The salary of a traveling nurse can vary depending on several factors, including experience, location, and hours worked. According to various sources, the average salary for a travel nurse is between $92,247 and $117,490 per year [9, 1]. The salary can range from $78,430 to $170,680 with more experience [1]. ZipRecruiter.com reports the national average for travel nurses is $118,400 per year [2]. The highest-paying states are New York, California, and Idaho, while the lowest reported salaries are in Louisiana and North Carolina [2]. According to the American Nurses Association, some states have mandatory nurse-patient ratios which can affect the demand for travel nurses [8].
Travel nurses can earn between $3,000 and $7,000 per week, averaging a 36-hour work week [3]. According to Vivian and the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), travel nurses earn just over $3,167 a week, while RNs earn just under $39.78 an hour [3]. Normal circumstances can allow many travel nurses to earn over $3,000 per week with the potential to earn well over $100,000 per year with company-paid housing accommodations [4]. The top 10 states for travel nurse salaries, from highest to lowest, include California, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington [5].
It should be noted that travel nursing can also have more expenses, such as travel costs, which may not be covered by the employer or agency, and pricier housing options [10].
Sources:
[1] "Monthly: The monthly salary for travel nurses averages out to $9,790 and may vary depending on hours worked or bonuses. Annual: The average annual salary for travel nurses also varies significantly. On average, they earn $117,490 with a starting salary of $78,430, rising to $170,680 as more experience is gained." URL: https://www.nursingprocess.org/travel-nurse-salary/
[2] "ZipRecruiter.com reports the national average for travel nurses is $118,400 per year. The highest-paying states are New York, California, and Idaho while the lowest reported salaries are in Louisiana and North Carolina." URL: https://www.travelnursing.org/travel-nurse-salary-guide/
[3] "Depending on travel location, these practitioners can earn between $3,000 and $7,000 per week, averaging a 36-hour work week. According to Vivian, a healthcare jobs marketplace, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), travel nurses earn just over $3,167 a week, while RNs earn just under $39.78 an hour." URL: https://nursejournal.org/careers/travel-nurse/salary/
[4] "How Much Money Do Travel Nurses Make? Under normal circumstances, many travel nurses have the potential to earn over $3,000 per week. Travel nurses can bring in over $50 per hour, plus company-paid housing accommodations. Making it entirely possible for travel nurses to make well over $100K per year." URL: https://nurse.org/articles/how-to-make-the-most-money-as-a-travel-nurse/
[5] "Here are the top 10 states for travel nurse salaries, from highest to lowest: California: $121,682 per year Massachusetts: $120,756 per year New York: $120,099 per year Washington: $119,025 per year New Jersey: $117,439 per year Connecticut: $116,585 per year Maryland: $116,506 per year Colorado: $116,476 per year Virginia: $114,843 per year" URL: https://www.aspen.edu/altitude/travel-nursing-salary-how-much-does-a-travel-nurse-make/
[6] "Here is a list of the top 10 states with the highest average salaries for travel registered nurses: Connecticut: $102,919 per year Nevada: $106,110 per year Massachusetts: $111,864 per year Rhode Island: $97,009 New Jersey: $120,721 per year New York: $134,663per year Alaska: $107,319 per year Delaware: $113,119 per year" URL: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/pay-salary/travel-rn-salary
[7] "How Much Do Travel Nurse Jobs Pay per Year? $31,000 - $44,999 3% of jobs $45,000 - $58,999 0% of jobs $59,000 - $72,999 11% of jobs $80,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $73,000 - $86,999 20% of jobs $87,000 - $100,999 17% of jobs The average salary is $105,818 a year $101,000 - $114,999 18% of jobs" URL: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/What-Is-the-Average-Travel-Nurse-Salary-by-State
[8] "Travel Nurse Salary and Employment According to the American Nurses Association, as of 2015 fourteen states had mandatory nurse-patient ratios. Nurses are pushing for federal legislation supporting safe staffing and because of this, and if more states pass safe-staffing laws, nurses will be in even more demand." URL: https://www.registerednursing.org/specialty/travel-nurse/
[9] "The average Travel Nurse salary is $92,247 as of December 27, 2022, but the salary range typically falls between $82,048 and $103,662. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession." URL: https://www.salary.com/research/salary/recruiting/travel-nurse-salary
[10] "Overall, a traveling nurse can earn over $100 000 per year. Having said that, travel nurses also have more expenses. Traveling from place to place can be costly. Most travel costs are covered by the employer or the agency, but you may still need to pay some costs out of your pocket. Finding a place to live may also be pricier." URL: https://nursemoneytalk.com/blog/travel-nurse