Want to see how your travel nurse salary stacks up in this unpredictable travel nurse job market?

How about making sure you're getting the higher compensation you should be in our challenging career?

You're in the right place to get all your questions answered about travel nurse pay.

Welcome to our interactive pay explorer - with auto-updates every month!

Since September 2019, we've been continuously tracking travel nurse pay packages.

View our full history of pay insights using the toggle in the right-hand corner of any of our graphs in this article.

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More than four million jobs analyzed and four years later, we're proud to bring you objective overviews on the travel RN job market you can't find anywhere else.

Get the full scoop in this ultimate guide:

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

Do travel nurses earn more money than full-time registered nurses? Overall, definitely!

Keep in mind: Travel nurses make higher salaries on average.

Your potential average annual income will depend on demand for your nursing specialty and where you work.

The averages you see below are measured across all specialties and locations nationwide for a general comparison.

Average Travel Nurse Salary vs Staff Nurse Salary

Travel NursesStaff Nurses
Hourly Rates$58.50$41.50
Weekly Pay$2,100$1,490
Annual Salary$100,000$86,070

The average hourly pay for full-time staff RN's in the U.S. is $41.38, or $1,490 per week, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics registered nurse occupational outlook.

The average hourly rate for travel nurses is $58.50, or $2,100 per week, according to the StellarNurse Ultimate Travel Nurse Salary Explorer.

The average hourly wage for a travel RN is $17 higher than staff nurse pay, and the average salary per week is $610 more .

Extrapolating to compare the average annual salary of a staff nurse vs travel RN pay, the difference is significant, with travel nurses' average annual salary potential reaching upwards to $15,000 more than staff nurses.

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

Why Do Travel Nurses Make So Much?

In short, high demand = higher compensation.

We're all aware many healthcare facilities nationwide are experiencing "nursing shortages". Registered nurses are retiring and/or leaving the bedside altogether, a trend sped up by the pandemic.

It's estimated that by 2025 the US will have a staffing gap of 200,000-450,000 nurses. In other words, 10-20% of direct-patient care nursing jobs will be unfilled.

With nursing skills like ours in high demand, we deserve higher pay. Not to mention the inherent stress we put up with in our challenging career.

Travel nurses earn more competitive wages by having the adaptable skills necessary to fill critical staffing needs and provide meaningful patient care in a pinch with minimal to no orientation.

These critical needs are often on less desirable shifts, so preparing yourself to work night shift would open up more travel nurse job possibilities.

Healthcare facilities entice nurses with more competitive wages due to the extra hardships we take on with the lack of job stability while searching for new jobs every 13 weeks. There's also the lack of a consistent job benefits package and the inconveniences of travel costs and time.

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Is Travel Nursing Worth It?

If you're looking to get more satisfaction in your nursing career, it could definitely be worth it.

It turns out it really is better to be a travel nurse than a staff nurse. A sweeping study analyzing feedback straight from our fellow nurses confirms it.

Travel nurses report higher satisfaction and less workplace stress in their jobs than permanent staff nurses.

Nurses working in travel nurse jobs are more satisfied than permanent staff nurses in key areas:

  • better job satisfaction
  • less work-related stress
  • feeling safer on the job
  • more employer support
  • higher compensation

Working in a travel nurse job isn't easy, but it could elevate your bedside nursing practice and give you more control in your nursing career.

You'll have to decide if the pros outweigh the cons for yourself. The standard contract is only 13 weeks, so I recommend every nurse give it a try.

Pro tip: You should definitely take the time to research what to expect before you commit to a travel nurse job.

Get A Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Understanding how travel nurses' higher wages breakdown will help you compare pay offers and spot the jobs that are worth your relocation.

Travel nurses are typically hired as contracted temporary employees of travel nursing agencies, getting paid on a weekly basis to work in a variety of healthcare facilities.

The most common travel nurse contracts offered are for hospital inpatient units in a healthcare facility. These contracts usually commit you to work:

  • 12 hours/shift
  • 3 shifts/week
  • 36 hours/week
  • 13 weeks total
  • 468 work hours total per contract

Our interactive pay explorer above standardizes all travel nurse wage data around the average 36-hour weekly pay packages.

See A Pay Package Example

Here's an average travel nurse pay package offer for a Medical-Surgical Nurse working 36 hours/week:

  • $400 M&IE (Meals & Incidental Expenses) - per Week
  • $3,200 Housing Stipend - per Month
  • $750 Travel Reimbursement - One Time payment
  • $30 Base Rate - Hourly pay rate

It's confusing! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Let's break this offer down to view your pay per week and per hour. Convert all parts of your travel nurse wages to a standardized hourly rate, then combine to calculate.

Your "M&IE" (meals & incidental expenses) payment is meant to cover your living expenses and daily (diem) meal costs on assignment.

Your housing stipend covers your temporary housing in your assignment location. Remember you should be maintaining housing in your permanent tax home, as well.

Many travel nursing offer travel reimbursements to help offset the higher cost of life on the road.

Pay Package OfferPay per Week (36 hrs)Hourly rates
$400 M&IE Weekly$400$11.11
$3,200 Housing Stipend Monthly$800$22.22
$750 Travel Reimbursement One-time$57.69$1.60
$30 Base Rate Hourly$1,080$30
Total Gross Pay (Pre-Taxes)$2,337.69$64.94

Be aware you may have more living expenses coming out of your travel nursing paycheck, based on what employment benefits package you accept:

  • Taxes based on your permanent tax home rates
  • Agency health insurance - health benefits can start at $20/week
  • Agency 401k retirement plans

Ask your agency what other benefits they provide and how those affect your pay package.

Taxable vs Tax Free Pay

Following on from our pay example above, your travel nurse pay is made up of a taxable hourly wage and tax free income.

Weekly Income per OfferTaxable?
$400 M&IE (Meals & Incidental Expenses)N
$800 Housing StipendN
$57.69 Travel ReimbursementN
$1,080 Hourly Base RateY
$2,337.69 Total$1,080 Taxed

Notice that more than half of this pay package is tax free pay. Ka-ching!

Your tax free stipends, or "Per Diem" pay, are based on daily maximum rates set by the government.  Check gsa.gov's Per Diem rates for your next contract location.

Travel nurses are eligible for Per Diem tax free stipends when working away from your permanent tax home. When receiving tax free pay you MUST duplicate living/housing expenses, required per IRS rules.

This means paying fair market prices for both your accommodation at your travel nursing assignment, AND maintaining your own housing at your permanent tax home.

Many agencies also offer travel reimbursements to help you get money back you spent on travel expenses moving between assignments.

Pro tip: You can still "travel nurse" while living in your own housing at your permanent tax home. The difference is your income will be fully taxed, and you won't be eligible for the the tax free travel nursing pay.

Highest Paying States for Travel Nurses

Which states are really worth the higher cost license fees? Our map shows the highest paying states for travel nurses over the past 12 months.

To view the highest paying states averages since September 2019, use the toggle in the right-hand corner of any of our graphs.

These averages would include crisis rate market fluctuations.

Last 12 months 

Map Chart: Top Paying Travel Nursing States

Highest paying states for travel nurses. Standardized to 36/hour week contracts to compare data accurately.

For more specific travel nurse salary by state, see our table below with detailed pay trends and job availability.

We've included the standard deviation. This shows you how 68% of pay offers spread above and below the average travel RN rates. Picture a bell curve.

For example, 68% of California travel nurse salaries are $2,537.01 +/- $681.08 = pay range of $1,855.93 - $3,218.09.

The 'job count' column gives you a snapshot of each state's job availability.

Highest Paying States for Travel Nurses

Last 12 months 
State Average Weekly Pay Weekly Pay St. Deviation# Jobs Observed
Alaska$2,489.56$554.5918,747
California$2,329.35$520.47185,823
New York$2,320.14$466.26120,550
Massachusetts$2,307.57$474.3998,730
North Dakota$2,275.31$487.3127,303
Wisconsin$2,272.36$488.5773,314
New Jersey$2,241.89$503.8660,351
Maine$2,227.34$456.0234,683
Illinois$2,193.39$409.0784,262
Utah$2,175.25$396.987,194
Arizona$2,170.16$431.5057,112
Hawaii$2,169.28$479.4922,488
Connecticut$2,166.31$422.5428,751
Rhode Island$2,165.91$529.637,835
West Virginia$2,164.25$438.2328,047
Ohio$2,148.89$401.2288,550
Colorado$2,145.25$431.7454,719
Wyoming$2,135.60$455.108,958
Washington$2,133.98$430.6384,442
Nebraska$2,132.80$447.6131,923
Vermont$2,131.27$486.5930,749
New Hampshire$2,120.04$508.5441,629
Oregon$2,119.81$451.4063,148
Nevada$2,114.07$460.1710,824
District Of Columbia$2,109.53$363.699,176
Minnesota$2,107.39$510.0732,954
Montana$2,086.50$407.9027,213
Kentucky$2,075.32$347.3939,990
Iowa$2,074.84$411.4359,615
Virginia$2,071.91$410.0382,004
Idaho$2,053.74$369.1820,095
Michigan$2,048.12$449.0561,613
South Dakota$2,047.54$470.2226,009
Indiana$2,047.42$364.4761,143
Kansas$2,045.93$398.3829,405
Delaware$2,043.34$578.228,119
Missouri$2,015.09$355.1758,738
Maryland$2,012.54$438.6947,894
Oklahoma$2,010.84$347.9338,852
Pennsylvania$1,987.66$507.5485,103
New Mexico$1,954.44$407.1840,072
Louisiana$1,924.77$384.7922,989
Georgia$1,920.84$386.0982,655
Texas$1,915.90$380.38120,748
Tennessee$1,908.84$310.2553,969
North Carolina$1,908.73$362.4596,930
South Carolina$1,896.88$352.1537,745
Florida$1,891.36$374.2850,955
Arkansas$1,870.58$393.1217,906
Mississippi$1,819.81$403.9812,676
Alabama$1,788.17$345.2025,064
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 Nursing Assistant (CNA / CNA)$940.52$283.28865
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA / CRNA)$6,462.99$1,235.9795
Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery (NP / CV/CT Surg)$6,379.92$310.195
Physicist (Non-Healthcare / Phys)$5,220.23$1,093.73625
Perfusionist (Allied / Perf)$5,136.30$1,238.99313
Neonatology (NP / Neonatology)$3,935.98$140.073
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP / FNP)$3,797.58$1,909.02121
Nurse Practitioner (NP / NP)$3,625.68$1,573.3546
Psychiatry - Mental Health (NP / Psych)$3,598.82$246.7113
Assistant Nurse Manager (RN / Asst RN Mgr)$3,158.18$650.08104
Dosimetrist (Allied / Dosimetrist)$2,975.22$589.93453
Critical Care Flight / Transport Nurse (RN / Flight)$2,872.03$598.26150
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RN / RNFA)$2,754.36$692.405,847
Antepartum (Allied / Ante)$2,721.02$834.07409
Visual Impairments Teacher (School Services / School)$2,714.05$605.0121
Pediatric Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / Peds CVOR)$2,694.08$524.67123
Hematology (RN / Heme)$2,659.59$595.2273
Doctor of Pharmacy (Allied / PharmD)$2,645.46$498.165,445
Audiologist (Allied / Aud)$2,614.90$440.50322
Pathology Assistant (Allied / Path Asst)$2,585.62$482.181,452
Public Health (RN / Pub Hlth)$2,577.94$496.5893
Psychologist (Allied / CP)$2,553.69$761.90292
Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / CVOR)$2,543.70$465.3117,870
Lactation (RN / Lactation)$2,539.08$296.4237
Pediatric Operating Room (RN / Peds OR)$2,534.60$498.421,065
Nurse Manager (RN / RN Mgr)$2,525.63$737.504,201
Radiology (RN / Radiology)$2,508.87$471.573,896
Multi-Modality Technologist (Allied / Multi-Modality Technologist)$2,501.54$364.572,296
Director of Nursing (RN / DON)$2,500.56$739.952,068
House Supervisor (Supervisor / House Sup)$2,498.06$524.663,040
Nurse Educator (RN / Education)$2,494.22$497.71681
Cardiac Cath Lab (RN / Cath Lab)$2,489.36$429.5736,782
Interventional Radiology Technologist (Allied / IR Tech)$2,482.93$417.5728,664
Pediatric Oncology (RN / Peds Onc)$2,469.86$1,130.9548
Special Procedures Technologist (Allied / Special Procedures Tech)$2,469.37$457.531,158
Patient Care Coordinator (RN / PCC)$2,468.66$429.8031
Special Procedures (RN / Special Procedures)$2,467.72$379.79434
Infection Control (RN / Infection)$2,466.54$572.741,090
Interventional Radiology (RN / IR)$2,466.43$430.0410,785
School Psychologist, Certified (School Services / NCSP)$2,460.66$1,047.52204
Pediatric Hematology - Oncology (RN / Peds Heme/Onc)$2,454.64$433.57145
Cardiovascular Cath Lab Technologist (Allied / Cardiac Cath Lab Tech)$2,441.99$425.2650,017
Obstetric Ultrasound - Sonographer (Allied / OB/GYN US)$2,439.90$280.4116
Administrative (RN / Admin)$2,439.11$688.65511
Electrophysiology Lab (RN / EP Lab)$2,434.98$432.193,579
Electrophysiology Lab Technician (Allied / EP Lab Tech)$2,429.81$384.385,035
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (RN / PICU)$2,427.32$505.1410,629
Therapeutic Apheresis (RN / Apheresis)$2,426.21$535.65199
Nurse Navigator (RN / RN Navigator)$2,408.43$334.9247
Pediatric Progressive Care Unit (RN / Peds PCU)$2,395.29$385.90479
Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / Peds CVICU)$2,392.18$486.12848
Hematology / Oncology (RN / Heme / Onc)$2,391.92$445.04868
Same Day Surgery (RN / SDS)$2,384.72$246.7422
Computed Tomography Technologist (Allied / CT Tech)$2,380.69$400.35157,092
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist (RN / CDI)$2,374.41$400.4675
Ultrasound-Sonography Technician (Allied / US/Sono Tech)$2,371.88$460.037,851
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Allied / CNMT)$2,365.10$359.4315,779
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (RN / CTICU)$2,363.93$505.15500
Echocardiograph Technologist (Allied / Echo Technologist)$2,362.38$368.5413,177
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (School Services / BCBA)$2,355.50$465.9433
Echocardiograph Technician (Allied / Echo Tech)$2,350.20$396.5312,934
Radiotherapist (Allied / Radiotherapy)$2,345.98$460.845,525
MRI Technician (Allied / MRI Tech)$2,344.88$494.8914,094
Vascular Technologist (Allied / RVT)$2,342.39$436.165,521
Mammography Tech (Allied / Mammo Tech)$2,338.82$475.817,350
Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / Peds PACU)$2,337.95$397.80217
Echo-Vascular Technician (Allied / Echo/Vasc Tech)$2,333.33$418.715,655
Surgical Oncology (RN / Surg Onc)$2,332.74$337.58218
Clinical Nurse Coordinator (RN / CNC)$2,319.93$993.16747
OB/GYN (RN / OB/GYN)$2,319.84$480.925,119
Bone Marrow Transplant (RN / BMT)$2,318.51$423.021,501
Operating Room (RN / OR)$2,318.39$424.7079,177
Pediatric Emergency Department (RN / Peds ED)$2,316.09$421.692,649
Nurse Resident (RN / RN Resident)$2,306.11$625.7615
Cytotechnologist (Allied / Cyto)$2,306.10$412.701,700
MRI Technologist (Allied / MRI Technologist)$2,301.08$376.3746,364
Emergency Medicine (PA / ED)$2,291.60$13.155
Labor & Delivery (RN / L&D)$2,278.52$434.4860,234
Vascular Access Nurse (RN / PICC RN)$2,276.73$307.10450
Urology (RN / Urology)$2,275.92$349.81226
Cardiology (RN / Cardio)$2,273.19$393.562,366
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RN / CRNA)$2,269.03$2,112.82189
Pediatrics (RN / Peds)$2,263.23$461.329,944
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RN / NICU)$2,261.72$441.3213,914
Ultrasound Technologist (Allied / US Technologist)$2,259.13$363.6352,813
Urgent Care (RN / Urgent Care)$2,257.09$547.83658
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / CVICU)$2,248.28$434.9420,550
Wound Care (RN / Wound)$2,241.69$415.412,873
Admissions (RN / ADM)$2,231.44$250.2992
Infusion Therapy (RN / Infusion)$2,225.26$380.052,694
Case Management (RN / CM)$2,220.73$394.3215,776
Perioperative (RN / Peri-op)$2,217.25$439.182,702
Transplant (RN / Transplant)$2,214.29$418.16743
Coronary Care Unit (RN / CCU)$2,211.32$310.657,344
Gastrointestinal Lab (RN / GI Lab)$2,210.21$446.032,307
Float Pool (RN / Float)$2,204.57$391.821,996
Neurology Intensive Care Unit (RN / Neuro ICU)$2,203.25$323.893,932
Pain Management (RN / Pain Mgt)$2,203.19$300.2687
Research / Clinical Research (RN / Research)$2,202.33$523.5152
Diagnostic Radiologist (Allied / Radiologist)$2,199.84$502.411,221
Burn Intensive Care Unit (RN / BICU)$2,197.19$450.88816
Postoperative (RN / Post-op)$2,197.12$317.0480
Postpartum (RN / PP)$2,196.48$431.355,401
Cardiac Stepdown Unit (RN / CSDU)$2,193.50$310.921,558
Radiology Technologist (Allied / X-Ray Technologist)$2,188.65$405.7962,184
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (RN / SICU)$2,188.37$344.572,021
Oncology (RN / Onc)$2,177.73$375.4027,599
Sub-Acute (RN / Sub-Acute)$2,177.27$257.1074
Orthopedic Neurology (RN / Ortho / Neuro)$2,176.96$293.43311
Endoscopy (RN / Endo)$2,167.77$392.8710,957
Direct Observation Unit (RN / DOU)$2,165.20$305.051,666
Ambulatory Care (RN / Amb)$2,163.91$470.562,966
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / PACU)$2,162.45$391.5524,574
Utilization Review (RN / UR)$2,161.38$426.961,150
Emergency Department (RN / ED)$2,154.45$365.10128,404
Medical Surgical Telemetry (RN / Med Surg Tele)$2,148.07$295.6376,355
X-Ray Technician (Allied / X-Ray Tech)$2,146.91$368.642,478
Certified Surgical First Assistant (Allied / CSFA)$2,145.65$450.193,065
Intensive Care Unit (RN / ICU)$2,144.58$366.74102,490
Step Down Unit (RN / SDU)$2,142.35$320.8624,780
Neurology Progressive Care Unit (RN / Neuro PCU)$2,135.10$301.441,016
Nephrology (RN / Neph)$2,125.04$226.91351
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Allied / LCSW)$2,123.17$349.664,367
Neurology (RN / Neuro)$2,117.23$319.186,442
Acute Care (RN / Acute)$2,115.85$360.265,567
Home Health (RN / HH)$2,115.82$337.8632,098
Trauma Intensive Care Unit (RN / TICU)$2,115.37$324.24999
Outpatient Clinic (RN / Outpatient)$2,112.17$455.255,382
CVOR Technologist (Allied / CVOR Tech)$2,108.41$363.0418,372
Progressive Care Unit (RN / PCU)$2,107.81$326.9883,931
Corrections (RN / Corr)$2,105.59$410.093,231
Outpatient Clinic (Allied / Outpatient)$2,105.20$282.4630
Telemetry (RN / Tele)$2,093.66$354.9899,049
Dialysis (RN / Dialysis)$2,082.42$353.6913,836
Occupational Health (RN / Occ Health)$2,075.63$426.30319
Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (RN / CPCU)$2,064.83$262.207,659
Orthopedic (RN / Ortho)$2,059.69$341.719,460
Radiology Technician (Allied / Rad Tech)$2,057.13$348.2835,324
Psychiatric - Mental Health (RN / Psych)$2,052.84$379.1024,708
Medical Surgical (RN / Med Surg)$2,050.64$347.21211,788
Stroke / Neuro (RN / Stroke / Neuro)$2,045.84$264.93193
Long Term Acute Care (RN / LTAC)$2,040.71$366.7615,908
Telehealth (RN / Telehealth)$2,028.67$414.4075
Hospice (RN / Hospice)$2,026.57$308.0210,004
Registered Dietician (Allied / RDCD)$2,007.41$295.15282
Assistant Director of Nursing (RN / Asst. DON)$1,996.23$508.04176
Rehabilitation Therapy (Allied / Rehab Therapy)$1,992.11$372.40568
Respiratory Therapist (Allied / RT)$1,945.92$379.8946,339
Physical Therapy (Therapy / PT)$1,933.26$337.26200,408
Speech Language Pathologist (Allied / SLP)$1,928.08$295.2448,341
Psychiatric - Mental Health Technician (Allied / Psych Tech)$1,912.15$697.04345
Electroencephalogram Technician (Allied / EEG Tech)$1,898.83$343.41666
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (Allied / SLPA)$1,885.17$291.72228
Occupational Therapy (Therapy / OT)$1,880.00$311.4558,783
School Nurse (RN / School Nurse)$1,879.76$605.19216
Recreational Therapist (Therapy / RT)$1,876.42$433.5817
Long Term Care (RN / LTC)$1,859.19$397.5230,885
Obstetric Technician (Allied / OB Tech)$1,857.33$389.20774
Polysomnographer (Allied / Sleep Tech)$1,834.15$357.082,055
Operating Room / Surgical Technician (Allied / OR / Surg Tech)$1,834.12$343.3779,816
Special Education Teacher (School Services / Special Ed)$1,831.34$336.52496
Skilled Nursing Facility (RN / SNF)$1,803.11$446.4810,183
Medical Tech / Medical Laboratory Scientist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Allied / MT / MLS / CLS)$1,788.62$475.5916,822
Electroencephalogram Technologist (Allied / EEG Technologist)$1,784.93$287.93890
Rehabilitation (RN / Rehab)$1,779.23$473.6321,549
Histotechnician (Allied / HT)$1,759.49$390.972,281
Home Health (Allied / HH)$1,740.33$307.847
Charge Nurse (RN / Charge)$1,727.77$511.44669
Anesthesia Technician (Allied / Anesthesia Tech)$1,690.83$690.76493
Electrocardiograph Technician (Allied / EKG Tech)$1,684.84$557.9157
Telemetry Monitor Technician (Allied / Tele / Monitor Tech)$1,661.22$496.27458
Long Term Acute Care (LPN / LVN / LTAC)$1,632.82$296.0297
Paramedic (Allied / Paramedic)$1,627.60$332.69153
Endoscopy Technician (Allied / Endo Tech)$1,612.83$382.351,174
Emergency Department (LPN / LVN / ED)$1,612.54$410.48199
American Sign Language Teacher (School Services / ASL Teacher)$1,572.90$107.816
Corrections (LPN / LVN / Corr)$1,559.92$299.891,996
Home Health (LPN / LVN / HH)$1,544.11$221.584,112
Telemetry (LPN / LVN / Tele)$1,530.82$327.54364
Psychiatric - Mental Health (LPN / LVN / Psych)$1,508.13$289.61792
Outpatient Clinic (LPN / LVN / Outpatient)$1,447.18$268.133,550
( / Rehab)$1,428.33$237.83252
Long Term Care (LPN / LVN / LTC)$1,414.83$261.2034,857
School Nurse (LPN / LVN / School Nurse)$1,406.26$297.4164
Medical Surgical (LPN / LVN / Med Surg)$1,402.92$269.994,388
Hospice (LPN / LVN / Hospice)$1,390.69$243.47434
Antepartum (RN / Antepartum)$1,385.33$689.79813
Emergency Department Technician (Allied / ED Tech)$1,383.93$369.53102
Pharmacy Technician (Allied / Pharm Tech)$1,344.59$310.94710
Physical Therapy Assistant (Therapy / PTA)$1,342.70$231.6439,695
Skilled Nursing Facility (LPN / LVN / SNF)$1,341.24$314.33394
Occupational Therapy Assistant (Therapy / OTA)$1,325.78$210.8810,643
Dialysis Technician (Allied / Dialysis Tech)$1,321.77$186.27753
LPN / LVN (LPN / LVN / LPN / LVN)$1,294.60$283.6723,441
Sterile Processing Technician (Allied / SPT)$1,293.39$252.265,367
Patient Care Technician (Allied / PCT)$1,240.37$545.01229
Phlebotomy (Allied / Phlebotomist)$1,186.82$306.47229
Home Health (CNA / HH)$1,141.32$423.7613
Clerical (Non-Healthcare / Clerical)$1,129.81$570.8412
Skilled Nursing Facility (Allied / SNF)$1,113.82$144.9814
Certified Medical Assistant (Allied / CMA)$1,073.16$306.46890
Medical Surgical (CNA / Med Surg)$1,043.33$285.49247
Long Term Care (CNA / LTC)$1,037.85$300.70852
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
Convergence Medical Staffing$2,209.57$1,014.8999
Triage Staffing$2,012.53$608.0795,256
Innovate Healthcare Staffing$2,304.94$313.26943
Aequor Healthcare$2,002.00$403.5994,210
Reliant Staffing Solutions$2,310.13$488.44923
Peregrine Team$3,057.53$603.2492
PRIDE Health$2,150.51$369.979,141
Headwaters Healthcare$2,908.52$564.229
Primrose Group$2,352.28$343.829
Lead Health$2,286.61$424.768,985
Onyx Health Care Staffing$2,179.40$446.20890
Phaxis$2,062.17$314.558,885
Novo Connections$2,457.91$659.3488
Lifeline Medical Staffing$2,165.18$437.26864
MARS Solutions Group$2,014.79$876.1286
Sharp Medical Staffinglife$2,381.26$401.948,575
Wellspring Nurse Source$2,192.44$397.358,516
MedWave Healthcare Staffing$2,205.71$332.81845
Aptiva Healthcare$2,695.09$677.0284
Prime Time Healthcare$2,371.33$417.718,205
Care Partners Staffing$2,057.37$370.21812
National Staffing$1,933.97$694.138,089
Meda Health$2,190.07$366.82806
Ethos Medical Staffing$2,091.67$387.628,011
United Staffing Solutions$2,211.05$386.8380
Quality Clinicians$2,867.99$176.028
American Mobile Healthcare (AMN)$2,346.59$505.587,790
PS Companies$2,499.63$339.38734
Grady Works$1,929.36$257.3573
Beyond Medical Staffing$2,044.67$366.46725
ATC Healthcare$2,631.15$731.6772
Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health)$2,181.89$407.0069,847
Club Staffing (AMN)$2,013.60$364.50692
Pluto Healthcare Staffing$2,295.35$335.1069
Health Carousel - Allied Travel$1,958.46$368.956,842
Adventure Nursing LLC$2,349.46$282.9568
Mindlance Health$2,408.61$460.67678
Treva Corporation$2,174.16$326.23675
trustaff$2,039.43$375.196,714
Maxim Healthcare Services$2,445.69$577.52667
Sunbelt Staffing$2,485.12$420.78656
Alto Healthcare Staffing$2,403.24$342.8065
Froedtert Health$2,231.46$409.62639
Nightingale Nurses$2,184.99$394.356,387
Host Healthcare$2,235.20$846.6262,972
GrapeTree Medical Staffing$1,657.27$423.546,219
Lahey Health$2,631.32$529.20621
Atlas MedStaff$2,120.31$383.876,207
Next Move, Inc.$2,058.13$347.816,182
ARM Staffing$2,067.73$429.616,152
Thrive Staffing$1,895.97$477.466,147
Nurse Hustle$2,163.98$378.93604
Triage Consulting Group$2,111.63$398.09599
Arrow Healthcare Staffing and Recruiting$2,063.23$381.615,981
Premier Healthcare Professionals$2,179.57$463.3759,550
DT-Trak Consulting$2,600.10$353.88595
Delta Healthcare Providers$1,972.20$238.555,890
Leaders in Care$2,093.19$233.5958
Critical Connection, inc$1,960.21$252.585,799
ICONMA$2,289.25$377.23576
FlexUp Direct$2,037.97$530.265,759
MedPro Healthcare Staffing$2,096.45$424.4957,411
Allyon$2,265.03$493.14571
CoreMedical Group$1,928.49$371.0656,935
Centra Healthcare$1,702.76$296.765,672
Premier Medical Staffing$2,087.25$350.745,664
TotalMed$2,068.89$397.5855,272
Siemens Healthineers$2,620.82$355.20551
Saratoga Medical Staffing$2,648.65$656.2055
Catapult Healthcare$2,238.06$521.035,483
ADEX Healthcare Staffing$2,242.54$322.365,468
Insight Global$2,439.39$541.55536
Cambay Healthcare$2,273.99$513.47535
Providence Health Care Staffing$1,821.53$588.925,335
Formation, Inc.$2,335.99$635.60531
Destination Travelcare$2,156.22$402.265,276
Source Medical Staffing$2,226.55$409.405,185
SambaCare$2,309.21$478.815,090
The Stepping Stones Group$1,887.38$364.83508
Reliable Nurse Staffing$2,267.21$344.175,046
Accountable Healthcare Staffing$2,118.32$383.145,034
FocusPoint$2,684.74$407.26500
RCM Healthcare Services$2,106.94$431.994,884
OneStaff Medical$1,916.87$557.9247,658
Health Specialists, Inc.$2,196.59$346.314,705
Amare Medical Network$2,165.70$457.734,696
Nurses First Solutions$2,080.51$411.754,647
Lucid Staffing Solutions$2,402.39$983.76460
Ventura MedStaff$1,975.26$455.1945,086
Hire Up Healthcare$2,675.59$436.9245
Guardian HealthStaff, LLC.$2,097.27$360.774,414
Prime HealthCare Staffing$1,973.83$388.214,401
Axis Medical Staffing$2,196.64$341.2244
Planet Healthcare$2,159.52$424.5843,928
Remede Consulting Group, Inc.$2,123.58$373.594,349
Titan Medical Group$2,262.41$388.714,319
LanceSoft$2,283.66$396.3441,840
LeaderStat$2,150.16$429.1341,606
Access Healthcare Staffing$2,200.55$500.8340,758
Alliance Healthcare Solutions$1,675.44$357.26407
Custom Healthcare Solutions$2,015.03$409.99407
RNnetwork$2,015.00$628.1640,552
Professional Nursing Service$2,579.17$414.69405
VitalHire$2,172.24$548.60405
CT Assist$2,660.70$697.8840
All Medical Personnel$1,778.08$496.414
Hamilton Staffing Solutions$2,232.16$375.314
Aya Healthcare$2,291.28$471.513,972
Genie Healthcare$2,120.97$457.7938,832
Vital Workforce Solutions$2,152.53$379.723,873
Aura Staffing Partners$1,792.99$231.3638
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions$2,011.86$362.5137,811
MedicalPeople Staffing, LLC$2,508.30$450.32377
GQR Healthcare$2,300.73$598.263,731
Excel Medical Staffing$2,124.45$455.653,725
Favorite Healthcare Staffing$2,095.74$310.783,721
HumanEdge$2,127.52$385.263,710
Cross Country Healthcare$2,075.47$477.6936,653
QS Nurses$1,880.84$551.783,662
Marvel Medical Staffing$1,978.68$398.7935,950
City Mobile Group$2,180.59$362.493,508
eTeam Inc$2,229.06$501.643,485
Innovent Global$2,239.95$466.36347
Healthcare Support$2,085.12$401.7734,624
Impresiv Health$2,214.68$456.983,457
DirectShifts$2,154.71$569.1934
TLC Nursing$1,954.29$554.583,376
Cerebral Staffing$2,420.23$760.7933
Firstat Medical Staffing$2,251.00$405.773,277
3D Medical Staffing$2,207.72$469.453,161
Medical Solutions$2,106.25$436.0231,127
Uniti Med$1,842.74$530.0230,947
Vighter$2,368.01$357.493,032
Delta Medical Staffing$2,326.37$497.03302
Corratel Healthcare$2,547.57$502.633,017
Epic Special Education Staffing (formerly TherapyTravelers)$2,538.00$31.183
Platinum Healthcare Staffing$2,295.60$591.333
Softpath System, LLC$2,214.65$345.213
Cure Healthcare Staffing$2,376.41$335.812,963
Becker Health$2,479.61$408.76291
Specialty Professional Services$2,036.49$510.342,883
Voyage Healthcare$2,091.02$466.652,854
Excite Health Partners$2,667.26$496.76285
Open Door Personnel$2,166.13$409.29283
AB Staffing Solutions$2,116.75$563.132,799
CareNational$2,124.67$549.12276
Refined Medical Staffing$2,166.59$437.362,752
Health Carousel$2,053.16$441.742,689
MedUS Healthcare$2,204.57$405.532,682
Go Healthcare$2,018.42$492.3226,641
Infojini Healthcare$2,170.60$598.37262
Trusted Resource Associates (TRA)$2,245.34$409.522,614
Junxion Med Staffing$2,066.53$495.792,602
Reliable Source Talent$2,521.82$386.68259
Galaxy Healthcare$2,201.13$324.222,588
Connected Health Care$2,154.88$436.562,576
Healthcare Staffing - IDR, Inc$1,963.15$459.4625,719
Bluebird Staffing$2,172.48$331.952,565
GLC On-The-Go$1,851.57$514.1225,568
Blu Medstaff$1,921.85$368.79255
RightPro Staffing$2,296.32$263.37253
Explore Tek$2,265.80$601.93252
Nurse First Travel Agency$2,175.26$367.0625,179
American Medical Staffing$1,999.62$523.682,515
ADEX Medical Staffing$2,237.77$331.9725,149
Trusted Health$2,046.95$566.342,498
WorkSquare$1,947.49$366.10246
MedCall Staffing$2,323.58$273.20245
The Judge Group$2,526.45$455.232,429
American Traveler$2,137.21$343.7524,075
Coast Medical Service$2,187.18$421.1824,056
CrossMed$2,034.84$402.6823,913
PeopleFirst RN Staffing$2,104.88$244.62234
Medmasa$2,620.27$589.53232
IntellaPro Staffing$2,289.27$522.932,295
Winston Staffing$2,318.46$504.81228
Supplemental Health Care$1,847.76$488.5922,579
Trinity Health FirstChoice$2,319.77$394.722,255
TactStaff$2,188.35$357.5322,137
Medasource$2,441.95$280.28219
Jackson Therapy Partners$1,908.38$415.5821,872
Alliance Medical Staffing$2,060.72$465.582,164
Anders Group$2,096.08$430.7221,529
TRS Healthcare$2,060.43$413.5221,165
Capstone Healthcare Staffing$2,394.09$250.3521
FlexCare Medical Staffing$2,132.15$430.7620,752
Advantis Medical Staffing$2,080.93$374.5420,704
KPG Healthcare$2,181.44$539.8920,354
Med Ninjas$2,287.28$630.572,018
Stability Healthcare$2,117.41$389.9620,060
Loyal Source$2,345.83$790.4020
Nationwide Therapy Group$1,811.57$510.2919,373
Jackson Nurse Professionals$2,125.93$442.8319,327
Fiber Staffing$1,974.71$311.621,926
ADN Healthcare$2,211.18$407.0519,218
KingFish Healthcare$2,142.25$292.311,871
Bestica$2,322.60$343.321,851
Millbrook$2,547.18$362.50184
Focus Staff$2,142.04$502.6918,387
TheraEX Staffing Services$2,217.37$577.941,826
Ardor Health Solutions$2,043.60$408.2718,010
Northside Hospital Choice+Local$2,140.03$470.541,791
TinkBird Healthcare Staffing$2,332.11$528.301,787
Marshall Healthcare Staffing$2,174.46$575.981,748
Travel Nurse Across America$2,204.39$413.2917,073
Malone Healthcare Solutions$2,370.49$434.871,703
MAS Medical Staffing$2,102.37$413.911,692
The Good Life MedStaff$2,209.73$527.131,688
CareerStaff Unlimited$3,582.24$3,141.61167
Consolidated Medical Travel$2,657.52$461.581,665
CareTeam Solutions$1,999.42$455.4916,515
Ink - A Healthcare Staffing Co.$2,408.13$419.381,647
Vibra Travels$2,165.32$310.5916,250
MedQ GLOBAL STAFFING$2,587.84$469.02162
ALOIS Healthcare$2,120.78$463.4616,199
GHR Travel Nursing$2,234.25$355.6316,092
Synergy Medical Staffing$1,952.24$482.8716,060
White Glove Placement$2,983.68$1,765.0116
Rock Medical Group$2,208.39$548.071,596
Pulse Healthcare Services$2,154.41$460.321,588
Summit Medical Staffing$2,182.77$419.2015,871
Plains Medical Staffing$2,132.44$534.641,569
Solutions by Sanford$2,468.69$434.98152
RKA Recruiting$2,440.43$405.681,500
AMN Healthcare Allied$1,956.52$484.6314,859
IMCS Group$1,963.13$536.531,482
Greenstaff Medical$2,181.40$532.301,481
Vocaday$2,123.41$461.9414,730
GetMed Staffing, Inc.$1,902.93$441.3014,570
Revolution Healthcare Services$2,230.79$427.221,446
Springboard Healthcare$2,339.44$351.9814,436
Travel Nurses Inc.$2,110.59$370.5114,214
Vastek Inc.$2,301.41$401.541,419
NURSES Etc. STAFFING$2,097.46$582.061,401
MSSI$2,334.79$467.311,399
Modern Healthcare Solutions$2,297.91$370.351,396
SojouRN$2,680.41$475.69139
LRS Healthcare$2,205.31$439.9813,886
Med Travelers (AMN Allied)$1,812.79$448.221,386
Solomon Page$2,174.84$464.6613,710
SkyBridge Healthcare$1,848.39$387.1913,682
Gifted Healthcare$2,096.71$548.9713,532
Spire Workforce Solutions$2,322.81$371.241,344
Fastaff Travel Nursing$2,576.82$488.58134
Tallavera$2,285.85$598.7113
Health Advocates Network$2,237.81$385.8412,981
Soliant Health$2,385.47$529.881,285
PRN Healthcare$2,055.20$392.6412,790
Lifeline Healthcare Professionals$2,389.99$489.141,257
Aureus Medical Group$2,165.34$434.05124,412
Southeast HEALTH$2,643.11$397.21123
Fusion Medical Staffing$2,013.89$402.9112,289
Origin Travel Nurses$2,210.40$267.4112
Halcyon Nurse Staffing$2,198.89$344.211,192
TLC Travel Staff$2,115.28$468.6911,879
AHS Staffing$2,076.26$348.8211,370
Magnet Medical$2,202.68$515.9111,206
Republic Health Resources$2,108.57$493.0611,190
RTG Medical$1,979.49$411.4111,148
EGA Associates$2,039.20$609.85111
Avani Healthcare Staffing$2,097.47$458.791,103
Mynela Staffing$1,842.80$446.6211
Nurses 24/7$2,336.96$553.651,099
Assured Nursing$2,030.35$414.1110,986
Cynet Health$2,185.72$444.3310,968
NuWest Group$2,260.10$421.0410,951
iDeal Personnel$1,889.59$396.971,095
Seven Healthcare$2,234.44$436.881,059
Zack Group$2,118.63$370.0310,588
Kiwi Healthcare$2,271.68$475.591,025
Journey Healthcare Solutions$2,103.71$499.961,010
Skyline Med Staff$1,974.24$451.3010,061
Medical Talent$2,140.82$447.031,004
Advocate Health Staffing$2,361.34$459.0110
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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