Average gross weekly pay: $1,841
Max gross weekly pay: $6,347
Average hours per week: 36
Salary and benefit estimates are based on NurseFly data of over 77,981 listings for US travel RN jobs in July 2020.
Average gross weekly pay: $1,716
Max gross weekly pay: $4,341
Average non-taxable compensation: $1,388
Average hours per week: 36
Salary and benefit estimates are based on NurseFly data of over 189,890 listings for US travel RN jobs in 2019.
Registered Nurses administer patient care and educate patients and their families about various health conditions. There are many opportunities to work as a travel RN at hospitals across the country in need of nursing staff, and these jobs can earn higher salaries than similar staff positions.
Last year, a Travel RN earned a gross average weekly salary of $1,716 per week working an average of 36 hours per week. This includes non-taxable compensation like living stipends, meal stipends, and housing which add up to an average value of $1,388 per week.
According to 2019 BLS data, the average annual salary for a staff RN was $73,000 per year ($35.24/hour) or $1,409 per week working 40 hours per week. When you consider additional compensation, which is often tax-free, Travel RN pay is typically higher than that of a staff RN.
Jump ahead to explore salary trends for the current month by location and specialty.
What are the most common benefits for a Travel RN?
While there are many benefits to working as a travel nurse, the most common benefits included as compensation are housing stipends, meal stipends, and health insurance. Be sure to asses how your benefits are taxed because this can affect your net income. For example, if you qualify as having a permanent tax home, many of these stipends are tax free, which can mean thousands of dollars in savings.
Housing stipends can be used to cover costs associated with temporary housing like rent, utilities, and relocation expenses. In some cases employers will offer a choice between a stipend or employee housing. If you are confident your housing costs will be lower than the stipend amount, then you may be able to find your own place and save the difference.
On the other hand, housing provided by your employer can make the process of relocating easier. Ask your recruiter how a stipend vs employee housing option is taxed. See our housing tips for travel nursing.
Avg value: $708
It’s common for employers to cover living expenses, especially food costs since it is one of the largest expenses when relocating. Employers describe this benefit differently sometimes providing a “per diem” which is a maximum daily allowance for meals and incidental expenses. Others may offer a “stipend”, which is a lump sum paid periodically. It’s important to keep detailed records of your expenses and to verify whether you qualify for tax-free stipends.
Avg value: $680
Many travel nurse employers offer health insurance at a reasonable rate, however coverage may only apply throughout the duration of your assignment. You’ll want to understand the exact start/end dates of your coverage before signing an agreement to avoid gaps in coverage.
As an alternative, many travel nurses choose private coverage or elect COBRA in between jobs. In some cases, you may be able to negotiate a higher rate of pay by choosing private insurance and opting out of the employer’s insurance option.
Where do Travel RN’s make the most money?
In locations where there is a greater need for nursing staff, pay tends to be higher. Some states also have a higher cost of living so employers offer higher compensation relative to those costs. Keep in mind, each state has specific licensing requirements. The tables below show the states with the highest Travel RN salaries throughout last year and up to the current month.
Top 10 highest paying states for Travel RN jobs last year
| State | Avg Weekly Salary | Max Weekly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| California | $2,065 | $4,341 |
| New Jersey | $1,888 | $3,432 |
| District of Columbia | $1,857 | $3,380 |
| Rhode Island | $1,831 | $2,608 |
| Alaska | $1,823 | $2,937 |
| New York | $1,778 | $3,228 |
| Connecticut | $1,773 | $3,250 |
| Massachusetts | $1,773 | $3,530 |
| Washington | $1,768 | $3,312 |
| North Dakota | $1,764 | $2,899 |
What are the highest paying specialties for a Travel RN?
Employers are often willing to pay more for certain specialties, particularly those that require extensive experience or education. Last year, the highest paying specialties for a Travel RN were Cardiac Cath Lab, Dosimetrist, and Operating Room with Cardiac Cath Lab earning the highest weekly salary of $4,341; over 1.5x the average. See the specialties with the highest weekly pay last year and up to the current month.
Top 10 specialties earning top-dollar last year
| Specialty | Avg Weekly Salary | Max Weekly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Director of Nursing | $2,264 | $3,196 |
| CRNA – Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | $2,232 | $3,347 |
| Director of Nursing | $2,408 | $3,244 |
| First Assist | $2,179 | $3,586 |
| House Supervisor | $2,133 | $3,764 |
| Manager | $2,087 | $3,105 |
| Educator | $2,232 | $2,635 |
| Cardiac Cath Lab | $2,063 | $3,175 |
| CVOR | $2,021 | $4,341 |
| Electrophysiology Lab | $2,010 | $3,600 |
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Travel nurse salary FAQs
How does travel nurse pay differ from a staff nurse?
One of the advantages of travel nursing over many staff nurse jobs is that it is common to receive compensation in addition to your base salary like housing stipends, travel reimbursement, and per diem meal costs. If you’re able to claim a permanent tax-home, then you can be paid a blended rate, meaning your salary is taxed as ordinary income but your additional stipends are tax-free. When you factor additional compensation and the tax savings, travel nurses can expect to make more than staff nurses. Learn more in our breakdown of travel nurse pay.
How can I make more money as a travel nurse?
The three major factors that influence travel nurse pay are location, specialty, and shift. Locations in greater need of nursing jobs tend to offer higher compensation. Employers are also willing to pay more for certain specialties, particularly those that require extensive experience or education. Nurses who work night shifts, weekend, and holiday hours often receive a higher base pay. Finally, travel nurses can also accrue overtime, which provides higher hourly pay based on state regulations. We cover all the ways travel nurses can maximize their income in our ultimate guide to how much you can make as a travel nurse.
How are travel nurse benefits taxed?
There are two ways you can get paid as a travel nurse: 1) You can be paid a “blended rate” of tax-free stipends plus a taxable hourly wage, or, 2) You can be paid a fully taxable hourly wage that is taxed on the total rate of pay, similar to how you’d be paid as a staff nurse. The advantage of the first scenario is that stipends for housing and living expenses aren’t taxed as income, which can mean thousands of dollars in savings. Learn more in our guide to travel nurse tax rules to see which scenario you qualify for.
How do I become a travel nurse?
If you’re already a licensed nurse, then you can work as a travel nurse in your state. Each state requires a license, and you can typically transfer your license from state to state for a fee. This process takes a few weeks, and sometimes longer, so it’s best to get a head start as you look for jobs. In accordance with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), a nurse that has a “compact license” can practice in any other compact license state without obtaining an additional license. We cover compact licenses and more in our guide to travel nurse licensing. Another good place to start, is connecting with a staffing agency. They can often help with the logistics of finding and applying for jobs.
Where do Travel RN’s make the most money?
In locations where there is a greater need for nursing staff, pay tends to be higher. Some states also have a higher cost of living so employers offer higher compensation relative to those costs. Keep in mind, each state has specific licensing requirements.
What are the most common benefits for a Travel RN?
While there are many benefits to working as a travel nurse, the most common benefits included as compensation are housing stipends, meal stipends, and health insurance. Be sure to assess how your benefits are taxed because this can affect your net income. For example, if you qualify as having a permanent tax home, many of these stipends are tax-free, which can mean thousands of dollars in savings.
