Travel nursing offers a unique blend of professional fulfillment and personal adventure, attracting registered nurses with a passion for travel and a desire for competitive compensation. If you’re considering this dynamic career path, a key question is: How Much Does A Travel Nurse Make? The answer is encouraging, as travel nurses typically earn significantly more than staff nurses, often with attractive benefits packages that can boost their overall earnings. This guide dives into the specifics of travel nurse salaries in 2024, exploring average pay, geographical variations, and factors that can influence your earning potential.
Understanding the Average Travel Nurse Salary in the US
Pinpointing an exact average annual salary for travel nurses can be nuanced due to the variable nature of contracts and locations. However, reliable data from leading job platforms provides a clear picture of earning potential. According to recent data from ZipRecruiter (July 2024), the average annual travel nurse salary in the United States stands at $101,132. This translates to a robust monthly income of $8,427, a weekly paycheck of approximately $1,944, and an hourly wage of $48.62.
It’s important to understand that this figure represents the average. Travel nurse salaries are distributed across a spectrum, influenced by experience, specialization, location, and the specific demands of each assignment. To provide a more detailed view, salary percentiles offer valuable insight into the range of earnings within the profession.
The following table breaks down the expected annual, monthly, weekly, and hourly pay for travel nurses across different 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 |
As the table illustrates, top-earning travel nurses can bring home significantly more than the average, reaching annual salaries of $132,500 and beyond. This earning potential is a major draw for many nurses considering travel assignments.
Travel Nurse Salary by State: Highs and Lows
Geographical location plays a significant role in determining travel nurse compensation. States with higher costs of living and greater demand for healthcare professionals typically offer more lucrative travel nurse contracts. Notably, states facing nursing shortages or experiencing seasonal population surges may also increase pay rates to attract travel nurses.
Currently, New York stands out as the highest-paying state for travel nurses, boasting an average annual salary of $120,132 and an hourly wage of $57.76. This elevated pay rate, approximately $19,000 above the national average, likely reflects New York’s high cost of living and the consistent demand for skilled nurses in its healthcare facilities.
Following closely behind New York in terms of compensation are:
- Pennsylvania: Average annual salary of $110,003, or $52.89 per hour.
- New Hampshire: Average annual salary of $107,568, or $51.72 per hour.
Conversely, some states offer lower average travel nurse salaries. Arkansas currently reports the lowest average pay, with an annual salary of $78,186 (equivalent to $37.59 per hour). Other states with comparatively lower travel nurse compensation include:
- Florida: Average annual salary of $80,586, or $38.74 per hour.
- Michigan: Average annual salary of $82,194, or $39.52 per hour.
It’s important to note that even in lower-paying states, travel nurse salaries often remain competitive with staff nursing positions in the same region. The comprehensive benefits packages associated with travel nursing, including housing stipends and travel reimbursements, further enhance the financial appeal, regardless of location.
To provide a comprehensive overview, here is a 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 |
Specialization Matters: Highest Paying Travel Nursing Jobs
Beyond location, your nursing specialization significantly impacts your earning potential as a travel nurse. Certain specialties are consistently in higher demand, commanding premium pay rates due to the critical nature of their roles and the specialized skills required.
According to ZipRecruiter data, NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) travel nurses and PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) travel nurses currently top the list of highest-paid specializations. NICU travel nurses can earn annual salaries reaching $154,500, while PACU travel nurses can command up to $147,500 per year.
Here’s a breakdown of salary ranges for various travel nurse specializations:
| 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 |
Specializations like Oncology and ICU (Intensive Care Unit) nursing also offer highly competitive salaries, reflecting the complexity and critical nature of these roles. Conversely, roles like visiting nurses, while essential, tend to have a lower average salary range within travel nursing.
For nurses seeking to maximize their earning potential, specializing in high-demand areas like NICU, PACU, ICU, or Oncology can be a strategic career move. Further research into the highest paying travel nursing jobs can provide more detailed insights into specific roles and their corresponding compensation.
Travel Nurse Salary vs. Staff Nurse and Other Nursing Roles
One of the primary motivations for nurses to transition to travel assignments is the potential for increased earnings. Data confirms that travel nurses generally earn more than their staff nurse counterparts. On average, an entry-level travel nurse can expect to earn approximately $6,652 more annually than a staff registered nurse. This salary difference translates to roughly $3.20 more per hour.
However, it’s essential to consider salary comparisons across different nursing roles. While travel nurses earn more than staff RNs, other advanced practice nursing roles may offer even higher compensation. For instance, the average travel nurse salary is approximately $17,593 lower than the average salary for ICU nurses and $27,358 lower than the average salary for nurse practitioners.
These comparisons highlight that while travel nursing is financially rewarding, career paths like becoming an ICU nurse or nurse practitioner may lead to even greater earning potential in the long run. The optimal choice depends on individual career goals, work-life balance preferences, and financial aspirations.
Is Travel Nursing Financially Worth It?
From a purely financial perspective, travel nursing presents a compelling opportunity to increase your income as a registered nurse. The average travel nurse salary significantly surpasses that of staff nurses, and specialized roles can command even higher pay. Furthermore, the inclusion of benefits like housing stipends, travel reimbursements, and often health insurance can significantly boost your overall financial package.
However, it’s crucial to weigh the financial advantages against the unique demands of the travel nursing lifestyle. Travel nurses often face less job security, variable work hours, and the challenges of adapting to new environments and healthcare facilities every few weeks. Benefits like paid time off and consistent schedules, typically associated with staff positions, may be less readily available in travel nursing.
Ultimately, the decision of whether travel nursing is “worth it” financially is a personal one. For nurses who prioritize higher earning potential, enjoy travel and new experiences, and are adaptable to dynamic work environments, travel nursing can be a highly rewarding and financially lucrative career path. For those who value stability, consistent benefits, and predictable routines, a staff nursing position might be a better fit, even if it means a potentially lower base salary. Exploring resources like nurse salaries in the US can provide further context and help nurses make informed decisions about their career paths.
