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

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$2,483.53$549.5920,522
California$2,335.77$522.01203,839
New York$2,324.82$471.04130,358
Massachusetts$2,312.30$475.32106,826
North Dakota$2,284.22$483.6229,631
Wisconsin$2,269.54$481.4879,529
New Jersey$2,262.12$517.8466,328
Maine$2,223.99$455.6836,953
Illinois$2,194.57$407.8990,314
Utah$2,178.60$389.797,991
Hawaii$2,176.94$481.2024,525
Arizona$2,175.60$429.3761,553
Connecticut$2,170.76$419.3531,680
Rhode Island$2,166.82$527.358,521
West Virginia$2,164.69$435.1630,295
Ohio$2,154.52$399.7995,055
Colorado$2,148.87$432.3758,955
Vermont$2,136.55$484.6133,358
Washington$2,136.10$428.5592,781
Wyoming$2,134.37$455.279,729
Nebraska$2,130.59$448.2633,830
Oregon$2,119.63$457.4169,175
Nevada$2,118.63$457.9511,647
New Hampshire$2,118.36$505.3245,184
District Of Columbia$2,117.79$366.3810,045
Minnesota$2,111.78$509.4235,580
Montana$2,085.09$407.8729,626
Kentucky$2,077.54$347.0643,118
Virginia$2,074.51$409.7588,737
Iowa$2,071.16$414.4664,378
Idaho$2,056.18$365.7022,083
South Dakota$2,053.23$469.7127,744
Indiana$2,052.78$360.7766,814
Michigan$2,050.16$445.6366,388
Delaware$2,045.86$579.128,645
Kansas$2,045.01$394.2831,614
Missouri$2,017.75$352.8763,891
Maryland$2,017.18$436.5552,335
Oklahoma$2,008.36$348.2541,631
Pennsylvania$1,994.16$509.0391,590
New Mexico$1,962.61$409.1743,327
Louisiana$1,923.51$383.3424,549
Georgia$1,922.41$385.4888,054
Texas$1,921.89$383.40129,768
North Carolina$1,915.71$360.80104,876
Tennessee$1,915.34$312.1657,684
South Carolina$1,896.25$351.4940,695
Florida$1,895.99$375.9954,059
Arkansas$1,878.18$392.3919,491
Mississippi$1,826.98$398.4213,499
Alabama$1,794.11$347.0626,892
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)$6,446.99$1,269.39132
Cardiovascular/Cardiothoracic Surgery (NP / CV/CT Surg)$6,379.92$310.195
Physicist (Non-Healthcare / Phys)$5,213.13$1,097.83644
Perfusionist (Allied / Perf)$4,824.34$1,464.20374
Urgent Care (NP / Urgent Care)$3,879.00$831.413
Neonatology (NP / Neonatology)$3,865.39$519.546
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP / FNP)$3,833.54$1,857.09135
Psychiatry - Mental Health (NP / Psych)$3,598.82$246.7113
Nurse Practitioner (NP / NP)$3,379.49$1,594.0854
Assistant Nurse Manager (RN / Asst RN Mgr)$3,158.18$650.08104
Dosimetrist (Allied / Dosimetrist)$2,972.16$590.43455
Critical Care Flight / Transport Nurse (RN / Flight)$2,867.70$662.34165
Hematology (RN / Heme)$2,765.92$653.8791
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RN / RNFA)$2,756.60$696.736,231
Emergency Medicine (PA / ED)$2,709.23$952.127
Antepartum (Allied / Ante)$2,706.60$825.64446
Pediatric Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / Peds CVOR)$2,696.69$512.61129
Doctor of Pharmacy (Allied / PharmD)$2,636.46$499.705,676
Visual Impairments Teacher (School Services / School)$2,619.41$546.5029
Public Health (RN / Pub Hlth)$2,614.82$534.46107
Audiologist (Allied / Aud)$2,612.19$456.76336
Pathology Assistant (Allied / Path Asst)$2,588.90$477.181,514
Lactation (RN / Lactation)$2,583.40$325.5040
Cardiovascular Operating Room (RN / CVOR)$2,559.51$465.8719,833
Pediatric Operating Room (RN / Peds OR)$2,558.66$518.131,239
Psychologist (Allied / CP)$2,527.56$745.95319
Nurse Manager (RN / RN Mgr)$2,524.92$732.374,478
Radiology (RN / Radiology)$2,515.43$473.054,242
Director of Nursing (RN / DON)$2,502.96$735.402,141
Cardiac Cath Lab (RN / Cath Lab)$2,500.41$430.5940,420
Multi-Modality Technologist (Allied / Multi-Modality Technologist)$2,493.34$364.492,502
Infection Control (RN / Infection)$2,492.00$592.021,158
House Supervisor (Supervisor / House Sup)$2,491.19$521.303,304
Nurse Educator (RN / Education)$2,485.31$487.35778
Pediatric Hematology - Oncology (RN / Peds Heme/Onc)$2,484.66$482.34156
Interventional Radiology Technologist (Allied / IR Tech)$2,482.28$415.3330,673
Special Procedures Technologist (Allied / Special Procedures Tech)$2,475.97$449.411,398
Interventional Radiology (RN / IR)$2,475.68$432.9211,933
Same Day Surgery (RN / SDS)$2,472.64$407.1328
Special Procedures (RN / Special Procedures)$2,469.89$377.08461
Pediatric Oncology (RN / Peds Onc)$2,458.72$1,054.4156
Electrophysiology Lab (RN / EP Lab)$2,449.74$439.623,819
School Psychologist, Certified (School Services / NCSP)$2,444.44$1,025.73217
Cardiovascular Cath Lab Technologist (Allied / Cardiac Cath Lab Tech)$2,442.91$423.6754,522
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (RN / PICU)$2,440.99$510.0311,765
Therapeutic Apheresis (RN / Apheresis)$2,440.63$526.01212
Administrative (RN / Admin)$2,440.54$689.35534
Obstetric Ultrasound - Sonographer (Allied / OB/GYN US)$2,439.90$280.4116
Electrophysiology Lab Technician (Allied / EP Lab Tech)$2,432.81$386.915,373
Patient Care Coordinator (RN / PCC)$2,431.49$456.7935
Hematology / Oncology (RN / Heme / Onc)$2,420.17$487.67938
Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / Peds CVICU)$2,411.16$495.08930
Nurse Navigator (RN / RN Navigator)$2,406.97$318.8653
Pediatric Progressive Care Unit (RN / Peds PCU)$2,392.47$396.53541
Computed Tomography Technologist (Allied / CT Tech)$2,380.12$397.78169,636
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist (RN / CDI)$2,374.91$397.8076
Echocardiograph Technologist (Allied / Echo Technologist)$2,368.94$376.4514,119
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Allied / CNMT)$2,360.40$358.9216,744
Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / Peds PACU)$2,359.68$400.21233
Bone Marrow Transplant (RN / BMT)$2,357.95$474.961,673
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (RN / CTICU)$2,355.74$501.46529
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RN / CRNA)$2,353.33$2,124.73196
Ultrasound-Sonography Technician (Allied / US/Sono Tech)$2,352.93$443.199,460
Echocardiograph Technician (Allied / Echo Tech)$2,351.44$393.1614,353
Radiotherapist (Allied / Radiotherapy)$2,349.04$463.405,878
Vascular Technologist (Allied / RVT)$2,343.80$433.965,899
Echo-Vascular Technician (Allied / Echo/Vasc Tech)$2,342.11$417.846,101
MRI Technician (Allied / MRI Tech)$2,338.30$481.2115,598
Mammography Tech (Allied / Mammo Tech)$2,332.82$469.037,963
Pediatric Emergency Department (RN / Peds ED)$2,330.64$428.313,125
Operating Room (RN / OR)$2,329.22$428.4587,760
Surgical Oncology (RN / Surg Onc)$2,329.20$362.04232
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (School Services / BCBA)$2,321.03$463.2236
OB/GYN (RN / OB/GYN)$2,319.99$480.295,509
Nurse Resident (RN / RN Resident)$2,306.11$625.7615
Clinical Nurse Coordinator (RN / CNC)$2,302.82$964.28798
MRI Technologist (Allied / MRI Technologist)$2,302.04$375.5848,697
Cytotechnologist (Allied / Cyto)$2,301.70$414.181,754
Urology (RN / Urology)$2,290.21$363.77245
Labor & Delivery (RN / L&D)$2,283.28$435.3265,620
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RN / NICU)$2,272.16$439.7515,375
Vascular Access Nurse (RN / PICC RN)$2,268.68$303.70476
Pediatrics (RN / Peds)$2,267.01$467.3111,097
Cardiology (RN / Cardio)$2,266.50$388.382,541
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (RN / CVICU)$2,260.16$444.8622,270
Ultrasound Technologist (Allied / US Technologist)$2,260.08$369.7656,492
Wound Care (RN / Wound)$2,252.68$417.533,032
Urgent Care (RN / Urgent Care)$2,244.27$543.62694
Admissions (RN / ADM)$2,228.21$247.01100
Infusion Therapy (RN / Infusion)$2,224.75$377.172,986
Transplant (RN / Transplant)$2,222.86$420.39782
Case Management (RN / CM)$2,222.35$390.1917,048
Coronary Care Unit (RN / CCU)$2,217.55$311.068,097
Perioperative (RN / Peri-op)$2,213.95$435.843,028
Gastrointestinal Lab (RN / GI Lab)$2,210.94$438.262,581
Float Pool (RN / Float)$2,209.62$390.172,125
Neurology Intensive Care Unit (RN / Neuro ICU)$2,205.21$324.104,306
Pain Management (RN / Pain Mgt)$2,203.19$300.2687
Research / Clinical Research (RN / Research)$2,202.33$523.5152
Diagnostic Radiologist (Allied / Radiologist)$2,201.64$500.341,236
Burn Intensive Care Unit (RN / BICU)$2,196.98$445.62879
Postpartum (RN / PP)$2,196.07$438.375,896
Cardiac Stepdown Unit (RN / CSDU)$2,195.16$311.851,637
Radiology Technologist (Allied / X-Ray Technologist)$2,193.30$405.0867,058
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (RN / SICU)$2,191.29$347.932,175
Postoperative (RN / Post-op)$2,190.31$316.0982
Oncology (RN / Onc)$2,186.31$386.5030,316
Ambulatory Care (RN / Amb)$2,176.20$474.423,255
Utilization Review (RN / UR)$2,174.33$426.331,223
Sub-Acute (RN / Sub-Acute)$2,173.47$254.8276
Endoscopy (RN / Endo)$2,172.73$390.3711,909
Direct Observation Unit (RN / DOU)$2,171.58$306.291,840
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (RN / PACU)$2,169.32$392.1326,545
Orthopedic Neurology (RN / Ortho / Neuro)$2,168.34$289.48335
Emergency Department (RN / ED)$2,160.84$363.71140,555
Medical Surgical Telemetry (RN / Med Surg Tele)$2,153.11$297.1283,418
Intensive Care Unit (RN / ICU)$2,150.79$365.64110,124
X-Ray Technician (Allied / X-Ray Tech)$2,148.11$366.513,196
Step Down Unit (RN / SDU)$2,146.84$319.9427,269
Outpatient Clinic (Allied / Outpatient)$2,146.31$259.5940
Certified Surgical First Assistant (Allied / CSFA)$2,144.71$444.823,309
Neurology Progressive Care Unit (RN / Neuro PCU)$2,135.58$302.181,102
Nephrology (RN / Neph)$2,132.89$250.91381
Acute Care (RN / Acute)$2,121.97$371.395,981
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Allied / LCSW)$2,121.29$348.474,809
Neurology (RN / Neuro)$2,117.30$318.036,970
Trauma Intensive Care Unit (RN / TICU)$2,117.00$323.131,046
Home Health (RN / HH)$2,115.57$334.9534,633
CVOR Technologist (Allied / CVOR Tech)$2,113.08$363.0019,842
Progressive Care Unit (RN / PCU)$2,111.59$326.2989,387
Outpatient Clinic (RN / Outpatient)$2,111.29$452.276,035
Corrections (RN / Corr)$2,111.13$410.753,445
Telemetry (RN / Tele)$2,101.21$355.19108,396
Occupational Health (RN / Occ Health)$2,087.57$426.21343
Dialysis (RN / Dialysis)$2,084.84$349.1314,860
Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (RN / CPCU)$2,065.15$262.517,698
Orthopedic (RN / Ortho)$2,064.47$339.0110,470
Radiology Technician (Allied / Rad Tech)$2,060.19$349.3237,217
Psychiatric - Mental Health (RN / Psych)$2,057.66$376.7426,982
Medical Surgical (RN / Med Surg)$2,054.49$346.96230,063
Long Term Acute Care (RN / LTAC)$2,046.76$367.5117,050
Telehealth (RN / Telehealth)$2,040.27$401.57101
Stroke / Neuro (RN / Stroke / Neuro)$2,035.92$277.62212
Hospice (RN / Hospice)$2,029.66$307.2410,780
Rehabilitation Therapy (Allied / Rehab Therapy)$2,017.57$383.16645
Assistant Director of Nursing (RN / Asst. DON)$2,015.85$538.63182
Registered Dietician (Allied / RDCD)$2,013.88$285.07320
Respiratory Therapist (Allied / RT)$1,948.36$378.7949,239
Physical Therapy (Therapy / PT)$1,932.11$334.28212,362
Speech Language Pathologist (Allied / SLP)$1,929.12$295.1851,012
Psychiatric - Mental Health Technician (Allied / Psych Tech)$1,923.13$707.88353
Electroencephalogram Technician (Allied / EEG Tech)$1,905.02$345.92750
School Nurse (RN / School Nurse)$1,899.16$562.51255
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (Allied / SLPA)$1,897.65$302.05287
Occupational Therapy (Therapy / OT)$1,879.89$309.0062,998
Recreational Therapist (Therapy / RT)$1,876.42$433.5817
Long Term Care (RN / LTC)$1,862.17$398.4032,669
Obstetric Technician (Allied / OB Tech)$1,858.89$385.98860
Operating Room / Surgical Technician (Allied / OR / Surg Tech)$1,842.58$343.0987,924
Polysomnographer (Allied / Sleep Tech)$1,841.67$360.552,259
Special Education Teacher (School Services / Special Ed)$1,841.43$332.92543
Skilled Nursing Facility (RN / SNF)$1,800.31$443.3211,105
Medical Tech / Medical Laboratory Scientist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Allied / MT / MLS / CLS)$1,795.68$468.7619,022
Electroencephalogram Technologist (Allied / EEG Technologist)$1,785.24$300.22960
American Sign Language Teacher (School Services / ASL Teacher)$1,772.82$329.6810
Rehabilitation (RN / Rehab)$1,770.95$479.0423,666
Histotechnician (Allied / HT)$1,764.62$389.682,440
Home Health (Allied / HH)$1,740.33$307.847
Charge Nurse (RN / Charge)$1,734.70$497.03736
Telemetry Monitor Technician (Allied / Tele / Monitor Tech)$1,694.47$548.36505
Anesthesia Technician (Allied / Anesthesia Tech)$1,678.11$664.03545
Long Term Acute Care (LPN / LVN / LTAC)$1,626.67$288.40104
Emergency Department (LPN / LVN / ED)$1,625.26$393.97224
Endoscopy Technician (Allied / Endo Tech)$1,620.82$376.691,281
Paramedic (Allied / Paramedic)$1,611.51$331.23167
Electrocardiograph Technician (Allied / EKG Tech)$1,583.39$566.2369
Corrections (LPN / LVN / Corr)$1,564.44$303.002,060
Home Health (LPN / LVN / HH)$1,545.15$222.284,403
Telemetry (LPN / LVN / Tele)$1,538.52$337.13391
Psychiatric - Mental Health (LPN / LVN / Psych)$1,515.55$289.51844
Outpatient Clinic (LPN / LVN / Outpatient)$1,449.31$268.453,778
( / Rehab)$1,422.90$241.41265
School Nurse (LPN / LVN / School Nurse)$1,418.84$294.6572
Emergency Department Technician (Allied / ED Tech)$1,415.70$403.66117
Long Term Care (LPN / LVN / LTC)$1,414.47$265.7137,241
Medical Surgical (LPN / LVN / Med Surg)$1,407.04$272.104,858
Hospice (LPN / LVN / Hospice)$1,384.50$226.43772
Antepartum (RN / Antepartum)$1,371.80$672.39920
Skilled Nursing Facility (LPN / LVN / SNF)$1,351.41$312.36422
Pharmacy Technician (Allied / Pharm Tech)$1,345.24$306.46775
Physical Therapy Assistant (Therapy / PTA)$1,341.75$231.8741,772
Occupational Therapy Assistant (Therapy / OTA)$1,324.59$210.5511,601
Dialysis Technician (Allied / Dialysis Tech)$1,321.44$182.36819
LPN / LVN (LPN / LVN / LPN / LVN)$1,296.90$284.0225,120
Sterile Processing Technician (Allied / SPT)$1,293.97$249.985,794
Patient Care Technician (Allied / PCT)$1,242.14$541.42245
Phlebotomy (Allied / Phlebotomist)$1,181.75$299.45256
Clerical (Non-Healthcare / Clerical)$1,145.36$549.4113
Home Health (CNA / HH)$1,141.32$423.7613
Skilled Nursing Facility (Allied / SNF)$1,122.06$150.6958
Certified Medical Assistant (Allied / CMA)$1,080.54$312.77991
Medical Surgical (CNA / Med Surg)$1,041.14$280.34270
Long Term Care (CNA / LTC)$1,031.93$290.97960
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA / CNA)$960.81$294.21976
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$2,169.70$438.29132,053
Aequor Healthcare$2,008.84$408.75105,923
Triage Staffing$2,016.58$606.1197,604
Epic Travel Staffing (formerly Emerald Health)$2,182.20$409.4477,722
Host Healthcare$2,236.68$817.3669,035
MedPro Healthcare Staffing$2,099.89$429.6366,654
Premier Healthcare Professionals$2,186.88$465.0364,670
CoreMedical Group$1,932.92$375.3560,431
TotalMed$2,076.60$409.0959,745
Ventura MedStaff$1,984.08$445.0356,441
OneStaff Medical$1,920.47$555.2649,353
Planet Healthcare$2,156.97$422.3347,545
Access Healthcare Staffing$2,214.46$505.8245,541
LanceSoft$2,287.10$396.6744,286
LeaderStat$2,148.43$431.7244,237
RNnetwork$2,021.48$635.2942,810
Genie Healthcare$2,122.48$458.7340,765
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions$2,013.61$363.2939,005
Cross Country Healthcare$2,078.47$480.5538,848
Marvel Medical Staffing$1,989.29$400.9837,834
Healthcare Support$2,086.28$402.2636,973
Medical Solutions$2,114.44$438.6933,247
Uniti Med$1,846.50$532.1633,098
Healthcare Staffing - IDR, Inc$1,980.05$456.8629,835
ADEX Medical Staffing$2,235.34$335.2228,603
GLC On-The-Go$1,868.47$516.4928,431
Go Healthcare$2,023.53$485.8428,283
Nurse First Travel Agency$2,174.57$370.0828,213
American Traveler$2,139.77$344.1425,425
Coast Medical Service$2,192.98$421.4125,321
CrossMed$2,039.27$404.6525,249
Jackson Therapy Partners$1,897.82$414.1324,683
Supplemental Health Care$1,858.95$501.9623,522
TactStaff$2,193.17$361.5823,396
Anders Group$2,097.37$435.4923,382
Stability Healthcare$2,120.02$388.1922,742
KPG Healthcare$2,186.89$536.7022,364
Jackson Nurse Professionals$2,132.93$448.5822,155
TRS Healthcare$2,059.67$413.3421,820
Advantis Medical Staffing$2,082.51$374.2421,743
FlexCare Medical Staffing$2,136.23$433.9021,692
Focus Staff$2,138.35$497.3921,227
ADN Healthcare$2,206.60$407.6020,636
Ardor Health Solutions$2,048.85$410.9920,453
Nationwide Therapy Group$1,806.48$510.6820,308
Travel Nurse Across America$2,208.21$416.1619,358
ALOIS Healthcare$2,107.70$477.0117,581
Vibra Travels$2,171.53$314.6017,331
Synergy Medical Staffing$1,962.51$481.5517,243
CareTeam Solutions$2,005.40$454.7417,050
GHR Travel Nursing$2,241.78$358.5616,890
Summit Medical Staffing$2,190.57$422.0416,310
Springboard Healthcare$2,344.19$358.4015,648
GetMed Staffing, Inc.$1,912.94$443.1215,463
AMN Healthcare Allied$1,951.54$479.4815,446
Vocaday$2,125.93$462.6915,210
Solomon Page$2,182.12$462.8214,725
LRS Healthcare$2,216.25$445.6614,651
Travel Nurses Inc.$2,113.53$371.6914,647
SkyBridge Healthcare$1,856.27$386.7214,356
Gifted Healthcare$2,111.38$548.8814,333
PRN Healthcare$2,065.59$400.0514,096
Health Advocates Network$2,240.80$387.8813,655
TLC Travel Staff$2,113.42$464.4613,296
AHS Staffing$2,080.49$349.8312,395
Fusion Medical Staffing$2,013.89$402.9112,289
Republic Health Resources$2,107.74$490.5212,121
Magnet Medical$2,210.09$509.1012,080
Assured Nursing$2,033.09$412.0911,843
NuWest Group$2,265.89$423.1711,654
Cynet Health$2,187.23$442.9111,231
RTG Medical$1,979.49$411.4111,148
Zack Group$2,121.20$370.4610,931
Skyline Med Staff$1,974.20$454.6110,927
Phaxis$2,066.60$320.8010,830
Lead Health$2,295.19$431.069,427
Wellspring Nurse Source$2,204.67$393.379,359
PRIDE Health$2,151.08$370.029,165
Prime Time Healthcare$2,367.02$416.529,005
Sharp Medical Staffinglife$2,381.06$401.118,680
Ethos Medical Staffing$2,092.35$386.018,236
National Staffing$1,934.01$695.678,101
American Mobile Healthcare (AMN)$2,349.09$507.217,884
Atlas MedStaff$2,127.08$383.567,474
Nightingale Nurses$2,208.47$408.017,417
Health Carousel - Allied Travel$1,960.22$369.677,237
trustaff$2,042.28$376.057,166
ARM Staffing$2,080.30$436.286,749
GrapeTree Medical Staffing$1,651.76$428.756,671
Next Move, Inc.$2,061.28$346.336,465
Arrow Healthcare Staffing and Recruiting$2,064.51$383.116,289
Premier Medical Staffing$2,092.81$351.086,210
Critical Connection, inc$1,958.78$249.276,202
Thrive Staffing$1,896.21$477.816,197
Amare Medical Network$2,165.01$445.276,128
Destination Travelcare$2,168.32$411.155,998
Delta Healthcare Providers$1,972.16$238.605,898
FlexUp Direct$2,039.89$531.785,817
Centra Healthcare$1,703.77$298.805,719
Accountable Healthcare Staffing$2,128.44$386.415,506
Catapult Healthcare$2,237.83$520.915,491
Source Medical Staffing$2,235.06$409.495,488
ADEX Healthcare Staffing$2,242.54$322.365,468
SambaCare$2,305.53$488.105,447
Guardian HealthStaff, LLC.$2,096.48$361.335,347
Health Specialists, Inc.$2,203.68$341.675,340
Providence Health Care Staffing$1,821.53$588.925,335
Reliable Nurse Staffing$2,266.84$343.805,326
MedUS Healthcare$2,177.08$415.085,033
RCM Healthcare Services$2,107.69$432.235,008
Nurses First Solutions$2,085.21$410.504,977
Remede Consulting Group, Inc.$2,124.80$372.684,710
Prime HealthCare Staffing$1,979.37$389.294,594
Vital Workforce Solutions$2,152.77$379.654,555
Titan Medical Group$2,267.86$387.044,534
Impresiv Health$2,202.43$446.124,328
Excel Medical Staffing$2,111.97$475.194,258
3D Medical Staffing$2,220.63$464.174,132
GQR Healthcare$2,316.22$597.924,115
Aya Healthcare$2,292.19$472.124,016
QS Nurses$1,875.91$551.373,949
HumanEdge$2,130.01$387.803,906
Favorite Healthcare Staffing$2,096.22$311.103,730
eTeam Inc$2,235.82$502.543,554
City Mobile Group$2,180.83$361.763,530
Firstat Medical Staffing$2,250.82$403.603,458
TLC Nursing$1,955.75$554.093,390
Junxion Med Staffing$2,066.15$484.303,329
Specialty Professional Services$2,016.49$508.353,299
Corratel Healthcare$2,577.71$539.133,283
Vighter$2,367.02$356.743,195
Bluebird Staffing$2,174.94$325.363,113
Cure Healthcare Staffing$2,382.19$334.833,086
Voyage Healthcare$2,105.09$472.323,073
Refined Medical Staffing$2,174.41$436.002,878
Trusted Resource Associates (TRA)$2,242.32$410.522,857
AB Staffing Solutions$2,115.24$561.902,853
Galaxy Healthcare$2,199.65$333.242,755
The Judge Group$2,521.77$446.812,706
Health Carousel$2,053.16$441.742,689
Connected Health Care$2,161.76$439.532,650
American Medical Staffing$2,005.08$524.882,559
IntellaPro Staffing$2,283.63$511.452,531
Trusted Health$2,047.40$567.772,501
Trinity Health FirstChoice$2,316.31$394.652,333
Nomad Health$2,297.09$394.482,201
NURSES Etc. STAFFING$2,103.59$591.752,175
Alliance Medical Staffing$2,060.46$464.902,171
Northside Hospital Choice+Local$2,136.22$468.732,131
RKA Recruiting$2,441.18$391.492,029
Med Ninjas$2,287.28$630.572,018
TinkBird Healthcare Staffing$2,338.79$511.592,010
Marshall Healthcare Staffing$2,182.35$567.342,003
Fiber Staffing$1,978.57$315.131,992
KingFish Healthcare$2,148.25$302.431,982
Ink - A Healthcare Staffing Co.$2,400.31$404.951,973
Bestica$2,322.45$341.231,949
TheraEX Staffing Services$2,228.03$580.441,878
Malone Healthcare Solutions$2,371.32$433.301,829
MAS Medical Staffing$2,115.11$416.121,821
The Good Life MedStaff$2,219.71$523.521,786
Consolidated Medical Travel$2,687.09$480.741,764
Rock Medical Group$2,198.72$541.141,683
Pulse Healthcare Services$2,154.41$460.321,588
MSSI$2,325.09$473.241,571
Plains Medical Staffing$2,132.44$534.641,569
Spire Workforce Solutions$2,317.46$373.351,508
Greenstaff Medical$2,188.26$541.351,496
IMCS Group$1,963.13$536.531,482
Revolution Healthcare Services$2,230.79$427.221,446
Modern Healthcare Solutions$2,302.88$369.891,439
Vastek Inc.$2,301.41$401.541,419
Med Travelers (AMN Allied)$1,813.03$446.361,413
Soliant Health$2,388.19$528.281,405
Nurses 24/7$2,286.71$601.421,277
Lifeline Healthcare Professionals$2,389.18$488.591,274
Halcyon Nurse Staffing$2,203.01$346.651,210
Kiwi Healthcare$2,280.52$471.121,196
iDeal Personnel$1,905.51$403.941,165
Avani Healthcare Staffing$2,102.37$463.261,143
Innovate Healthcare Staffing$2,312.50$318.831,118
Seven Healthcare$2,245.11$443.101,092
Journey Healthcare Solutions$2,114.80$503.141,034
Onyx Health Care Staffing$2,193.41$436.681,024
Medical Talent$2,142.97$447.591,009
Club Staffing (AMN)$2,042.12$358.341,008
MedWave Healthcare Staffing$2,213.76$330.43995
Reliant Staffing Solutions$2,319.18$481.63983
Lifeline Medical Staffing$2,158.74$438.56915
Care Partners Staffing$2,060.01$372.37829
Meda Health$2,190.07$366.82806
PS Companies$2,498.87$335.56767
Lahey Health$2,611.19$538.28749
Maxim Healthcare Services$2,440.34$568.18748
Sunbelt Staffing$2,488.81$433.34742
Triage Consulting Group$2,110.33$395.43735
MedCall Staffing$2,255.10$303.82731
Beyond Medical Staffing$2,044.67$366.46725
Mindlance Health$2,414.73$473.29710
Treva Corporation$2,181.02$327.57701
Froedtert Health$2,233.73$407.76649
Allyon$2,273.89$498.11646
DT-Trak Consulting$2,598.40$354.58632
Formation, Inc.$2,360.58$599.10623
Nurse Hustle$2,163.25$375.45619
FocusPoint$2,670.00$406.36608
The Stepping Stones Group$1,911.84$367.62608
Siemens Healthineers$2,622.96$386.28604
ICONMA$2,289.25$377.23576
Insight Global$2,452.34$548.71564
Cambay Healthcare$2,273.99$513.47535
Explore Tek$2,376.75$558.47494
Custom Healthcare Solutions$2,039.85$449.16479
Alliance Healthcare Solutions$1,727.26$389.24471
Lucid Staffing Solutions$2,405.86$985.50461
Professional Nursing Service$2,592.77$421.45416
VitalHire$2,172.24$548.60405
MedicalPeople Staffing, LLC$2,522.52$448.53402
Delta Medical Staffing$2,318.62$470.46363
Innovent Global$2,246.75$461.94363
Reliable Source Talent$2,508.14$371.84323
Becker Health$2,523.22$455.05316
CareNational$2,107.78$566.35316
Excite Health Partners$2,680.93$498.99301
Open Door Personnel$2,166.58$408.63284
PeopleFirst RN Staffing$2,096.69$235.30283
Convergence Medical Staffing$2,124.10$669.16280
Blu Medstaff$1,922.77$361.85272
Infojini Healthcare$2,170.60$598.37262
Medmasa$2,581.15$596.22255
RightPro Staffing$2,296.32$263.37253
WorkSquare$1,953.15$365.53252
Winston Staffing$2,319.56$499.57239
Medasource$2,439.57$275.34230
Pioneer Healthcare$1,584.35$357.71205
Millbrook$2,542.75$360.75189
CareerStaff Unlimited$3,639.33$3,143.42180
MedQ GLOBAL STAFFING$2,587.84$469.02162
Solutions by Sanford$2,470.00$429.64156
SojouRN$2,681.19$468.43145
Fastaff Travel Nursing$2,588.98$496.86136
Nurse 2 Nurse Staffing$2,227.08$422.39132
EGA Associates$2,037.01$578.49125
Southeast HEALTH$2,643.11$397.21123
MARS Solutions Group$2,099.23$814.59109
Novo Connections$2,456.48$619.64109
Peregrine Team$3,012.64$591.12105
Hire Up Healthcare$2,644.61$450.00104
Adventure Nursing LLC$2,354.77$275.13102
Aptiva Healthcare$2,695.09$677.0284
Cerebral Staffing$2,265.71$619.2681
Leaders in Care$2,118.55$256.0480
United Staffing Solutions$2,211.05$386.8380
Saratoga Medical Staffing$2,619.13$614.3179
Pluto Healthcare Staffing$2,309.13$335.8276
Grady Works$1,932.22$267.8375
ATC Healthcare$2,629.08$726.7873
Alto Healthcare Staffing$2,403.24$342.8065
Aura Staffing Partners$1,804.49$235.8850
Axis Medical Staffing$2,196.64$341.2244
CT Assist$2,665.72$689.8541
DirectShifts$2,211.51$541.9740
Advocate Health Staffing$2,501.17$491.7627
Loyal Source$2,273.88$697.6727
Capstone Healthcare Staffing$2,394.09$250.3521
White Glove Placement$2,983.68$1,765.0116
Tallavera$2,285.85$598.7113
TruMED Healthcare Staffing$2,599.15$325.0913
Origin Travel Nurses$2,210.40$267.4112
Mynela Staffing$1,842.80$446.6211
Primrose Group$2,435.30$361.1611
Headwaters Healthcare$2,908.52$564.229
Quality Clinicians$2,867.99$176.028
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
Platinum Healthcare Staffing$2,295.60$591.333
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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