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$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.

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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$2,475.64$551.6720,719
California$2,332.96$526.42206,029
New York$2,326.80$479.59128,646
Massachusetts$2,316.42$477.75106,796
North Dakota$2,300.67$484.1529,198
New Jersey$2,278.25$529.7666,765
Wisconsin$2,268.96$484.8378,259
Maine$2,225.50$461.7835,748
Illinois$2,192.89$407.5288,942
Hawaii$2,187.75$483.1624,869
Arizona$2,187.28$429.8560,678
Utah$2,182.96$390.738,176
Connecticut$2,175.18$422.0732,347
Rhode Island$2,173.89$529.228,673
West Virginia$2,167.25$428.7230,095
Ohio$2,160.10$398.0094,411
Colorado$2,152.70$434.0658,676
Vermont$2,139.93$485.6333,216
Wyoming$2,136.94$459.389,784
Washington$2,135.19$430.8693,060
District Of Columbia$2,133.06$380.8410,130
Nebraska$2,132.61$454.9832,818
New Hampshire$2,118.86$503.6445,256
Nevada$2,116.03$457.1211,541
Oregon$2,113.37$461.8170,071
Minnesota$2,113.02$511.2735,538
Montana$2,081.14$409.0529,365
Kentucky$2,080.39$348.5343,262
Virginia$2,074.61$408.3189,259
Iowa$2,067.10$417.6064,132
Indiana$2,056.80$360.2067,508
Delaware$2,054.45$583.058,523
Michigan$2,053.56$445.1966,804
Idaho$2,053.41$367.3121,887
South Dakota$2,051.09$466.6727,063
Kansas$2,044.85$393.8531,714
Maryland$2,018.12$436.4152,976
Missouri$2,017.76$353.7663,810
Oklahoma$2,004.20$349.8140,635
Pennsylvania$2,002.47$509.7491,877
New Mexico$1,972.40$408.4143,619
Texas$1,930.01$387.31130,191
Georgia$1,926.40$386.0386,960
Louisiana$1,925.41$386.5924,388
North Carolina$1,923.14$360.05104,222
Tennessee$1,920.46$312.0656,410
Florida$1,898.21$379.0153,686
South Carolina$1,896.53$353.8240,604
Arkansas$1,879.80$390.4119,835
Mississippi$1,831.55$390.9313,334
Alabama$1,799.57$350.3826,577
Table: Travel Nurse States by Highest Paying. Standard deviation explanation.

Curious what the market looked like pre-COVID19?

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

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

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

Highest Travel Nurse Salaries by Metropolitan Area

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

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

Top 5 Highest Travel Nurse Salaries by Metropolitan Area

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

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

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

Highest Paying Travel Nurse Specialties

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

Last 12 months 
Travel Nursing Specialty Average Weekly Pay Weekly Pay St. Deviation# Jobs Observed
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA / CRNA)$6,405.35$1,283.33142
Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery (NP / CV/CT Surg)$6,379.92$310.195
Physicist (Non-Healthcare / Phys)$5,232.09$1,109.61614
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP / FNP)$4,651.04$2,095.3077
Perfusionist (Allied / Perf)$4,331.17$1,732.76441
Urgent Care (NP / Urgent Care)$3,879.00$831.413
Neonatology (NP / Neonatology)$3,865.39$519.546
Nurse Practitioner (NP / NP)$3,219.21$1,635.4260
Assistant Nurse Manager (RN / Asst RN Mgr)$3,163.00$654.22101
Dosimetrist (Allied / Dosimetrist)$2,972.36$594.99449
Critical Care Flight / Transport Nurse (RN / Flight)$2,890.51$676.40169
Hematology (RN / Heme)$2,789.64$654.0991
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RN / RNFA)$2,760.63$701.546,243
Pediatric Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / Peds CVOR)$2,725.49$512.50137
Antepartum (Allied / Ante)$2,720.29$812.17468
Emergency Medicine (PA / ED)$2,709.23$952.127
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RN / CRNA)$2,673.21$2,245.89166
Obstetric Ultrasound - Sonographer (Allied / OB/GYN US)$2,659.15$199.914
Doctor of Pharmacy (Allied / PharmD)$2,633.55$502.535,485
Public Health (RN / Pub Hlth)$2,629.68$548.44113
Audiologist (Allied / Aud)$2,620.98$461.11325
Pathology Assistant (Allied / Path Asst)$2,587.08$481.031,473
Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / CVOR)$2,581.48$469.6520,223
Pediatric Operating Room (RN / Peds OR)$2,576.12$524.941,338
Visual Impairments Teacher (School Services / School)$2,575.58$507.9436
Lactation (RN / Lactation)$2,573.34$329.3438
Radiology (RN / Radiology)$2,538.82$489.414,069
Nurse Manager (RN / RN Mgr)$2,526.00$730.124,433
Director of Nursing (RN / DON)$2,517.77$779.151,944
Cardiac Cath Lab (RN / Cath Lab)$2,516.47$432.8841,294
Infection Control (RN / Infection)$2,505.95$594.971,173
House Supervisor (Supervisor / House Sup)$2,496.19$523.493,325
Nurse Educator (RN / Education)$2,496.12$491.69783
Pediatric Hematology - Oncology (RN / Peds Heme/Onc)$2,494.51$485.97159
Interventional Radiology (RN / IR)$2,491.98$441.6311,973
Psychologist (Allied / CP)$2,480.21$717.63338
Special Procedures Technologist (Allied / Special Procedures Tech)$2,477.97$443.661,547
Interventional Radiology Technologist (Allied / IR Tech)$2,476.36$413.0530,178
Special Procedures (RN / Special Procedures)$2,470.11$377.31447
Electrophysiology Lab (RN / EP Lab)$2,467.83$452.103,684
Multi-Modality Technologist (Allied / Multi-Modality Technologist)$2,466.20$379.112,602
Patient Care Coordinator (RN / PCC)$2,460.22$467.8732
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (RN / PICU)$2,458.33$519.4711,987
Therapeutic Apheresis (RN / Apheresis)$2,446.24$524.47216
Electrophysiology Lab Technician (Allied / EP Lab Tech)$2,444.35$386.055,216
Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / Peds CVICU)$2,443.01$505.31911
Cardiovascular Cath Lab Technologist (Allied / Cardiac Cath Lab Tech)$2,440.48$423.8954,818
Hematology / Oncology (RN / Heme / Onc)$2,438.05$497.82912
Administrative (RN / Admin)$2,437.81$685.31523
Pediatric Oncology (RN / Peds Onc)$2,431.78$966.8469
Nurse Navigator (RN / RN Navigator)$2,417.33$326.4549
School Psychologist, Certified (School Services / NCSP)$2,399.78$1,012.82224
Pediatric Progressive Care Unit (RN / Peds PCU)$2,395.05$399.03552
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist (RN / CDI)$2,381.26$397.3373
Same Day Surgery (RN / SDS)$2,378.05$417.2635
Computed Tomography Technologist (Allied / CT Tech)$2,377.72$397.45167,543
Bone Marrow Transplant (RN / BMT)$2,376.83$484.551,742
Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / Peds PACU)$2,370.36$416.89223
Echocardiograph Technologist (Allied / Echo Technologist)$2,368.58$380.2513,988
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (RN / CTICU)$2,367.39$497.40525
Pediatric Emergency Department (RN / Peds ED)$2,351.84$432.223,202
Echocardiograph Technician (Allied / Echo Tech)$2,351.01$389.0414,912
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Allied / CNMT)$2,350.91$360.2016,368
Radiotherapist (Allied / Radiotherapy)$2,348.14$464.825,671
Echo-Vascular Technician (Allied / Echo/Vasc Tech)$2,348.10$418.856,290
Ultrasound-Sonography Technician (Allied / US/Sono Tech)$2,345.36$434.4410,456
Vascular Technologist (Allied / RVT)$2,345.05$434.125,822
Operating Room (RN / OR)$2,344.27$432.7789,763
Nurse Resident (RN / RN Resident)$2,338.48$636.2214
Mammography Tech (Allied / Mammo Tech)$2,332.52$474.987,696
Surgical Oncology (RN / Surg Onc)$2,328.03$366.75223
MRI Technician (Allied / MRI Tech)$2,327.82$474.1615,993
OB/GYN (RN / OB/GYN)$2,322.30$479.685,355
Cytotechnologist (Allied / Cyto)$2,306.20$409.091,720
MRI Technologist (Allied / MRI Technologist)$2,295.10$375.5345,999
Urology (RN / Urology)$2,294.22$367.18235
Labor & Delivery (RN / L&D)$2,286.21$436.6463,686
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RN / NICU)$2,284.30$441.9714,894
Vascular Access Nurse (RN / PICC RN)$2,282.29$311.96483
Pediatrics (RN / Peds)$2,279.06$475.9911,205
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / CVICU)$2,269.98$446.6222,089
Clinical Nurse Coordinator (RN / CNC)$2,268.39$915.43896
Cardiology (RN / Cardio)$2,267.00$387.462,437
Ultrasound Technologist (Allied / US Technologist)$2,262.17$370.4055,533
Wound Care (RN / Wound)$2,261.29$419.652,899
Urgent Care (RN / Urgent Care)$2,253.92$539.61687
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (School Services / BCBA)$2,249.29$463.9935
Admissions (RN / ADM)$2,233.27$245.99107
Case Management (RN / CM)$2,228.35$398.0216,998
Infusion Therapy (RN / Infusion)$2,226.95$382.113,058
Burn Intensive Care Unit (RN / BICU)$2,226.93$463.97854
Perioperative (RN / Peri-op)$2,226.42$437.152,929
Pain Management (RN / Pain Mgt)$2,225.02$306.0978
Coronary Care Unit (RN / CCU)$2,222.68$313.048,215
Float Pool (RN / Float)$2,222.01$398.151,998
Gastrointestinal Lab (RN / GI Lab)$2,221.92$434.292,637
Transplant (RN / Transplant)$2,219.94$361.94725
Research / Clinical Research (RN / Research)$2,218.61$526.4650
Neurology Intensive Care Unit (RN / Neuro ICU)$2,214.03$335.004,351
Postpartum (RN / PP)$2,203.20$440.165,659
Diagnostic Radiologist (Allied / Radiologist)$2,201.73$499.141,238
Radiology Technologist (Allied / X-Ray Technologist)$2,199.38$403.7066,930
Cardiac Stepdown Unit (RN / CSDU)$2,199.28$311.671,660
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (RN / SICU)$2,198.13$353.442,092
Ambulatory Care (RN / Amb)$2,196.79$471.103,240
Oncology (RN / Onc)$2,193.98$392.4230,513
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / PACU)$2,185.96$397.0326,489
Endoscopy (RN / Endo)$2,184.71$388.3812,127
Postoperative (RN / Post-op)$2,177.39$316.7673
Utilization Review (RN / UR)$2,174.86$423.611,231
Sub-Acute (RN / Sub-Acute)$2,173.47$254.8276
Direct Observation Unit (RN / DOU)$2,170.41$309.411,829
Emergency Department (RN / ED)$2,167.96$365.42139,948
Orthopedic Neurology (RN / Ortho / Neuro)$2,167.03$283.69321
Outpatient Clinic (Allied / Outpatient)$2,163.00$256.5849
Intensive Care Unit (RN / ICU)$2,159.19$367.03109,545
Medical Surgical Telemetry (RN / Med Surg Tele)$2,156.24$297.8582,990
Neurology Progressive Care Unit (RN / Neuro PCU)$2,153.88$315.101,022
Step Down Unit (RN / SDU)$2,152.36$318.4628,044
Certified Surgical First Assistant (Allied / CSFA)$2,149.05$444.663,367
Nephrology (RN / Neph)$2,139.71$248.80360
X-Ray Technician (Allied / X-Ray Tech)$2,137.23$364.784,675
Acute Care (RN / Acute)$2,130.85$381.415,948
Neurology (RN / Neuro)$2,121.00$325.676,803
CVOR Technologist (Allied / CVOR Tech)$2,120.58$362.7919,633
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Allied / LCSW)$2,120.10$347.804,775
Outpatient Clinic (RN / Outpatient)$2,117.95$456.686,113
Trauma Intensive Care Unit (RN / TICU)$2,117.06$323.56953
Corrections (RN / Corr)$2,116.37$401.743,300
Progressive Care Unit (RN / PCU)$2,115.44$328.0688,190
Home Health (RN / HH)$2,113.00$334.5435,370
Occupational Health (RN / Occ Health)$2,112.27$419.39338
Telemetry (RN / Tele)$2,107.54$355.44108,742
Dialysis (RN / Dialysis)$2,086.93$350.9814,627
Orthopedic (RN / Ortho)$2,068.21$337.5510,516
Psychiatric - Mental Health (RN / Psych)$2,065.74$378.3127,094
Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (RN / CPCU)$2,065.15$262.517,698
Radiology Technician (Allied / Rad Tech)$2,064.59$352.3835,028
Medical Surgical (RN / Med Surg)$2,058.52$347.39229,869
Long Term Acute Care (RN / LTAC)$2,049.67$360.8617,213
Assistant Director of Nursing (RN / Asst. DON)$2,037.20$590.86180
Rehabilitation Therapy (Allied / Rehab Therapy)$2,033.42$385.55684
Stroke / Neuro (RN / Stroke / Neuro)$2,032.80$277.02212
Telehealth (RN / Telehealth)$2,032.67$379.55120
Hospice (RN / Hospice)$2,030.11$304.5210,750
Registered Dietician (Allied / RDCD)$2,022.21$281.36286
Respiratory Therapist (Allied / RT)$1,952.26$379.0448,372
Psychiatric - Mental Health Technician (Allied / Psych Tech)$1,932.25$698.26354
Electroencephalogram Technician (Allied / EEG Tech)$1,931.04$370.46788
Physical Therapy (Therapy / PT)$1,927.69$333.38211,326
Speech Language Pathologist (Allied / SLP)$1,925.14$293.2050,815
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (Allied / SLPA)$1,902.80$316.15344
School Nurse (RN / School Nurse)$1,893.98$564.41252
Occupational Therapy (Therapy / OT)$1,874.84$307.9363,183
Long Term Care (RN / LTC)$1,862.97$401.5732,209
Recreational Therapist (Therapy / RT)$1,861.13$425.6118
Operating Room / Surgical Technician (Allied / OR / Surg Tech)$1,851.20$343.3189,130
Obstetric Technician (Allied / OB Tech)$1,849.19$380.32873
Polysomnographer (Allied / Sleep Tech)$1,848.75$360.192,248
Special Education Teacher (School Services / Special Ed)$1,836.68$328.85522
American Sign Language Teacher (School Services / ASL Teacher)$1,827.00$338.5113
Skilled Nursing Facility (RN / SNF)$1,806.13$447.0011,192
Medical Tech / Medical Laboratory Scientist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Allied / MT / MLS / CLS)$1,805.40$465.5420,138
Electroencephalogram Technologist (Allied / EEG Technologist)$1,786.37$309.38902
Histotechnician (Allied / HT)$1,769.15$387.712,368
Rehabilitation (RN / Rehab)$1,767.32$482.0023,920
Home Health (Allied / HH)$1,740.33$307.847
Charge Nurse (RN / Charge)$1,727.85$483.67763
Telemetry Monitor Technician (Allied / Tele / Monitor Tech)$1,713.96$574.94517
Anesthesia Technician (Allied / Anesthesia Tech)$1,685.72$700.08538
Emergency Department (LPN / LVN / ED)$1,630.60$400.25214
Endoscopy Technician (Allied / Endo Tech)$1,624.27$369.731,249
Long Term Acute Care (LPN / LVN / LTAC)$1,616.22$286.95109
Corrections (LPN / LVN / Corr)$1,586.56$287.011,815
Paramedic (Allied / Paramedic)$1,586.13$346.16163
Electrocardiograph Technician (Allied / EKG Tech)$1,585.73$572.2869
Home Health (LPN / LVN / HH)$1,546.84$221.984,391
Telemetry (LPN / LVN / Tele)$1,545.32$339.63404
Psychiatric - Mental Health (LPN / LVN / Psych)$1,516.04$300.17825
Outpatient Clinic (LPN / LVN / Outpatient)$1,451.82$268.683,664
Emergency Department Technician (Allied / ED Tech)$1,448.91$412.38118
( / Rehab)$1,441.87$235.41218
School Nurse (LPN / LVN / School Nurse)$1,418.04$292.1673
Medical Surgical (LPN / LVN / Med Surg)$1,417.97$270.485,079
Long Term Care (LPN / LVN / LTC)$1,414.41$269.9936,859
Hospice (LPN / LVN / Hospice)$1,396.19$220.721,078
Antepartum (RN / Antepartum)$1,378.95$673.39883
Skilled Nursing Facility (LPN / LVN / SNF)$1,353.19$310.90435
Pharmacy Technician (Allied / Pharm Tech)$1,345.11$304.20799
Physical Therapy Assistant (Therapy / PTA)$1,338.42$233.0242,147
Dialysis Technician (Allied / Dialysis Tech)$1,324.33$184.76731
Occupational Therapy Assistant (Therapy / OTA)$1,319.83$210.1412,409
LPN / LVN (LPN / LVN / LPN / LVN)$1,305.44$284.9424,319
Sterile Processing Technician (Allied / SPT)$1,295.52$251.685,927
Patient Care Technician (Allied / PCT)$1,212.26$508.77209
Phlebotomy (Allied / Phlebotomist)$1,196.75$311.30256
Skilled Nursing Facility (Allied / SNF)$1,155.33$277.4570
Home Health (CNA / HH)$1,141.32$423.7613
Certified Medical Assistant (Allied / CMA)$1,070.70$299.51958
Medical Surgical (CNA / Med Surg)$1,037.35$276.99282
Clerical (Non-Healthcare / Clerical)$1,022.77$239.0510
Long Term Care (CNA / LTC)$1,015.32$290.201,048
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA / CNA)$955.18$276.011,173
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
Aureus Medical Group$2,173.78$445.60128,844
Aequor Healthcare$2,010.21$415.89113,216
Triage Staffing$2,011.51$622.0788,777
Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health)$2,182.42$412.9985,831
MedPro Healthcare Staffing$2,103.03$431.8271,663
Host Healthcare$2,244.97$805.8270,070
Ventura MedStaff$1,983.22$438.5466,527
Premier Healthcare Professionals$2,190.96$465.6763,548
CoreMedical Group$1,936.05$382.6559,014
TotalMed$2,078.21$413.0358,183
OneStaff Medical$1,941.95$549.3247,893
Planet Healthcare$2,160.08$422.9145,301
LeaderStat$2,145.40$434.8344,085
LanceSoft$2,293.09$394.7943,882
Access Healthcare Staffing$2,229.26$511.3043,623
RNnetwork$2,024.32$639.9343,597
Marvel Medical Staffing$1,998.71$403.8937,958
Genie Healthcare$2,117.48$462.8637,482
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions$2,014.07$366.0937,320
Cross Country Healthcare$2,081.94$484.5637,165
Healthcare Support$2,086.93$399.5836,687
Uniti Med$1,840.69$533.5433,033
Healthcare Staffing - IDR, Inc$1,994.07$449.9732,487
Medical Solutions$2,115.28$442.5231,235
ADEX Medical Staffing$2,233.00$335.9831,071
GLC On-The-Go$1,873.14$523.6429,685
Go Healthcare$2,021.42$485.8028,215
Nurse First Travel Agency$2,176.79$373.4927,934
Jackson Therapy Partners$1,883.52$414.9027,187
CrossMed$2,041.78$403.8126,148
Coast Medical Service$2,198.09$423.1525,269
American Traveler$2,139.15$346.1724,428
Jackson Nurse Professionals$2,140.45$450.5923,903
Stability Healthcare$2,118.69$388.5223,160
TactStaff$2,199.58$365.4923,155
KPG Healthcare$2,183.66$529.9022,635
Anders Group$2,095.26$439.2622,575
Focus Staff$2,150.46$495.5821,623
Ardor Health Solutions$2,049.35$416.3521,471
FlexCare Medical Staffing$2,136.42$435.0521,353
Advantis Medical Staffing$2,092.04$375.2420,659
Nationwide Therapy Group$1,800.16$515.0520,133
ADN Healthcare$2,202.68$406.0019,905
TRS Healthcare$2,061.77$413.0419,538
Travel Nurse Across America$2,209.45$421.0418,827
Vibra Travels$2,177.53$316.4417,838
Supplemental Health Care$1,875.97$501.2617,304
Synergy Medical Staffing$1,959.88$478.8016,501
ALOIS Healthcare$2,105.52$483.9416,262
CareTeam Solutions$2,001.66$458.9116,252
Springboard Healthcare$2,346.45$360.9315,655
Summit Medical Staffing$2,192.91$421.5315,561
GetMed Staffing, Inc.$1,929.43$441.2115,194
SkyBridge Healthcare$1,860.13$383.5114,885
AMN Healthcare Allied$1,943.17$475.7014,873
GHR Travel Nursing$2,261.82$361.1614,855
Vocaday$2,136.98$463.9914,756
PRN Healthcare$2,082.93$404.3614,311
TLC Travel Staff$2,110.22$464.0614,261
Gifted Healthcare$2,115.56$555.0014,148
Travel Nurses Inc.$2,120.16$365.6813,959
Solomon Page$2,180.74$468.0513,630
LRS Healthcare$2,218.66$447.1013,381
Health Advocates Network$2,244.98$390.7212,860
Republic Health Resources$2,107.82$490.2012,183
Assured Nursing$2,034.71$409.4812,075
NuWest Group$2,272.31$426.3311,755
Phaxis$2,071.34$324.0311,717
Cynet Health$2,188.60$440.9611,411
Magnet Medical$2,211.47$518.1311,070
Skyline Med Staff$1,968.43$459.8410,894
AHS Staffing$2,094.05$353.5910,845
Zack Group$2,127.38$368.6610,168
Fusion Medical Staffing$2,018.66$410.1410,033
Lead Health$2,295.86$431.529,806
Prime Time Healthcare$2,367.68$423.118,841
Wellspring Nurse Source$2,214.70$393.598,739
American Mobile Healthcare (AMN)$2,322.75$514.168,547
Atlas MedStaff$2,131.30$387.058,524
RTG Medical$1,975.70$411.348,481
National Staffing$1,937.61$698.997,997
Sharp Medical Staffinglife$2,383.49$380.887,937
Ethos Medical Staffing$2,099.76$389.227,848
PRIDE Health$2,146.01$371.017,805
Nightingale Nurses$2,228.45$418.687,521
trustaff$2,050.55$381.077,434
Amare Medical Network$2,155.35$445.307,266
ARM Staffing$2,090.49$438.387,106
Health Carousel - Allied Travel$1,960.68$368.106,973
Destination Travelcare$2,187.26$427.346,938
Nomad Health$2,302.74$406.526,816
GrapeTree Medical Staffing$1,647.07$431.836,704
Health Specialists, Inc.$2,205.51$336.136,479
Next Move, Inc.$2,062.31$345.626,462
MedUS Healthcare$2,167.68$414.166,443
Critical Connection, inc$1,953.96$250.896,237
Premier Medical Staffing$2,102.54$348.536,236
Thrive Staffing$1,885.90$477.636,002
Arrow Healthcare Staffing and Recruiting$2,064.44$388.106,000
Accountable Healthcare Staffing$2,150.31$407.705,921
Delta Healthcare Providers$1,972.16$238.605,898
Guardian HealthStaff, LLC.$2,105.39$359.575,781
3D Medical Staffing$2,216.44$454.425,735
Centra Healthcare$1,701.45$302.815,619
SambaCare$2,305.97$492.715,561
Catapult Healthcare$2,235.02$520.725,492
FlexUp Direct$2,030.12$528.115,405
Source Medical Staffing$2,243.87$413.205,268
Nurses First Solutions$2,090.34$407.415,234
RCM Healthcare Services$2,106.22$432.264,957
Providence Health Care Staffing$1,778.84$568.534,922
Reliable Nurse Staffing$2,268.67$346.854,922
Vital Workforce Solutions$2,154.30$379.704,650
Titan Medical Group$2,271.63$385.614,591
Impresiv Health$2,201.83$443.484,396
Excel Medical Staffing$2,098.26$483.054,355
Remede Consulting Group, Inc.$2,110.61$388.114,223
GQR Healthcare$2,357.58$585.544,160
QS Nurses$1,877.53$551.484,127
Aya Healthcare$2,292.14$472.044,018
Junxion Med Staffing$2,068.60$474.503,983
HumanEdge$2,131.55$389.923,913
ADEX Healthcare Staffing$2,233.90$322.143,867
Favorite Healthcare Staffing$2,096.49$312.033,736
Specialty Professional Services$2,005.06$509.823,695
Prime HealthCare Staffing$1,953.07$383.873,633
Firstat Medical Staffing$2,247.10$406.513,468
Corratel Healthcare$2,586.16$539.803,395
City Mobile Group$2,172.82$362.753,376
Bluebird Staffing$2,179.31$326.223,267
NURSES Etc. STAFFING$2,106.60$574.393,033
Vighter$2,368.07$357.753,026
Cure Healthcare Staffing$2,389.35$338.582,971
eTeam Inc$2,274.06$521.672,971
Voyage Healthcare$2,092.78$478.702,938
The Judge Group$2,523.81$456.882,799
AB Staffing Solutions$2,114.32$564.092,796
Trusted Resource Associates (TRA)$2,241.02$410.392,794
Health Carousel$2,053.81$442.862,668
IntellaPro Staffing$2,281.25$507.542,612
Galaxy Healthcare$2,196.50$342.532,571
RKA Recruiting$2,447.60$394.842,553
Refined Medical Staffing$2,177.28$443.952,549
Trusted Health$2,047.40$567.772,501
Connected Health Care$2,162.94$442.192,483
TLC Nursing$1,933.58$550.082,474
Northside Hospital Choice+Local$2,131.10$466.052,348
Trinity Health FirstChoice$2,314.90$392.642,342
American Medical Staffing$2,021.27$539.612,291
Ink - A Healthcare Staffing Co.$2,397.38$398.072,288
Alliance Medical Staffing$2,059.90$464.922,173
KingFish Healthcare$2,155.31$303.292,128
TinkBird Healthcare Staffing$2,341.53$507.612,089
Fiber Staffing$1,976.43$315.831,952
Med Ninjas$2,287.18$635.601,904
Malone Healthcare Solutions$2,373.85$438.241,899
TheraEX Staffing Services$2,232.69$582.481,860
Marshall Healthcare Staffing$2,198.64$556.881,844
Bestica$2,321.95$343.681,807
MAS Medical Staffing$2,123.14$405.681,786
Plains Medical Staffing$2,161.94$530.731,758
Consolidated Medical Travel$2,710.26$479.521,757
MSSI$2,312.09$488.421,736
The Good Life MedStaff$2,231.35$532.011,720
Rock Medical Group$2,175.83$552.711,580
Pulse Healthcare Services$2,158.07$468.971,508
Greenstaff Medical$2,188.26$541.351,496
Med Travelers (AMN Allied)$1,816.97$436.881,495
IMCS Group$1,963.13$536.531,482
Pioneer Healthcare$1,533.62$343.901,465
Spire Workforce Solutions$2,315.15$376.481,458
Soliant Health$2,385.57$522.591,412
Modern Healthcare Solutions$2,306.74$373.721,401
Halcyon Nurse Staffing$2,193.79$339.741,384
Club Staffing (AMN)$2,042.87$343.091,367
Kiwi Healthcare$2,285.22$467.741,318
Lifeline Healthcare Professionals$2,395.61$492.511,292
Nurses 24/7$2,278.59$607.781,288
MedCall Staffing$2,262.24$308.501,199
Innovate Healthcare Staffing$2,314.84$325.911,151
Onyx Health Care Staffing$2,184.41$439.741,123
iDeal Personnel$1,898.15$405.551,097
Journey Healthcare Solutions$2,121.32$501.571,060
Revolution Healthcare Services$2,225.23$434.461,021
Medical Talent$2,142.97$447.591,009
MedWave Healthcare Staffing$2,228.17$432.711,001
Seven Healthcare$2,255.47$451.29998
Avani Healthcare Staffing$2,149.39$471.79965
Lifeline Medical Staffing$2,161.79$439.87916
Reliant Staffing Solutions$2,334.91$492.88902
Triage Consulting Group$2,128.61$395.61886
Care Partners Staffing$2,060.57$372.50830
Lahey Health$2,583.41$557.87823
Maxim Healthcare Services$2,438.33$567.21781
Vastek Inc.$2,284.79$375.31765
Sunbelt Staffing$2,499.58$440.13724
PS Companies$2,496.37$335.45716
Treva Corporation$2,180.55$327.16704
Mindlance Health$2,427.67$473.05699
Explore Tek$2,403.09$514.15691
Allyon$2,279.19$500.95664
FocusPoint$2,678.54$412.36650
The Stepping Stones Group$1,931.08$378.19650
Nurse Hustle$2,151.58$366.30643
DT-Trak Consulting$2,597.38$358.20608
Siemens Healthineers$2,594.96$392.73597
Froedtert Health$2,239.75$405.18582
ICONMA$2,289.25$377.23576
Insight Global$2,451.31$550.17543
Alliance Healthcare Solutions$1,781.89$407.09540
Cambay Healthcare$2,273.99$513.47535
Beyond Medical Staffing$2,000.14$341.19525
Custom Healthcare Solutions$2,042.08$450.21505
Lucid Staffing Solutions$2,405.86$985.50461
Nurse 2 Nurse Staffing$2,231.51$407.78448
Convergence Medical Staffing$2,131.07$581.39423
Professional Nursing Service$2,643.49$472.27412
MedicalPeople Staffing, LLC$2,545.34$475.35394
VitalHire$2,199.18$549.70373
Delta Medical Staffing$2,320.24$466.87371
Reliable Source Talent$2,495.88$369.02369
Innovent Global$2,249.70$470.21353
Formation, Inc.$2,653.37$610.03327
Becker Health$2,542.07$447.39324
CareNational$2,104.45$568.55317
PeopleFirst RN Staffing$2,100.72$233.91291
Excite Health Partners$2,694.82$500.37290
Open Door Personnel$2,164.84$411.29282
Meda Health$2,160.37$379.63279
Blu Medstaff$1,936.37$386.36277
WorkSquare$1,957.86$362.40261
Medmasa$2,553.45$603.19260
RightPro Staffing$2,299.23$263.47242
Winston Staffing$2,319.56$499.57239
Infojini Healthcare$2,157.61$624.20220
Medasource$2,452.08$263.80212
MedQ GLOBAL STAFFING$2,598.32$458.75200
CareerStaff Unlimited$3,594.02$3,102.07186
Millbrook$2,530.93$361.72179
Solutions by Sanford$2,469.73$426.90158
SojouRN$2,691.52$468.91140
EGA Associates$2,029.53$569.37139
Hire Up Healthcare$2,570.73$429.52139
Fastaff Travel Nursing$2,557.14$490.84134
Southeast HEALTH$2,641.20$391.50127
MARS Solutions Group$2,125.57$803.26117
Adventure Nursing LLC$2,369.01$293.78115
Novo Connections$2,411.06$648.46115
Peregrine Team$3,014.46$588.60106
Cerebral Staffing$2,264.10$609.68101
Advocate Health Staffing$2,583.77$480.9789
Leaders in Care$2,118.66$251.8887
Saratoga Medical Staffing$2,597.99$607.6886
Aptiva Healthcare$2,676.93$688.6777
ATC Healthcare$2,629.08$726.7873
Grady Works$1,903.04$266.6670
Pluto Healthcare Staffing$2,334.94$347.1170
Alto Healthcare Staffing$2,403.24$342.8065
Aura Staffing Partners$1,803.70$233.5851
DirectShifts$2,157.83$623.1646
Axis Medical Staffing$2,196.64$341.2244
CT Assist$2,679.52$668.6144
Loyal Source$2,271.18$652.6831
TruMED Healthcare Staffing$2,542.00$299.0723
Capstone Healthcare Staffing$2,394.09$250.3521
Origin Travel Nurses$2,267.06$258.4716
White Glove Placement$2,983.68$1,765.0116
Tallavera$2,285.85$598.7113
Mynela Staffing$1,842.80$446.6211
Platinum Healthcare Staffing$2,815.89$1,301.7811
Primrose Group$2,435.30$361.1611
Headwaters Healthcare$2,908.52$564.229
Quality Clinicians$2,867.99$176.028
WalkerHealthcare$2,163.28$140.016
All Medical Personnel$1,778.08$496.414
Hamilton Staffing Solutions$2,232.16$375.314
Epic Special Education Staffing (formerly TherapyTravelers)$2,538.00$31.183
Softpath System, LLC$2,214.65$345.213
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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