Travel nursing offers a dynamic career path for registered nurses seeking adventure and professional growth. Beyond the allure of exploring new locations, a significant draw for many is the competitive compensation. If you’re considering this exciting career, understanding the travel nurse salary is crucial. This article breaks down what you can expect to earn as a travel nurse in 2024, exploring averages, variations by state, and the impact of specialization.
Travel nurses play a vital role in healthcare, stepping into facilities facing staffing shortages for temporary assignments. These assignments, typically lasting between 4 and 13 weeks, offer nurses the chance to broaden their experience while addressing critical needs across the country. The demand for travel nurses is high, driven by the ongoing national nursing shortage, making it a rewarding and financially attractive career choice.
To embark on this path, aspiring travel nurses generally need either an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). As the healthcare landscape evolves, a BSN is increasingly becoming the preferred standard for registered nurses.
Alt text: Average annual travel nurse salary in the US, highlighting competitive pay and benefits.
Decoding the Average Travel Nurse Salary in the US
Pinpointing a precise average annual travel nurse salary can be complex due to the variable nature of contracts and locations. However, data from leading job platforms like ZipRecruiter provides valuable insights into earning expectations.
As of July 2024, ZipRecruiter’s data indicates that the average annual travel nurse salary in the United States is approximately $101,132. This translates to a robust monthly income of $8,427, or an hourly wage of $48.62.
It’s important to remember that this figure represents an average. Actual earnings can fluctuate based on experience, specialization, location, and the specifics of each assignment contract. Notably, the top 25% of earners in travel nursing can bring home significantly more, exceeding the average by around $59,000 annually.
Here’s a percentile breakdown illustrating the range of potential travel nurse salaries:
| 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 |
Geographic location plays a significant role in determining travel nurse pay. Salaries are adjusted to reflect the cost of living and demand in different states. Let’s examine the state-by-state variations in more detail.
Alt text: Travel nurse salary by state, showing variations across the United States.
State-by-State Breakdown: Where Travel Nurse Salaries are Highest (and Lowest)
When considering travel nurse salary by state, significant differences emerge. New York currently leads as the highest-paying state, with an impressive average annual salary of $120,132, or $57.76 per hour. This exceeds the national average by approximately $19,000 annually. This higher compensation in New York likely reflects the state’s high cost of living, as travel nurse packages often include housing and travel stipends designed to offset these expenses.
Following New York, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire offer competitive salaries. Pennsylvania travel nurses average $110,003 per year ($52.89 hourly), while New Hampshire averages $107,568 annually ($51.72 hourly).
Conversely, states like Arkansas, Florida, and Michigan tend to have lower average travel nurse salaries. Arkansas reports the lowest average at $78,186 per year ($37.59 hourly). Florida’s average is around $80,586 annually ($38.74 hourly), and Michigan’s is approximately $82,194 per year ($39.52 hourly).
Travel Nurse Salary by State: A Comprehensive Table
For a detailed overview, here’s a table ranking states by average annual travel nurse salary, from highest to lowest:
| 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 in 2024
Beyond location, your nursing specialization significantly impacts your potential travel nurse salary. Certain specialties, particularly those in high demand or requiring advanced skills, command higher pay rates.
According to ZipRecruiter, NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) travel nurses are among the highest earners. NICU travel nurses can see annual salaries reaching up to $154,500, while PACU travel nurses can earn around $147,500 annually. At the other end of the spectrum, visiting nurse roles tend to have a lower salary range, from approximately $70,000 to $105,500 per year.
Here’s a glimpse into the salary ranges for various travel nursing 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 |
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 career goals and financial aspirations.
Alt text: Travel nurse enjoying work-life balance, illustrating the benefits beyond salary.
Travel Nurse Salary vs. Staff Nurse Salary: Is it Really Better?
A key question for many nurses considering travel nursing is whether the travel nurse salary truly outweighs that of a staff nurse. On average, early career travel nurses earn approximately $6,652 more annually than staff registered nurses. This difference equates to roughly $3.20 more per hour.
However, it’s important to note that travel nurse salaries are, on average, lower than some other advanced nursing roles. For instance, they are approximately $17,593 lower than ICU nurse salaries and $27,358 lower than nurse practitioner salaries.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Travel Nurse Pay
From a purely financial perspective, travel nursing can offer significant advantages compared to staff nursing positions. The potential to earn more, coupled with opportunities for career advancement through diverse experiences, is a major draw. Interestingly, the educational requirements are similar to staff RN positions, meaning you can potentially earn a higher income with the same ADN qualification.
However, higher travel nurse salary comes with trade-offs. These can include less predictable work schedules, potentially less job security between assignments, fluctuating pay depending on demand and location, and often fewer traditional benefits like paid time off. The ideal choice between travel and staff nursing depends on individual priorities, risk tolerance, and adaptability to dynamic work environments.
To understand the broader salary landscape within nursing, explore our comprehensive study on nurse salaries in the US. This resource offers insights into earning potential across various nursing specialties and states, providing a wider perspective on career paths in nursing.
