Travel nursing presents a compelling career path for registered nurses seeking adventure and financial rewards. These healthcare professionals fill critical staffing gaps in facilities across the nation, working short-term assignments while experiencing new locations. A major draw for many is the earning potential. But just how much can you make as a travel nurse? Let’s delve into the facts about the Average Travel Nurse Salary.
Travel nurses often find their compensation significantly surpasses that of staff nurses. Contracts typically include a base salary supplemented by benefits designed to support their mobile lifestyle, such as covering housing costs and reimbursing travel expenses.
Travel nurses are the ideal professionals for those who want to combine their passion for nursing with the desire to see the country. They are essential in healthcare facilities facing staffing shortages, providing crucial support for a limited time to alleviate the national nursing shortage. These assignments generally range from 4 to 13 weeks, during which travel nurses perform duties comparable to those of permanent Registered Nurses (RNs).
The travel nursing profession is highly attractive, not only for the travel opportunities it provides but also for the competitive compensation packages offered.
Interested in a travel nursing career? The first step is to become a registered nurse, which requires either an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A BSN is increasingly becoming the preferred standard for RNs in many states.
Alt text: Infographic illustrating the average travel nurse salary in the US, highlighting key data points and percentiles.
Understanding the Average Travel Nurse Salary in the US
Calculating a precise average annual travel nurse salary can be complex due to the variable nature of assignments and locations. However, reliable data from ZipRecruiter, a leading job platform, provides valuable insights into travel nurse compensation across the United States.
According to ZipRecruiter data from July 2024, the average annual travel nurse salary in the US stands at $101,132. This breaks down to an average monthly wage of $8,427 and an hourly rate of $48.62.
It’s important to note that travel nurse salaries vary based on experience, specialization, and location. The difference in earning potential between the top and bottom percentiles is significant. Top-earning travel nurses can make approximately $59,000 more annually than those in the lower percentiles.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of travel nurse salaries by percentile, illustrating the range of potential earnings:
| 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 |
Salary for travel nurses is also influenced by the state and healthcare facility where they are employed. The following sections explore the variations in travel nurse salaries across different US states.
Alt text: Map of the United States visually representing travel nurse salary ranges by state, indicating higher and lower paying regions.
State-by-State Breakdown: Highest and Lowest Travel Nurse Salaries
The state offering the highest average travel nurse salary is New York, with an annual salary of $120,132 and an hourly wage of $57.76. This figure is approximately $19,000 higher than the national average. This elevated pay rate likely reflects New York’s high cost of living. Given that travel nurse compensation packages often include housing stipends and travel reimbursement, states with higher living expenses tend to offer more lucrative salaries to offset these costs.
Following New York, Pennsylvania ranks second with an average travel nurse salary of $110,003 per year, or $52.89 per hour. New Hampshire comes in third, offering $107,568 annually or $51.72 per hour.
On the other end of the spectrum, Arkansas is the lowest-paying state for travel nurses, with an average annual salary of $78,186, translating to an hourly wage of $37.59. Florida is the second-lowest, with an estimated $80,586 per year and $38.74 per hour, followed by Michigan at $82,194 per year and $39.52 per hour.
Travel Nurse Salary by State: A Comprehensive Table
Here’s a detailed table ranking states from highest to lowest average annual travel nurse salary:
| 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 Nursing Jobs in 2024: Specialization Matters
According to ZipRecruiter, specialization significantly impacts travel nurse earnings. NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) travel nurses command the highest salaries, potentially reaching $154,500 and $147,500 annually, respectively. Conversely, visiting nurse positions tend to offer the lowest end of the salary range, from $70,000 to $105,500 per year.
Here’s a summary of travel nurse salary ranges based on nursing specialty:
| Roles | Lowest Annual Salary (25th %ile) | Highest Annual Salary (75th %ile) |
|---|---|---|
| NICU Travel Nurses | $93,000 | $154,500 |
| PACU Travel Nurses | $110,500 | $147,500 |
| Oncology Travel Nurses | $105,500 | $144,000 |
| ICU Travel Nurses | $104,000 | $143,000 |
| Average Travel Nurse Salary | $97,500 | $140,500 |
| Visiting Nurses | $70,000 | $105,500 |
For a deeper dive into the most lucrative travel nursing roles, explore our article on Highest Paying Travel Nursing Jobs in the US. This resource can help you identify specializations that align with your financial goals.
Alt text: Travel nurse smiling and looking out of an airplane window, suggesting the benefits and travel opportunities associated with the profession.
Travel Nurse Salary vs. Staff Nursing and Other Nursing Roles
Entry-level travel nurses typically earn approximately $6,652 more per year than staff registered nurses, equating to an hourly difference of about $3.2. However, when compared to other advanced nursing roles, the average travel nurse salary falls in the middle range. It is, on average, $17,593 less than the salary of ICU nurses and $27,358 lower than the salary of nurse practitioners.
Is Travel Nursing Financially Worth It?
Is choosing to be a travel nurse a sound financial decision compared to being a staff nurse? Generally, the answer is yes. Travel nurses often have the potential to earn significantly more and experience faster career advancement than staff RNs. Given similar educational requirements for both roles (ADN or BSN), travel nursing can be a financially advantageous career path.
However, it’s crucial to consider the trade-offs. While the salary may be higher, travel nursing can involve less predictable work schedules, reduced job security between assignments, variable pay depending on contracts, and often lacks benefits like paid time off offered in permanent staff positions. The optimal choice depends on individual priorities and adaptability to a dynamic work environment.
To gain a broader perspective on nursing salaries, explore our comprehensive nurse salaries in the US study. This resource provides insights into the best states for nurses from a financial standpoint across various specialties.
