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.

edbb97a3 73f4-46c3-b9bc-6bbc2dbbafb5

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$64.58$39.05
Weekly Pay$2,324.92$1,561.92
Annual Salary$111,596$81,220

The average hourly pay for full-time staff RN's in the U.S. is $39.05, or $1,561.92 per week, according to the most recent 2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics registered nurse occupational outlook.

The average hourly rate for travel nurses is $64.58, or $2,324.92 per week, according to our Ultimate Travel Nurse Salary Guide in September 2023.

The average hourly wage for a travel RN is $25.53 higher than staff nurse pay, and the average salary per week is $736 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 reaching upwards to $30,000 more.

We calculated the average annual salary for travel nurses for only 48 weeks a year. Travel nurses need time off to organize and move to 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.

c86c2772 5280-4fcd-b929-c343799c997c

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$2,462.94$521.9719,741
New York$2,375.73$529.06121,013
North Dakota$2,363.45$473.1325,741
California$2,363.08$551.49200,103
New Jersey$2,360.07$560.2360,589
Massachusetts$2,352.91$506.6796,166
Wisconsin$2,284.74$450.9866,813
Hawaii$2,248.82$493.1024,349
Arizona$2,243.71$447.3953,837
West Virginia$2,211.01$405.5525,477
Illinois$2,210.17$407.6076,566
Ohio$2,206.85$401.4984,674
Connecticut$2,201.21$427.9930,961
Maine$2,195.13$459.3531,622
District Of Columbia$2,194.52$420.4310,231
Rhode Island$2,193.88$526.039,672
Colorado$2,190.25$459.5349,145
Nevada$2,186.21$453.3311,043
Washington$2,186.17$446.4386,079
Utah$2,185.28$380.488,779
Wyoming$2,166.66$466.598,519
Nebraska$2,162.83$485.4325,266
Minnesota$2,139.01$533.4332,679
Kentucky$2,135.98$378.7136,585
Oregon$2,130.62$487.1667,485
Delaware$2,124.14$593.406,710
New Hampshire$2,120.78$484.1239,217
Indiana$2,119.89$342.5565,226
Vermont$2,118.27$497.2724,953
Virginia$2,108.70$409.9286,866
Pennsylvania$2,092.42$554.2891,406
South Dakota$2,084.47$456.5921,510
Montana$2,080.62$416.7625,206
Maryland$2,080.15$454.5853,320
Iowa$2,078.66$422.3256,576
Michigan$2,070.66$417.7258,260
Idaho$2,067.46$374.0420,301
Kansas$2,064.11$373.8129,525
Missouri$2,040.96$354.0059,582
New Mexico$2,016.86$414.0139,849
Oklahoma$2,002.25$372.2033,093
Tennessee$1,997.76$336.6948,269
Texas$1,995.61$401.55117,427
North Carolina$1,973.44$354.1195,093
Arkansas$1,965.74$371.5818,070
Georgia$1,965.14$380.3872,975
Louisiana$1,952.02$377.0522,043
Florida$1,926.55$379.8353,863
Mississippi$1,921.39$375.5810,731
South Carolina$1,891.68$341.6139,112
Alabama$1,851.43$347.4122,318
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
Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery (NP / CV/CT Surg)$6,600.00$103.923
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA / CRNA)$6,172.80$1,256.71183
Physicist (Non-Healthcare / Phys)$5,139.59$1,133.43321
Urgent Care (NP / Urgent Care)$4,375.62$1,512.055
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP / FNP)$4,026.92$1,622.6983
Emergency Medicine (PA / ED)$3,930.45$1,484.586
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RN / CRNA)$3,903.31$2,092.15186
Neonatology (NP / Neonatology)$3,684.35$689.654
Adult Medicine (NP / Adult Med)$3,577.14$764.805
Assistant Nurse Manager (RN / Asst RN Mgr)$3,225.81$833.89156
Dosimetrist (Allied / Dosimetrist)$2,959.09$615.35190
Critical Care Flight / Transport Nurse (RN / Flight)$2,893.24$754.47126
Nurse Practitioner (NP / NP)$2,882.31$1,474.8163
Pediatric Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / Peds CVOR)$2,838.82$525.49150
Hematology (RN / Heme)$2,815.01$646.6689
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RN / RNFA)$2,792.94$717.034,900
Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / CVOR)$2,724.48$476.7924,093
Public Health (RN / Pub Hlth)$2,722.61$532.41178
Pediatric Hematology - Oncology (RN / Peds Heme/Onc)$2,721.68$493.20172
Nurse Educator (RN / Education)$2,646.73$525.64680
Pediatric Operating Room (RN / Peds OR)$2,636.58$590.091,770
Perfusionist (Allied / Perf)$2,634.07$1,412.231,254
Radiology (RN / Radiology)$2,631.64$525.664,172
Cardiac Cath Lab (RN / Cath Lab)$2,622.30$448.1546,937
Electrophysiology Lab (RN / EP Lab)$2,618.76$499.932,930
Doctor of Pharmacy (Allied / PharmD)$2,612.72$454.734,082
Pathology Assistant (Allied / Path Asst)$2,610.23$486.81936
Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / Peds CVICU)$2,600.16$523.77894
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (RN / PICU)$2,599.79$558.7313,964
Infection Control (RN / Infection)$2,597.58$570.881,056
Interventional Radiology (RN / IR)$2,595.08$440.3313,419
Administrative (RN / Admin)$2,591.72$693.45365
House Supervisor (Supervisor / House Sup)$2,589.92$597.623,430
Audiologist (Allied / Aud)$2,588.18$518.50163
Hematology / Oncology (RN / Heme / Onc)$2,552.25$501.01620
Assistant Director of Nursing (RN / Asst. DON)$2,551.60$892.10203
Pediatric Oncology (RN / Peds Onc)$2,541.71$807.72107
Nurse Manager (RN / RN Mgr)$2,535.20$750.094,690
Special Procedures (RN / Special Procedures)$2,527.01$444.19365
Lactation (RN / Lactation)$2,492.82$370.0232
Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / Peds PACU)$2,489.96$434.37322
Obstetric Ultrasound - Sonographer (Allied / OB/GYN US)$2,482.51$411.8620
Therapeutic Apheresis (RN / Apheresis)$2,471.02$558.03164
Special Procedures Technologist (Allied / Special Procedures Tech)$2,468.86$417.322,199
Electrophysiology Lab Technician (Allied / EP Lab Tech)$2,465.51$394.563,522
Antepartum (Allied / Ante)$2,462.82$985.32412
Interventional Radiology Technologist (Allied / IR Tech)$2,459.61$412.8526,035
Operating Room (RN / OR)$2,456.37$466.9298,100
Psychologist (Allied / CP)$2,454.08$751.46306
Cardiovascular Cath Lab Technologist (Allied / Cardiac Cath Lab Tech)$2,454.02$410.1447,906
Director of Nursing (RN / DON)$2,453.16$753.261,663
Pediatric Emergency Department (RN / Peds ED)$2,446.96$434.393,750
Pediatric Progressive Care Unit (RN / Peds PCU)$2,439.25$428.10614
Visual Impairments Teacher (School Services / School)$2,424.64$285.3738
Multi-Modality Technologist (Allied / Multi-Modality Technologist)$2,422.60$413.492,097
Bone Marrow Transplant (RN / BMT)$2,417.58$524.032,205
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RN / NICU)$2,402.02$460.0813,101
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (RN / CTICU)$2,399.74$508.27417
Echocardiograph Technologist (Allied / Echo Technologist)$2,397.22$403.5012,384
Echo-Vascular Technician (Allied / Echo/Vasc Tech)$2,395.11$405.445,345
Vaccinations (RN / Vax)$2,394.90$0.004
Nurse Navigator (RN / RN Navigator)$2,385.52$226.8219
Radiotherapist (Allied / Radiotherapy)$2,384.56$480.484,191
Burn Intensive Care Unit (RN / BICU)$2,382.48$563.70835
Computed Tomography Technologist (Allied / CT Tech)$2,372.05$376.44136,198
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / CVICU)$2,366.55$457.5320,763
Echocardiograph Technician (Allied / Echo Tech)$2,363.82$387.0314,511
Pediatrics (RN / Peds)$2,360.11$499.8912,096
Labor & Delivery (RN / L&D)$2,358.17$453.9153,599
Vascular Technologist (Allied / RVT)$2,338.96$407.004,200
School Psychologist, Certified (School Services / NCSP)$2,338.87$1,023.38186
Transplant (RN / Transplant)$2,337.35$414.48645
Admissions (RN / ADM)$2,336.23$361.02100
Neurology Intensive Care Unit (RN / Neuro ICU)$2,327.58$393.604,222
Urology (RN / Urology)$2,325.47$391.48184
Patient Care Coordinator (RN / PCC)$2,324.28$652.9676
Pain Management (RN / Pain Mgt)$2,323.84$501.9166
Diagnostic Radiologist (Allied / Radiologist)$2,322.74$482.37656
Cytotechnologist (Allied / Cyto)$2,320.66$464.851,130
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Allied / CNMT)$2,320.49$368.7710,285
Wound Care (RN / Wound)$2,311.98$432.892,110
OB/GYN (RN / OB/GYN)$2,310.42$483.723,901
Nurse Resident (RN / RN Resident)$2,307.13$604.7213
Vascular Access Nurse (RN / PICC RN)$2,306.88$327.89380
Ultrasound-Sonography Technician (Allied / US/Sono Tech)$2,306.49$348.9313,384
Same Day Surgery (RN / SDS)$2,304.43$404.1574
Float Pool (RN / Float)$2,301.91$419.811,568
Surgical Oncology (RN / Surg Onc)$2,301.14$368.09155
MRI Technician (Allied / MRI Tech)$2,294.05$344.0014,238
MRI Technologist (Allied / MRI Technologist)$2,292.73$348.5727,489
Utilization Review (RN / UR)$2,286.19$484.00890
Perioperative (RN / Peri-op)$2,281.55$431.502,075
Mammography Tech (Allied / Mammo Tech)$2,281.17$452.466,560
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist (RN / CDI)$2,280.43$515.4124
Cardiology (RN / Cardio)$2,279.77$407.182,027
Ultrasound Technologist (Allied / US Technologist)$2,276.97$380.1941,503
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / PACU)$2,276.80$404.5320,032
Case Management (RN / CM)$2,276.09$414.5915,845
Ambulatory Care (RN / Amb)$2,271.33$462.153,199
Infusion Therapy (RN / Infusion)$2,264.27$405.222,738
Coronary Care Unit (RN / CCU)$2,262.58$333.098,375
Gastrointestinal Lab (RN / GI Lab)$2,258.09$396.552,905
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (RN / SICU)$2,252.46$392.951,650
Endoscopy (RN / Endo)$2,249.34$400.0911,602
Cardiac Stepdown Unit (RN / CSDU)$2,248.34$333.011,326
Oncology (RN / Onc)$2,246.07$407.1531,287
Postpartum (RN / PP)$2,238.50$462.245,019
Emergency Department (RN / ED)$2,237.82$374.22129,797
Neurology Progressive Care Unit (RN / Neuro PCU)$2,231.21$346.77862
Intensive Care Unit (RN / ICU)$2,230.07$367.3498,541
Radiology Technologist (Allied / X-Ray Technologist)$2,226.87$397.4963,160
Urgent Care (RN / Urgent Care)$2,223.81$600.62579
Step Down Unit (RN / SDU)$2,214.09$316.4226,136
Medical Surgical Telemetry (RN / Med Surg Tele)$2,204.63$313.3974,512
Sub-Acute (RN / Sub-Acute)$2,203.58$249.7864
Postoperative (RN / Post-op)$2,194.64$368.5143
Outpatient Clinic (Allied / Outpatient)$2,194.03$221.9166
Direct Observation Unit (RN / DOU)$2,189.48$319.112,021
CVOR Technologist (Allied / CVOR Tech)$2,177.86$359.1316,076
Acute Care (RN / Acute)$2,177.51$419.625,010
Orthopedic Neurology (RN / Ortho / Neuro)$2,170.83$297.20345
Progressive Care Unit (RN / PCU)$2,170.38$333.0080,016
Telemetry (RN / Tele)$2,165.05$346.73107,784
X-Ray Technician (Allied / X-Ray Tech)$2,150.17$380.8217,147
Clinical Nurse Coordinator (RN / CNC)$2,147.08$626.231,487
Trauma Intensive Care Unit (RN / TICU)$2,145.54$340.42602
Certified Surgical First Assistant (Allied / CSFA)$2,143.64$421.233,045
Outpatient Clinic (RN / Outpatient)$2,143.21$465.865,414
Neurology (RN / Neuro)$2,143.01$331.076,196
Psychiatric - Mental Health (RN / Psych)$2,132.56$376.4628,842
Occupational Health (RN / Occ Health)$2,128.31$373.21246
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Allied / LCSW)$2,125.61$357.744,134
Radiology Technician (Allied / Rad Tech)$2,117.12$358.4321,019
Medical Surgical (RN / Med Surg)$2,111.15$348.12216,596
Nephrology (RN / Neph)$2,109.99$269.95255
Dialysis (RN / Dialysis)$2,105.87$356.2711,731
Orthopedic (RN / Ortho)$2,104.92$327.2310,309
Psychiatric - Mental Health Technician (Allied / Psych Tech)$2,101.97$1,088.32429
Corrections (RN / Corr)$2,101.45$416.112,678
Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (RN / CPCU)$2,099.21$285.663,820
Telehealth (RN / Telehealth)$2,097.17$370.18111
Home Health (RN / HH)$2,090.22$348.2837,475
Stroke / Neuro (RN / Stroke / Neuro)$2,065.06$291.21193
Long Term Acute Care (RN / LTAC)$2,054.03$313.1516,447
Registered Dietician (Allied / RDCD)$2,052.25$265.43274
Hospice (RN / Hospice)$2,049.58$301.849,500
Research / Clinical Research (RN / Research)$2,006.03$374.0344
Respiratory Therapist (Allied / RT)$1,993.34$382.0337,318
Electroencephalogram Technician (Allied / EEG Tech)$1,977.78$395.04773
Recreational Therapist (Therapy / RT)$1,975.95$308.808
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (School Services / BCBA)$1,968.42$279.9421
Polysomnographer (Allied / Sleep Tech)$1,960.19$363.423,048
Physical Therapy (Therapy / PT)$1,919.05$296.44162,436
Operating Room / Surgical Technician (Allied / OR / Surg Tech)$1,915.74$353.5598,913
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (Allied / SLPA)$1,915.25$320.58327
American Sign Language Teacher (School Services / ASL Teacher)$1,912.34$320.9922
Speech Language Pathologist (Allied / SLP)$1,905.54$277.2341,157
Rehabilitation Therapy (Allied / Rehab Therapy)$1,904.38$415.001,997
Medical Tech / Medical Laboratory Scientist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Allied / MT / MLS / CLS)$1,891.33$435.8326,362
Long Term Care (RN / LTC)$1,884.27$403.4127,175
Special Education Teacher (School Services / Special Ed)$1,863.88$320.32461
Skilled Nursing Facility (RN / SNF)$1,859.50$435.7614,953
Occupational Therapy (Therapy / OT)$1,857.37$284.9552,031
Obstetric Technician (Allied / OB Tech)$1,855.47$374.21904
School Nurse (RN / School Nurse)$1,845.35$404.04234
Histotechnician (Allied / HT)$1,842.32$370.291,803
Electroencephalogram Technologist (Allied / EEG Technologist)$1,823.07$336.62777
Charge Nurse (RN / Charge)$1,782.14$465.11822
Rehabilitation (RN / Rehab)$1,777.17$493.2424,424
Telemetry Monitor Technician (Allied / Tele / Monitor Tech)$1,760.92$634.28479
Endoscopy Technician (Allied / Endo Tech)$1,760.46$458.941,317
Anesthesia Technician (Allied / Anesthesia Tech)$1,716.36$742.86545
Home Health (Allied / HH)$1,681.67$291.1015
Emergency Department (LPN / LVN / ED)$1,609.70$407.20211
Electrocardiograph Technician (Allied / EKG Tech)$1,592.00$578.7788
Home Health (LPN / LVN / HH)$1,559.28$223.104,610
Corrections (LPN / LVN / Corr)$1,556.34$304.241,306
Psychiatric - Mental Health (LPN / LVN / Psych)$1,527.67$338.86700
Telemetry (LPN / LVN / Tele)$1,521.01$360.22428
Antepartum (RN / Antepartum)$1,485.04$668.64717
School Nurse (LPN / LVN / School Nurse)$1,478.68$277.7673
Outpatient Clinic (LPN / LVN / Outpatient)$1,476.59$264.593,361
Long Term Acute Care (LPN / LVN / LTAC)$1,463.95$237.033,203
Paramedic (Allied / Paramedic)$1,455.91$354.38231
Medical Surgical (LPN / LVN / Med Surg)$1,445.71$287.955,483
( / Rehab)$1,430.66$269.54189
Long Term Care (LPN / LVN / LTC)$1,418.46$283.5733,836
Hospice (LPN / LVN / Hospice)$1,402.79$212.171,625
Skilled Nursing Facility (LPN / LVN / SNF)$1,396.54$287.69634
Home Health (CNA / HH)$1,389.79$738.1111
Emergency Department Technician (Allied / ED Tech)$1,375.24$395.35146
LPN / LVN (LPN / LVN / LPN / LVN)$1,355.55$288.3320,378
Pharmacy Technician (Allied / Pharm Tech)$1,329.33$311.75860
Dialysis Technician (Allied / Dialysis Tech)$1,325.32$183.17550
Occupational Therapy Assistant (Therapy / OTA)$1,323.49$200.7612,629
Physical Therapy Assistant (Therapy / PTA)$1,321.69$221.0631,391
Sterile Processing Technician (Allied / SPT)$1,304.10$251.286,971
Patient Care Technician (Allied / PCT)$1,202.63$491.49222
Phlebotomy (Allied / Phlebotomist)$1,185.42$290.30275
Skilled Nursing Facility (Allied / SNF)$1,112.45$475.29703
Medical Surgical (CNA / Med Surg)$1,109.96$239.82216
Clerical (Non-Healthcare / Clerical)$1,101.60$175.416
Certified Medical Assistant (Allied / CMA)$1,060.92$320.54885
Long Term Care (CNA / LTC)$982.18$287.541,525
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA / CNA)$916.73$266.051,922
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
Aequor Healthcare$2,059.58$444.93112,466
Aureus Medical Group$2,219.85$500.84107,830
MedPro Healthcare Staffing$2,145.75$433.7598,416
CoreMedical Group$1,979.70$438.7895,181
Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health)$2,223.01$435.6487,177
Ventura MedStaff$1,984.35$432.0184,721
Host Healthcare$2,265.27$584.0374,048
TotalMed$2,136.06$447.5351,118
Healthcare Staffing - IDR, Inc$2,097.49$447.9247,515
Access Healthcare Staffing$2,311.58$519.3143,116
ADEX Medical Staffing$2,247.44$364.1138,831
LeaderStat$2,123.46$499.1238,034
OneStaff Medical$1,984.41$505.3036,934
LanceSoft$2,364.06$415.1234,408
Premier Healthcare Professionals$2,206.93$486.4733,822
Marvel Medical Staffing$2,032.00$407.8933,591
Triage Staffing$2,083.56$524.2633,245
RNnetwork$2,108.78$696.5030,997
CrossMed$2,057.63$387.8330,963
Jackson Therapy Partners$1,828.35$406.4730,938
Focus Staff$2,208.10$406.6729,951
Healthcare Support$2,090.01$430.4929,905
Cross Country Healthcare$2,144.14$525.9128,842
Jackson Nurse Professionals$2,165.59$440.0328,514
Stability Healthcare$2,153.07$412.2127,603
Go Healthcare$2,075.63$419.0227,340
GLC On-The-Go$1,917.91$544.8127,290
Medical Solutions$2,210.92$493.7726,918
Nurse First Travel Agency$2,191.79$405.9426,233
Ardor Health Solutions$2,049.36$464.8926,059
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions$2,034.88$374.7625,407
KPG Healthcare$2,214.42$472.6424,098
Planet Healthcare$2,205.24$399.9324,027
Nomad Health$2,349.93$443.3723,669
Uniti Med$1,891.65$542.5823,074
Genie Healthcare$2,131.97$495.0222,562
Coast Medical Service$2,279.22$416.7121,680
ADN Healthcare$2,171.30$401.0619,290
Anders Group$2,136.00$450.3319,197
Phaxis$2,130.06$341.4118,496
Amare Medical Network$1,980.44$584.4318,178
TactStaff$2,268.06$378.8017,598
MedUS Healthcare$2,185.24$441.2116,732
American Traveler$2,185.59$358.0716,039
PRN Healthcare$2,106.96$436.9015,773
Nationwide Therapy Group$1,765.08$524.5115,625
Synergy Medical Staffing$2,032.81$472.1114,990
TRS Healthcare$2,166.63$457.8914,984
CareTeam Solutions$2,066.42$474.5614,746
Advantis Medical Staffing$2,160.92$392.1114,518
GetMed Staffing, Inc.$2,053.86$455.8114,248
Springboard Healthcare$2,369.49$395.7714,244
Travel Nurses Inc.$2,107.41$429.0813,425
Atlas MedStaff$2,142.67$411.7113,202
Destination Travelcare$2,195.57$469.7913,063
AHS Staffing$2,128.03$397.0513,007
FlexCare Medical Staffing$2,135.34$471.8212,177
GHR Travel Nursing$2,433.14$446.1911,990
3D Medical Staffing$2,244.23$446.3911,975
trustaff$2,190.05$452.0711,861
Assured Nursing$2,071.64$405.9111,645
Republic Health Resources$2,115.09$487.3211,059
Vocaday$2,190.64$487.1310,956
TLC Travel Staff$2,119.02$478.9110,841
Vibra Travels$2,233.79$337.7410,424
Travel Nurse Across America$2,247.54$443.8210,383
NuWest Group$2,346.45$440.0710,329
Wellspring Nurse Source$2,349.69$387.6710,223
Sharp Medical Staffinglife$2,329.78$449.6910,206
American Mobile Healthcare (AMN)$2,207.49$555.7610,107
SkyBridge Healthcare$1,905.68$417.699,779
Vital Workforce Solutions$2,211.34$406.269,753
IntellaPro Staffing$2,169.96$504.219,747
Health Specialists, Inc.$2,206.59$356.049,710
Skyline Med Staff$2,000.89$475.029,349
Gifted Healthcare$2,207.93$509.169,193
LRS Healthcare$2,364.11$509.918,837
Solomon Page$2,242.55$471.138,759
Junxion Med Staffing$2,124.57$429.758,464
Supplemental Health Care$2,008.10$533.228,381
Lead Health$2,387.69$484.058,305
Magnet Medical$2,273.58$453.797,723
Premier Medical Staffing$2,148.67$349.397,493
Next Move, Inc.$2,069.06$416.357,465
Prime Time Healthcare$2,380.07$487.747,275
Cynet Health$2,224.77$431.467,266
Nightingale Nurses$2,299.20$467.107,049
ALOIS Healthcare$2,115.36$528.906,949
Health Carousel - Allied Travel$2,020.34$385.206,789
ARM Staffing$2,163.63$457.636,731
Summit Medical Staffing$2,325.88$424.456,372
Excel Medical Staffing$2,031.56$495.625,849
Nurses First Solutions$2,151.08$444.015,815
Guardian HealthStaff, LLC.$2,152.91$363.965,259
Health Advocates Network$2,254.66$398.905,162
Critical Connection, inc$1,940.07$254.724,969
Arrow Healthcare Staffing and Recruiting$2,047.99$428.834,920
Centra Healthcare$1,723.24$388.504,901
Thrive Staffing$1,843.43$476.264,776
GrapeTree Medical Staffing$1,580.86$440.614,571
AMN Healthcare Allied$1,804.39$411.484,539
Source Medical Staffing$2,361.18$437.034,364
Ethos Medical Staffing$2,123.07$411.584,361
Accountable Healthcare Staffing$2,269.25$437.454,355
Impresiv Health$2,202.74$444.034,232
Delta Healthcare Providers$1,984.14$223.604,183
GQR Healthcare$2,454.14$609.844,105
Ink - A Healthcare Staffing Co.$2,330.91$445.303,925
Aya Healthcare$2,276.85$449.113,833
Titan Medical Group$2,318.39$404.573,642
FlexUp Direct$2,064.80$547.953,627
Prime HealthCare Staffing$2,080.17$419.933,395
Club Staffing (AMN)$2,000.97$298.333,392
Zack Group$2,176.50$363.733,391
SambaCare$2,271.26$524.393,332
RCM Healthcare Services$2,090.36$485.353,321
Corratel Healthcare$2,739.08$620.273,306
HumanEdge$2,158.66$404.423,288
Fusion Medical Staffing$2,063.21$487.143,259
RKA Recruiting$2,471.76$421.513,217
Pioneer Healthcare$1,689.03$476.053,212
Catapult Healthcare$2,375.75$526.083,158
NURSES Etc. STAFFING$2,107.32$579.363,142
The Judge Group$2,542.73$444.463,098
Voyage Healthcare$2,142.46$505.963,084
Remede Consulting Group, Inc.$2,067.36$405.602,983
QS Nurses$1,847.55$577.752,976
Plains Medical Staffing$2,320.32$509.692,970
Specialty Professional Services$1,953.39$514.902,964
Galaxy Healthcare$2,160.91$374.272,935
Reliable Nurse Staffing$2,316.37$340.702,566
Nurse 2 Nurse Staffing$2,271.80$499.982,547
National Staffing$1,948.97$507.572,371
Bluebird Staffing$2,191.26$328.402,328
Malone Healthcare Solutions$2,439.26$454.522,277
Health Carousel$2,107.57$432.032,243
Mynela Staffing$2,204.04$511.902,168
Trusted Resource Associates (TRA)$2,259.27$435.872,164
Med Travelers (AMN Allied)$1,850.55$418.531,971
Providence Health Care Staffing$1,813.80$608.321,942
TinkBird Healthcare Staffing$2,373.45$481.481,927
KingFish Healthcare$2,172.57$333.151,925
Allyon$2,246.54$573.901,921
AB Staffing Solutions$2,106.81$598.981,911
Nurses 24/7$2,255.61$630.161,896
Northside Hospital Choice+Local$2,143.02$467.111,889
Firstat Medical Staffing$2,244.04$409.271,883
Vighter$2,378.38$369.081,864
Marshall Healthcare Staffing$2,284.78$543.901,799
Trinity Health FirstChoice$2,293.72$366.041,773
Onyx Health Care Staffing$2,141.50$449.061,599
MSSI$2,278.32$521.671,597
PRIDE Health$2,174.66$437.961,556
MedWave Healthcare Staffing$2,307.13$563.451,551
Triage Consulting Group$2,185.81$402.871,551
Consolidated Medical Travel$2,836.49$510.741,492
Refined Medical Staffing$2,202.06$469.181,487
TheraEX Staffing Services$2,183.46$579.171,486
IMCS Group$1,963.13$536.531,482
Spire Workforce Solutions$2,301.72$394.811,442
Maxim Healthcare Services$2,514.68$595.311,436
MAS Medical Staffing$2,185.81$331.581,357
Cure Healthcare Staffing$2,490.96$348.741,336
Lifeline Healthcare Professionals$2,469.06$589.061,328
Bestica$2,386.52$380.781,321
Trusted Health$1,963.57$603.091,297
Soliant Health$2,413.10$533.021,281
Kiwi Healthcare$2,284.68$471.911,269
MedCall Staffing$2,262.24$308.501,199
Halcyon Nurse Staffing$2,167.53$356.771,180
MedQ GLOBAL STAFFING$2,482.28$456.411,169
Med Ninjas$2,276.41$666.301,162
Explore Tek$2,476.35$504.011,161
Alliance Healthcare Solutions$1,985.84$471.171,148
Convergence Medical Staffing$2,078.46$405.241,148
Modern Healthcare Solutions$2,358.89$465.251,144
Rock Medical Group$2,084.33$558.771,124
eTeam Inc$2,494.85$505.411,096
Innovate Healthcare Staffing$2,317.81$334.121,029
Connected Health Care$2,282.82$504.211,020
FocusPoint$2,615.47$429.401,009
City Mobile Group$2,186.24$309.57996
Lahey Health$2,525.45$562.97995
The Good Life MedStaff$2,390.80$597.80976
Favorite Healthcare Staffing$2,145.50$358.93888
Journey Healthcare Solutions$2,234.22$482.37888
Lifeline Medical Staffing$2,190.76$422.70885
Quality Clinicians$1,969.23$639.71883
iDeal Personnel$2,082.15$495.94876
Reliable Source Talent$2,470.81$375.19821
Fiber Staffing$2,009.55$331.34802
The Stepping Stones Group$1,985.46$390.74789
White Glove Placement$2,412.81$520.46779
Alliance Medical Staffing$2,043.49$450.68757
Treva Corporation$2,231.82$376.98747
Medical Talent$2,200.15$446.34722
Custom Healthcare Solutions$2,050.56$478.82715
Vero Travel Nursing$2,241.55$402.35622
American Medical Staffing$2,305.41$446.33607
Sunbelt Staffing$2,559.40$507.23583
Formation, Inc.$2,658.84$598.17517
Seven Healthcare$2,363.52$541.07507
Mindlance Health$2,567.57$512.77485
Care Partners Staffing$2,076.06$394.04473
Reliant Staffing Solutions$2,441.45$620.10463
Insight Global$2,447.20$561.87427
Nurse Hustle$2,167.58$359.94418
Advocate Health Staffing$2,535.37$472.83407
Avani Healthcare Staffing$2,298.32$512.47407
PS Companies$2,531.40$337.72390
Pulse Healthcare Services$2,264.03$461.02384
Adventure Nursing LLC$2,461.36$403.04373
Delta Medical Staffing$2,322.91$468.65365
DT-Trak Consulting$2,619.09$388.03345
CareNational$2,148.66$584.47340
MedicalPeople Staffing, LLC$2,678.91$508.97340
Innovent Global$2,307.98$573.33339
Siemens Healthineers$2,410.64$557.92329
Winston Staffing$2,292.77$488.79321
Health Reserves LLC$2,433.20$613.92316
Hire Up Healthcare$2,506.14$397.24315
Professional Nursing Service$3,055.37$566.17315
Becker Health$2,668.55$523.75307
Blu Medstaff$2,169.49$512.56297
PeopleFirst RN Staffing$2,087.06$231.85274
MARS Solutions Group$2,301.36$676.31271
Origin Travel Nurses$2,579.02$354.71264
Froedtert Health$2,300.56$436.69260
WalkerHealthcare$2,222.26$325.95255
CareerStaff Unlimited$3,136.06$2,735.25244
TLC Nursing$2,409.09$648.10244
Greenstaff Medical$2,551.87$558.40238
Medmasa$2,254.25$531.51227
Cerebral Staffing$2,278.59$591.45216
Novo Connections$2,117.65$736.70211
Excite Health Partners$2,684.56$549.66205
Wayward Medical$1,503.93$288.65191
Cambay Healthcare$2,269.44$579.34182
EGA Associates$2,091.80$570.03178
Southeast HEALTH$2,635.30$368.83165
Lucid Staffing Solutions$2,476.63$1,140.74161
Saratoga Medical Staffing$2,563.16$530.29161
Platinum Healthcare Staffing$2,496.70$1,230.46155
Millbrook$2,584.32$501.18140
Raisso Inc.$2,680.19$594.62136
ICONMA$2,324.06$433.60133
Vivino Group$1,874.29$653.35125
Leaders in Care$2,120.00$373.00124
NavAid Health$2,110.15$451.83114
Fastaff Travel Nursing$2,823.83$573.95113
Loyal Source$2,277.15$544.64113
Medasource$2,480.19$252.59113
Open Door Personnel$2,050.00$414.29100
TruMED Healthcare Staffing$2,423.71$363.7198
Peregrine Team$2,967.02$611.2995
Fusion HCR$2,372.62$368.0094
SojouRN$2,742.89$582.6994
Solutions by Sanford$2,475.69$403.7691
Grady Works$1,920.92$250.8382
Medmetry$2,245.36$505.3080
Phoenix MedStaff$2,507.55$381.1169
Pluto Healthcare Staffing$2,374.52$351.1866
ATC Healthcare$2,666.20$682.5863
MSG Staffing$2,562.95$517.7758
DirectShifts$2,305.91$777.3756
Contemporary Healthcare Solutions$2,220.19$278.4754
Aura Staffing Partners$1,758.82$154.1047
GardaWorld Federal Services$1,964.91$354.8245
Beebe Healthcare$2,426.43$511.1041
CT Assist$2,745.16$657.6340
Elite365$2,433.15$536.1437
WorkSquare$2,357.75$350.4037
Primrose Group$2,458.04$455.4634
VitalHire$2,239.22$361.5233
VitalSolution (formerly CardioSolution)$2,966.82$403.2033
Scout Nurse Staffing$1,746.00$420.5530
Ascend National Healthcare Staffing$2,364.57$470.7228
First Class Nurses, Inc.$2,291.34$644.5324
Capstone Healthcare Staffing$2,394.09$250.3521
Actriv Healthcare$1,974.03$502.9919
Alto Healthcare Staffing$2,418.81$514.7817
Exquisite Staffing Solutions$2,186.16$225.7214
Tallavera$2,506.76$869.7813
Axis Medical Staffing$2,273.96$243.8010
Oloop Technology Solutions$2,555.66$402.3810
Softpath System, LLC$2,579.36$544.6310
RightPro Staffing$1,979.82$441.527
TrailBlazer Staffing Solutions$2,037.02$686.346
Hamilton Staffing Solutions$2,126.08$485.145
HealthCare Connections$2,794.68$597.425
Gale Healthcare Solutions$2,441.50$380.464
Headwaters Healthcare$3,327.50$292.723
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.

Dropping the Mic 🖐🎤

We can't wait to hear your success stories - Tell us how our travel nurse salary interactive pay explorer has helped you.

Did we miss any questions you have about finding how much travel nurses can make?

Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook so we can add your requests to future updates.

Share with your registered nurse friends so they can see their earning potential too!