- The average annual Travel Nurse Salary in the US is approximately $101,132.
- Travel nurses generally earn more than staff nurses.
- Travel nursing positions often include benefits like housing stipends and travel reimbursement in addition to base pay.
Travel nurses are registered nurses who travel to work in healthcare facilities with staffing needs. This career path is ideal for nurses who enjoy travel and variety in their work environment. Travel nurses help address the ongoing national nursing shortage by filling temporary roles in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. These assignments typically last between 4 and 13 weeks, and during this time, travel nurses perform the same duties as permanent registered nurses.
The travel nursing profession is highly desirable due to the opportunity to explore new locations and the attractive compensation packages.
For those considering a career as a travel nurse, the first step is to become a registered nurse by earning either an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A BSN degree is increasingly preferred and may soon become the standard requirement for RN positions in many states.
Understanding the Average Travel Nurse Salary in the US
Calculating an exact average annual travel nurse salary can be complex due to the variable nature of assignments and pay structures. However, data from ZipRecruiter, a leading job search platform, provides valuable insights into travel nurse compensation across the United States.
According to ZipRecruiter’s data from July 2024, the average annual travel nurse salary in the United States is $101,132. This translates to an average monthly salary of $8,427 and an hourly wage of $48.62.
It’s important to note that travel nurse salaries can fluctuate based on experience, specialization, location, and the specific demands of the assignment. The range of earnings is significant, with top-earning travel nurses making approximately $59,000 more per year than those in the lower percentiles.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of travel nurse salary expectations based on percentile:
| Percentiles | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25th Percentile | $73,500 | $6,125 | $1,413 | $35 |
| 50th Percentile (Average) | $101,132 | $8,427 | $1,944 | $49 |
| 75th Percentile | $122,500 | $10,208 | $2,355 | $59 |
| 90th Percentile (Top Earners) | $132,500 | $11,041 | $2,548 | $64 |
Salaries for travel nurses are also influenced by the state and city of employment. The following sections explore how travel nurse pay varies across different states in the US.
Which States Offer the Highest Travel Nurse Salaries?
New York currently stands as the highest-paying state for travel nurses, with an average annual salary of $120,132 and an hourly wage of $57.76. This figure is roughly $19,000 higher than the national average for travel nurses. This elevated pay rate in New York likely reflects the state’s high cost of living, particularly in major cities like New York City. Since travel nurse compensation packages often include housing stipends and travel expense coverage, it’s logical that states with higher living costs tend to offer more competitive salaries.
Following New York, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire are also among the top-paying states for travel nurses. Pennsylvania offers an average annual salary of $110,003 ($52.89 per hour), while New Hampshire provides around $107,568 per year ($51.72 per hour).
Conversely, Arkansas is reported as the lowest-paying state for travel nurses, with an average annual salary of $78,186, or $37.59 per hour. Florida is the second-lowest, offering approximately $80,586 annually ($38.74 per hour), and Michigan ranks third-lowest with an average of $82,194 per year ($39.52 per hour).
Travel Nurse Salary by State: A Comprehensive Breakdown
Here is a table ranking states from highest to lowest average annual travel nurse salary, providing a detailed overview of compensation across the US:
| State | Yearly Travel Nurse Salary | Hourly Travel Nurse Wage |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $120,132 | $57.76 |
| Pennsylvania | $110,003 | $52.89 |
| New Hampshire | $107,568 | $51.72 |
| New Jersey | $105,937 | $50.93 |
| Wyoming | $104,792 | $50.38 |
| Washington | $104,650 | $50.31 |
| Wisconsin | $103,900 | $49.95 |
| Massachusetts | $103,897 | $49.95 |
| Alaska | $103,624 | $49.82 |
| Oregon | $102,785 | $49.42 |
| Indiana | $102,621 | $49.34 |
| North Dakota | $102,597 | $49.33 |
| Hawaii | $100,605 | $48.37 |
| Arizona | $100,500 | $48.32 |
| New Mexico | $99,875 | $48.02 |
| Colorado | $99,215 | $47.70 |
| Minnesota | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Montana | $98,985 | $47.59 |
| Nevada | $97,980 | $47.11 |
| Alabama | $97,749 | $47.00 |
| South Dakota | $96,965 | $46.62 |
| Vermont | $96,810 | $46.54 |
| Ohio | $96,754 | $46.52 |
| Rhode Island | $95,205 | $45.77 |
| Iowa | $94,062 | $45.22 |
| Delaware | $93,936 | $45.16 |
| Connecticut | $93,761 | $45.08 |
| Virginia | $92,849 | $44.64 |
| Mississippi | $92,469 | $44.46 |
| Tennessee | $92,377 | $44.41 |
| Utah | $91,903 | $44.18 |
| Illinois | $91,626 | $44.05 |
| Georgia | $91,059 | $43.78 |
| Maryland | $91,041 | $43.77 |
| California | $90,766 | $43.64 |
| Nebraska | $89,294 | $42.93 |
| Maine | $88,882 | $42.73 |
| Missouri | $88,224 | $42.42 |
| South Carolina | $87,358 | $42.00 |
| Kansas | $87,039 | $41.85 |
| Idaho | $86,655 | $41.66 |
| Louisiana | $86,599 | $41.63 |
| Oklahoma | $86,474 | $41.57 |
| Texas | $85,915 | $41.31 |
| North Carolina | $85,555 | $41.13 |
| West Virginia | $84,957 | $40.84 |
| Kentucky | $82,385 | $39.61 |
| Michigan | $82,194 | $39.52 |
| Florida | $80,586 | $38.74 |
| Arkansas | $78,186 | $37.59 |
Top Paying Travel Nurse Specialties in 2024
According to ZipRecruiter, specialization significantly impacts travel nurse earnings. NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) travel nurses are reported to command the highest salaries, potentially reaching $154,500 and $147,500 annually, respectively. In contrast, visiting nurse positions tend to offer lower compensation, ranging from $70,000 to $105,500 per year.
Here’s a comparison of travel nurse salary ranges across different specialties:
| Specialty | 25th Percentile Annual Salary | 75th Percentile Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| NICU Travel Nurse | $93,000 | $154,500 |
| PACU Travel Nurse | $110,500 | $147,500 |
| Oncology Travel Nurse | $105,500 | $144,000 |
| ICU Travel Nurse | $104,000 | $143,000 |
| Average Travel Nurse | $97,500 | $140,500 |
| Visiting Nurse | $70,000 | $105,500 |
For a more detailed exploration of the highest paying roles within travel nursing, refer to our article on Highest Paying Travel Nursing Jobs in the US. This resource can help guide your career path if maximizing earning potential is a priority.
Travel Nurse Salary vs. Staff Nurse and Other Nursing Roles
On average, entry-level travel nurses earn approximately $6,652 more per year than staff registered nurses. This translates to roughly $3.20 more per hour. However, it’s important to consider that travel nurse salaries are, on average, lower than some other advanced nursing roles. For instance, travel nurses typically earn about $17,593 less than ICU nurses and $27,358 less than nurse practitioners.
Is Travel Nursing Financially Rewarding?
Is choosing a career as a travel nurse a sound financial decision compared to staff nursing? Generally, the answer is yes. Travel nurses often have the potential to earn significantly more than staff RNs, along with opportunities for career growth and diverse experiences. Given that the educational requirements are similar for both roles, the earning potential of travel nursing is a major draw, even with just an ADN.
However, it’s crucial to weigh the advantages of a higher travel nurse salary against potential drawbacks. These may include less stability in work hours and job security, fluctuating pay rates depending on assignment demand, and often fewer benefits like paid time off that are typically associated with permanent staff positions. The best choice between travel nursing and staff nursing depends on individual priorities and adaptability to a dynamic work environment.
If you are interested in exploring the broader landscape of nursing salaries across different specialties and locations, our study on nurse salaries in the US provides valuable insights into the best states for nurses from a financial perspective.
