unit (RN / BICU)$2,169.98$382.73342
Hematology / Oncology (RN / Heme / Onc)$2,160.81$314.761,233
Lactation (RN / Lactation)$2,159.67$221.4036
Nephrology (RN / Neph)$2,157.78$346.83167
Intensive Care Unit (RN / ICU)$2,157.12$352.6870,080
Hospice (RN / Hospice)$2,156.85$400.445,087
Visual Impairments Teacher (School Services / School)$2,149.82$344.7832
Radiology Technologist (Allied / X-Ray Technologist)$2,144.38$398.5933,917
Endoscopy (RN / Endo)$2,141.83$376.926,511
Oncology (RN / Onc)$2,141.29$328.4814,036
Postpartum (RN / PP)$2,135.97$427.944,809
Emergency Department (RN / ED)$2,134.54$336.9093,569
Certified Surgical First Assistant (Allied / CSFA)$2,130.31$330.462,415
Gastrointestinal Lab (RN / GI Lab)$2,129.97$337.061,194
Neurology (RN / Neuro)$2,128.57$345.913,742
Acute Care (RN / Acute)$2,124.66$362.792,973
Public Health (RN / Pub Hlth)$2,124.52$203.164
Dialysis (RN / Dialysis)$2,121.66$292.587,160
Cardiac Stepdown Unit (RN / CSDU)$2,117.00$294.283,829
X-Ray Technician (Allied / X-Ray Tech)$2,116.07$268.67922
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / PACU)$2,114.67$363.8920,488
Postoperative (RN / Post-op)$2,111.62$324.2245
Home Health (RN / HH)$2,110.98$369.8118,610
Progressive Care Unit (RN / PCU)$2,106.02$315.0945,744
Trauma Intensive Care Unit (RN / TICU)$2,104.38$340.291,056
Radiology Technician (Allied / Rad Tech)$2,101.06$421.7816,250
Telemetry (RN / Tele)$2,092.35$336.0946,875
Medical Surgical Telemetry (RN / Med Surg Tele)$2,089.70$289.5162,677
Outpatient Clinic (RN / Outpatient)$2,084.02$357.884,294
Telehealth (RN / Telehealth)$2,077.56$254.80103
Research / Clinical Research (RN / Research)$2,075.77$457.4465
CVOR Technologist (Allied / CVOR Tech)$2,069.99$384.0810,454
Home Health (Allied / HH)$2,047.04$382.678
Physical Therapy (Therapy / PT)$2,045.48$322.80124,449
Perioperative (RN / Peri-op)$2,042.77$384.391,553
Psychiatric - Mental Health (RN / Psych)$2,042.02$328.4014,627
Respiratory Therapist (Allied / RT)$2,041.71$368.3740,140
Medical Surgical (RN / Med Surg)$2,040.61$346.6088,252
Occupational Health (RN / Occ Health)$2,028.56$289.32167
Long Term Acute Care (RN / LTAC)$2,026.44$330.7910,690
Orthopedic (RN / Ortho)$2,022.21$293.142,863
Speech Language Pathologist (Allied / SLP)$2,018.99$321.8432,084
Urology (RN / Urology)$2,018.05$344.45186
Neurology Progressive Care Unit (RN / Neuro PCU)$2,016.01$297.48988
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Allied / LCSW)$2,003.46$460.912,981
Occupational Therapy (Therapy / OT)$1,983.22$330.2444,652
Corrections (RN / Corr)$1,979.95$320.544,082
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RN / CRNA)$1,972.31$1,989.18124
Rehabilitation (RN / Rehab)$1,969.34$336.149,947
Stroke / Neuro (RN / Stroke / Neuro)$1,953.68$320.4283
Antepartum (RN / Antepartum)$1,945.73$679.42215
Skilled Nursing Facility (RN / SNF)$1,942.03$398.585,891
Registered Dietician (Allied / RDCD)$1,937.12$224.65880
Recreational Therapist (Therapy / RT)$1,936.73$287.2095
Clerical (Non-Healthcare / Clerical)$1,931.46$976.849
Rehabilitation Therapy (Allied / Rehab Therapy)$1,926.20$377.411,316
Polysomnographer (Allied / Sleep Tech)$1,894.69$292.391,514
School Nurse (RN / School Nurse)$1,891.39$368.64190
Long Term Care (RN / LTC)$1,887.34$331.0617,727
Obstetric Technician (Allied / OB Tech)$1,884.45$379.66521
Special Education Teacher (School Services / Special Ed)$1,881.09$542.551,047
Electroencephalogram Technologist (Allied / EEG Technologist)$1,845.13$295.321,044
Electroencephalogram Technician (Allied / EEG Tech)$1,836.92$269.96720
Emergency Department (LPN / LVN / ED)$1,833.37$585.4250
Medical Tech / Medical Laboratory Scientist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Allied / MT / MLS / CLS)$1,791.08$478.098,924
Operating Room / Surgical Technician (Allied / OR / Surg Tech)$1,786.67$367.4927,708
Outpatient Clinic (Allied / Outpatient)$1,775.56$461.5015
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (Allied / SLPA)$1,756.51$304.41368
Paramedic (Allied / Paramedic)$1,735.01$387.17231
Histotechnician (Allied / HT)$1,651.59$296.60371
School Nurse (LPN / LVN / School Nurse)$1,640.51$285.7960
Psychiatric - Mental Health (LPN / LVN / Psych)$1,584.45$234.57291
Hospice (LPN / LVN / Hospice)$1,584.39$295.67120
Emergency Department Technician (Allied / ED Tech)$1,568.97$441.7989
Endoscopy Technician (Allied / Endo Tech)$1,565.25$308.351,069
Vaccinations (RN / Vax)$1,557.30$61.604
Telemetry (LPN / LVN / Tele)$1,549.22$401.3446
Home Health (LPN / LVN / HH)$1,545.29$200.261,600
Long Term Acute Care (LPN / LVN / LTAC)$1,521.86$180.726
Long Term Care (LPN / LVN / LTC)$1,464.91$235.0016,566
Anesthesia Technician (Allied / Anesthesia Tech)$1,452.41$278.04534
Corrections (LPN / LVN / Corr)$1,443.82$235.132,403
Electrocardiograph Technician (Allied / EKG Tech)$1,415.47$439.75105
Outpatient Clinic (LPN / LVN / Outpatient)$1,413.07$303.112,448
Medical Surgical (LPN / LVN / Med Surg)$1,399.18$256.691,054
Occupational Therapy Assistant (Therapy / OTA)$1,398.50$280.302,190
Physical Therapy Assistant (Therapy / PTA)$1,395.65$235.7028,767
Pharmacy Technician (Allied / Pharm Tech)$1,387.80$449.44629
Telemetry Monitor Technician (Allied / Tele / Monitor Tech)$1,384.83$372.62439
( / Rehab)$1,364.51$272.62157
LPN / LVN (LPN / LVN / LPN / LVN)$1,352.10$285.017,157
Medical Surgical (CNA / Med Surg)$1,286.56$318.9537
Sterile Processing Technician (Allied / SPT)$1,264.53$266.733,552
Dialysis Technician (Allied / Dialysis Tech)$1,252.73$197.40725
Phlebotomy (Allied / Phlebotomist)$1,122.54$316.15463
Long Term Care (CNA / LTC)$1,107.69$238.8098
Psychiatric - Mental Health Technician (Allied / Psych Tech)$1,053.52$262.9348
Patient Care Technician (Allied / PCT)$1,038.11$259.60362
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 Land 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.

Travel nurse cheering next to a contract under a magnifying glass, on finding a top-paying job
My top tips to landing the highest paying jobs? Research the job market and work with multiple agencies.

After analyzing the market for 5+ years, here's our best advice:

  • Research travel nursing BEFORE talking to agencies
  • Have your travel nurse requirements ready
  • Get a compact state license and/or multiple state licenses for your top locations
  • Find your top paying agencies & locations using our interactive pay explorer
  • Compare your highest-paying travel nursing jobs easily
  • Vet agencies incognito with jobs you like on StellarNurse.com
  • Work with 2-5 travel nurse agencies to compare contracts
  • Use your "blended rate" for quick pay comparisons
  • Apply to multiple jobs with multiple agencies
  • Be flexible on locations
  • 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

You should work with 2-5 travel nurse agencies to land the highest paying travel nursing jobs.

But which travel nurse companies?

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.

Travel nurse weighing her options while hands hold out bills, more agencies more offers
Work with 2-5 agencies to find, compare, negotiate and apply to jobs.

After analyzing 10 million jobs over the past 5+ years, we’ve organized our data to help you make informed decisions on which agencies to contact first.

Find the 2-5 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$2,283.86$387.66995
Magnet Medical$2,211.61$426.569,827
The Stepping Stones Group$1,916.04$286.4697
ADEX Healthcare Staffing - US Travel Nursing$2,258.69$359.859,659
Focus Staff$2,151.13$406.739,557
KPG Healthcare$2,185.14$446.659,457
Trinity Health FirstChoice$2,504.58$374.47941
Prime HealthCare Staffing$2,073.90$328.439,337
DT-Trak Consulting$2,750.35$516.6792
Halcyon Nurse Staffing$2,626.32$621.5092
Galaxy Healthcare$2,258.05$389.02905
Pulse Healthcare Services$2,626.99$386.00903
Lahey Health$2,278.59$673.199
GQR Healthcare$2,002.10$514.168,882
Avani Healthcare Staffing$2,121.61$371.55884
MSSI$2,462.35$393.16874
Nurse First Travel Agency$2,220.87$351.448,708
Jackson Therapy Partners$1,850.67$354.438,659
Springboard Healthcare$2,476.70$358.248,580
Prime Time Healthcare$2,399.45$396.328,577
Jackson Nurse Professionals$2,123.12$403.608,487
Vibra Travels$2,105.37$354.088,422
Sunbelt Staffing$2,509.54$452.11830
MedUS Healthcare$2,242.86$348.20821
Greenstaff Medical$2,382.67$405.0181
CareTeam Solutions$2,151.92$368.097,974
Specialty Professional Services$1,973.41$446.98781
SkyBridge Healthcare$1,867.51$596.907,808
CareNational$2,453.91$365.4078
Ethos Medical Staffing$2,150.63$375.737,778
Nomad Health$2,183.95$367.707,753
Trusted Resource Associates (TRA)$2,369.38$421.73771
Healthcare Staffing 24/7$2,228.48$343.407,692
Critical Connection, inc$1,990.27$324.417,493
Health Advocates Network$2,176.65$399.047,130
NURSES Etc. STAFFING$2,316.28$338.02708
LanceSoft$2,380.62$491.3669,779
Ardor Health Solutions$1,944.14$352.066,924
Bestica$2,261.81$419.846,853
Grady Works$1,861.76$335.1867
Meda Health$2,220.95$437.196,692
MAS Medical Staffing$1,984.83$376.31665
Formation, Inc.$3,115.64$586.1766
Marvel Medical Staffing$2,279.44$303.6166
Pluto Healthcare Staffing$2,159.19$279.74658
Skyline Med Staff$1,884.89$447.586,502
Supplemental Health Care$1,933.41$415.2362,943
NuWest Group$2,009.51$392.636,248
Thrive Staffing$2,172.60$393.90613
Nightingale Nurses$2,134.68$401.486,063
Novo Connections$1,838.22$514.426
Seven Healthcare$2,163.59$533.545,933
Destination Travelcare$2,300.26$350.07591
Scout Nurse Staffing$2,275.34$420.4859
Triage Staffing$2,109.40$754.3357,728
RKA Recruiting$2,383.04$384.19557
Advantis Medical Staffing$2,091.92$358.185,504
AB Staffing Solutions$2,374.64$558.39540
eTeam Inc$2,237.94$557.58540
Health Carousel$2,177.91$317.47539
MedPro Healthcare Staffing$2,161.59$369.1152,045
RightPro Staffing$2,242.44$318.8951
TLC Nursing$2,078.72$400.635,069
The Judge Group$2,393.93$459.185,058
Modern Healthcare Solutions$2,411.85$337.79504
Zack Group$2,051.66$443.854,942
SojouRN$2,202.06$284.4049
Siemens Healthineers$2,723.71$351.27479
The Good Life MedStaff$2,147.12$378.974,707
Genie Healthcare$2,141.03$400.6746,717
Medasource$2,215.76$427.02463
Reliable Nurse Staffing$2,237.33$376.424,627
Reliant Staffing Solutions$2,345.07$348.08452
American Medical Staffing$1,856.45$429.544,419
trustaff$2,162.92$391.7943,027
HumanEdge$2,155.27$413.954,276
White Glove Placement$2,378.48$690.98427
Host Healthcare$2,345.41$1,002.9540,502
PS Companies$2,464.84$284.85401
ARM Staffing$2,193.83$364.004,000
Consolidated Medical Travel$2,547.81$408.16399
Favorite Healthcare Staffing$2,399.86$452.24399
Connected Health Care$2,138.37$408.743,913
TactStaff$2,316.11$379.37381
TNAA and TotalMed$2,130.93$371.9338,051
MedWave Healthcare Staffing$2,183.00$504.233,658
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions$2,070.84$333.5036,242
SambaCare$2,127.67$484.323,582
ProMed Staffing Resources$2,494.04$489.96357
Junxion Med Staffing$2,098.84$394.493,542
OneStaff Medical$2,265.68$545.073,531
Cross Country Healthcare$2,170.81$456.6634,341
ICONMA$2,446.75$374.80342
Lucid Staffing Solutions$2,208.70$536.443,255
Blu Medstaff$1,968.52$437.95324
Premier Healthcare Professionals$2,267.35$429.823,212
MedicalPeople Staffing, LLC$2,810.67$431.2232
Travel Nurses Inc.$2,094.44$360.1731,453
Premier Medical Staffing$2,165.45$315.4531,392
Nurses 24/7$2,596.73$306.92304
VitalHire$2,265.84$467.83299
Health Carousel - Allied Travel$2,050.52$387.762,906
Marshall Healthcare Staffing$2,211.53$494.61289
TRS Healthcare$2,165.25$411.3628,658
Aptiva Healthcare$2,636.39$630.08282
CoreMedical Group$1,874.51$412.8328,137
AHS Staffing$2,094.22$387.2427,903
Alto Healthcare Staffing$2,182.71$427.22277
Stability Healthcare$2,260.26$393.2227,208
Bluebird Staffing$2,021.87$486.32272
Centra Healthcare$1,777.52$364.362,676
GHR Travel Nursing$2,226.92$356.0426,563
Vastek Inc.$2,214.52$321.08256
Excite Health Partners$2,503.30$457.49253
GetMed Staffing, Inc.$1,838.18$373.0525,280
American Mobile Healthcare (AMN)$2,206.35$427.452,521
GrapeTree Medical Staffing$1,941.52$415.352,521
Assured Nursing$2,109.64$438.0624,808
Raisso Inc.$2,335.58$374.09248
LeaderStat$2,277.24$354.8224,622
Concentric Healthcare Staffing$2,137.83$393.712,430
Innovent Global$2,460.69$784.47241
Custom Healthcare Solutions$2,154.40$338.9024
Solomon Page$2,301.47$431.6423,603
RCM Healthcare Services$1,833.34$309.57226
Alliance Medical Staffing$1,942.72$518.11223
FlexCare Medical Staffing$2,358.12$335.672,229
FlexUp Direct$2,105.82$463.26217
Soliant Health$2,600.06$632.23217
TheraEX Staffing Services$2,411.88$701.542,131
GLC On-The-Go$2,017.48$411.9821,032
Malone Healthcare Solutions$2,293.85$326.9420,332
Gifted Healthcare$2,163.84$303.842,002
Northside Hospital Choice+Local$1,732.71$366.7420
Froedtert Health$2,279.09$358.30195
Cure Healthcare Staffing$2,415.57$383.051,902
Nurses First Solutions$1,960.19$424.041,890
ALOIS Healthcare$2,156.30$373.2518,810
Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health)$2,260.02$376.9718,704
Excel Medical Staffing$2,394.15$386.661,856
Voca Healthcare$2,271.83$398.4618,525
Medical Solutions$2,152.49$431.6717,988
Access Healthcare Staffing$2,253.58$412.9417,984
Uniti Med$2,039.38$566.8617,896
Infojini Healthcare$2,382.94$483.70176
Coast Medical Service$2,222.33$354.8617,599
PRIDE Health$2,226.04$428.8817,527
Fiber Staffing$2,179.95$218.77175
AMN Healthcare Allied$2,003.67$455.1117,323
Summit Medical Staffing$2,210.73$502.931,731
Healthcare Staffing - IDR, Inc$2,201.07$409.3617,290
Aequor Healthcare$2,111.65$371.2117,245
Source Medical Staffing$2,211.39$493.381,713
Wellspring Nurse Source$2,252.66$391.7616,888
Healthcare Support$2,079.11$382.0716,535
Catapult Healthcare$2,280.26$548.53161
Titan Medical Group$2,221.90$436.531,607
CrossMed$2,032.09$368.7915,796
Amare Medical Network$2,143.96$388.311,553
LRS Healthcare$2,162.18$335.9115,508
Nationwide Therapy Group$1,902.76$499.8415,454
Spire Workforce Solutions$2,177.56$388.081,506
Insight Global$2,304.24$557.09150
MARS Solutions Group$2,521.22$522.6415
Phaxis$2,139.73$382.05141
Synergy Medical Staffing$1,944.31$496.0314,097
Medmasa$3,130.95$492.5014
Go Healthcare$2,056.50$351.2713,639
Upstate Works$2,170.51$507.44134
Fusion Medical Staffing$2,350.77$1,012.1113,397
Arrow Healthcare Staffing and Recruiting$2,102.16$403.061,314
Lifeline Medical Staffing$2,003.38$380.421,312
Voyage Healthcare$2,273.14$288.461,293
ADN Healthcare$2,245.47$367.7412,858
B2B Staffing Services$2,210.84$616.341,254
Planet Healthcare$2,185.38$424.8512,259
Remede Consulting Group, Inc.$2,368.46$439.131,223
American Traveler$2,266.59$351.4112,107
Millbrook$2,657.11$398.18121
Anders Group$2,179.64$459.5711,783
Medical Talent$2,253.04$363.341,139
Refined Medical Staffing$2,202.35$367.471,137
Revolution Healthcare Services$2,176.10$424.901,111
CT Assist$3,346.12$247.1911
Wayward Medical$2,168.16$402.03108
PRN Healthcare$2,262.38$389.5810,753
Next Move, Inc.$2,110.49$298.301,068
iDeal Personnel$2,306.29$462.971,026
United Staffing Solutions$2,377.52$448.221,006
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.

✅ Your travel nurse agencies should have:

  • Pay you deserve
  • Jobs you want
  • Benefits you need
  • Responsive & transparent recruiters

❓3 important questions you should ask when choosing your travel nurse agencies:

  1. What sets this agency apart?
  2. What agency resources are available for me when I have issues?
  3. What benefits can you offer?

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. 💕