- Recent data indicates the average annual Travel Nurse Salary in the US is approximately $101,132.
- Travel nurses commonly experience higher earnings compared to staff nurses.
- Travel nursing contracts often encompass attractive benefits, including stipends for housing and reimbursement for travel expenses.
Travel nurses embody a career path that seamlessly merges professional dedication with a passion for exploration. These nurses are deployed to healthcare facilities facing critical staffing shortages, providing essential support for predetermined periods, thereby alleviating the national nursing shortage. These assignments typically span from 4 to 13 weeks, during which travel nurses fulfill responsibilities akin to those of permanent Registered Nurses (RNs).
The travel nursing profession stands out as a highly desirable option within nursing, appealing not only due to the allure of travel but also the promise of competitive compensation packages.
Aspiring to become a travel nurse? The foundational step involves obtaining either an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Notably, a BSN degree is increasingly becoming the expected standard for registered nurses across numerous states.
Decoding the Average Travel Nurse Salary in the US
Due to the itinerant nature of the role, calculating a precise average annual travel nurse salary presents certain complexities. However, ZipRecruiter, a leading online job marketplace, has compiled extensive data on travel nurse compensation across all 50 states.
As of July 2024, ZipRecruiter’s findings reveal the average annual travel nurse salary in the United States to be $101,132. This breaks down to an average monthly income of $8,427 and an hourly wage of $48.62.
It’s important to note that individual travel nurse salaries can fluctuate depending on various percentile benchmarks. Top-performing travel nurses can earn significantly more, with those in the upper percentile bracket earning approximately $59,000 more annually than their counterparts in the lower percentiles.
Below is a detailed overview of expected travel nurse salaries based on performance percentiles:
| Percentiles | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $73,500 | $6,125 | $1,413 | $35 |
| 50th percentile (Avg.) | $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 |
Geographic location and the specific state of employment also play a significant role in determining a travel nurse’s earnings. The following sections will explore the variations in travel nurse salaries across the 50 US states.
State-by-State Breakdown: Highest and Lowest Travel Nurse Salaries
New York State leads the nation as the highest-paying location for travel nurses, boasting an average annual salary of $120,132 and an hourly wage of $57.76. This figure surpasses the national average travel nurse salary by approximately $19,000. This elevated compensation likely reflects New York’s status as one of the most expensive states in the US to live in. Given that travel nurse compensation packages often include provisions for housing and travel expenses, it logically follows that states with higher living costs tend to offer more lucrative pay rates for travel nurses.
Following New York, Pennsylvania ranks second with an average travel nurse salary of $110,003 per year, or $52.89 per hour. New Hampshire secures the third position, offering an average annual salary of $107,568 or $51.72 per hour.
Conversely, Arkansas represents the other end of the spectrum, reporting the lowest average travel nurse salary at $78,186 per year (equivalent to $37.59 per hour). This makes Arkansas the lowest-paying state for travel nurses in the US. Florida occupies the second-lowest position in terms of average travel nurse salary, estimated at $80,586 annually and $38.74 per hour. Michigan follows closely behind, with an average yearly salary of $82,194 and an hourly wage of $39.52.
Travel Nurse Salary by State: A Comprehensive Table
Below is a table ranking states from the highest to lowest average annual travel nurse salary, providing a detailed state-by-state compensation overview:
| 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 Specialties in 2024
According to data from ZipRecruiter, specialized roles such as NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) travel nurses command the highest salaries, reaching annual incomes of $154,500 and $147,500 respectively. Conversely, visiting nurse positions tend to offer the lower end of the salary spectrum, ranging from $70,000 to $105,500 per year.
The table below provides a comparative overview of travel nurse salary ranges based on specialization and specific roles:
| 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 those interested in exploring the 20 most financially rewarding travel nursing positions, our article on Highest Paying Travel Nursing Jobs in the US offers valuable insights to guide your career path from a financial perspective.
Travel Nurse Salary vs. Staff Nurse Compensation: Is There a Difference?
On average, entry-level travel nurses earn approximately $6,652 more per year than staff registered nurses. This translates to an hourly wage difference of about $3.2. However, it’s worth noting that travel nurse salaries are, on average, $17,593 less than ICU nurse salaries and $27,358 lower than nurse practitioner salaries.
Evaluating the Travel Nurse Salary: Is It Truly Advantageous?
Is pursuing a career as a travel nurse financially more beneficial than working as a staff nurse? From an economic standpoint, the answer leans towards yes. Travel nurses often have the potential to earn considerably more and access greater career advancement opportunities compared to staff RNs. Furthermore, considering the similar educational prerequisites for both roles, an ADN degree can potentially lead to significantly higher earning potential in travel nursing.
However, the trade-offs associated with a higher travel nurse salary include less predictable work schedules, reduced job security, fluctuating pay rates, and limited access to paid time off and other benefits commonly offered to permanent nursing staff. The optimal choice between these career paths ultimately hinges on individual priorities and adaptability to a more dynamic professional environment.
For a comprehensive understanding of average annual incomes across various nursing specialties, explore our Nurse Salaries in the US study to identify the most financially rewarding states for nursing professionals.
