Many nurses ask one simple question — how much do travel nurses make in 2026. Travel nurses in the US make more than staff nurses. The national average is $2,165 per week in 2026. That’s $101,132 per year for nurses who work most of the year. Active travel RNs working consistent contracts see weekly packages between $2,000 and $3,200 for standard assignments.
The pay structure for travel nursing is different from permanent roles. Travel nurse pay is a taxable hourly wage plus tax free stipends for housing and meals. Many nurses also get travel reimbursement and bonuses. Staff nurses make around $86,000 per year without the stipend income. That’s why registered nurses are increasingly looking into travel opportunities.
Let’s look at an example. A nurse taking a $2,500 per week contract in a big coastal city would gross $32,500 for a 13 week assignment. Stack a few contracts together and six figure income becomes achievable. All figures in this guide are based on the US healthcare system using 2025-2026 data from active job boards and Bureau of Labor Statistics benchmarks.
This article breaks down nursing salary by state, explains travel nurse contract pay structures and identifies high paying travel nursing jobs by specialty and location.
How Much Do Travel Nurses Make A Year
How much do travel nurses make a year depends on assignment frequency and location choices. Many full-time travel RNs make between $110,000 and $140,000 per year when working 48 to 52 weeks. Some make $150,000 or more by taking crisis contracts or premium specialties.
The blended weekly average is around $2,170 to $2,400 for typical contracts in 2026. Multiply that by 48 working weeks and you’re in the low $100,000s. Monthly pay is $8,700 to $10,400 for nurses with steady assignments.
Staff nurses make much less. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows staff RNs making around $86,070 per year. Travel nurses make 17% to 30% more in gross pay.
| Category | Staff RN | Mid-Range Travel RN | Crisis Travel RN |
| Hourly Rate | $41 | $49 | $55+ |
| Weekly Pay | $1,500 | $2,400 | $3,500+ |
| Annual Salary | $86,000 | $115,000 | $168,000+ |
$168,000+Travel nurses have unpaid gaps between assignments. A nurse making $2,500 per week but taking four weeks off between contracts will make less than those figures suggest. Strategic contract planning matters for maximizing yearly income.
Nurse Salary By State Including Travel Nurse Salary
Nurse salary by state varies greatly across the country. Regional demand, union presence and cost of living all impact what healthcare facilities pay. Travel nurses get paid premium rates in states with chronic nursing shortages.
| State | Staff RN Annual Salary | Travel RN Weekly Pay | Annualized Travel Pay |
| California | $124,000 | $3,200-$4,800 | $153,000-$230,000 |
| New York | $110,000 | $2,800-$4,200 | $134,000-$202,000 |
| Washington | $95,000 | $2,356-$2,800 | $113,000-$134,000 |
| Texas | $80,000 | $2,200-$3,000 | $105,000-$144,000 |
| Florida | $75,000 | $2,000-$2,600 | $96,000-$125,000 |
| Arizona | $78,000 | $2,100-$2,700 | $101,000-$130,000 |
| North Dakota | $72,000 | $2,439 | $117,000 |
| Tennessee | $70,000 | $1,900-$2,400 | $91,000-$115,000 |
| Virginia | $76,000 | $2,100-$2,600 | $101,000-$125,000 |
| Hawaii | $106,000 | $2,600-$3,200 | $125,000-$154,000 |
| South Carolina | $68,000 | $1,800-$2,300 | $86,000-$110,000 |
| Mississippi | $62,000 | $1,700-$2,200 | $82,000-$106,000 |
Washington and California are always top paying states for travel nurses. California’s state-mandated staffing ratios create artificial demand for more nursing staff. Washington’s strong union presence supports higher wages.
Florida pays moderate despite high demand from seasonal population shifts. The average annual income is lower than coastal states. Nurses researching nurse salary by state can use public salary tools to compare their offers.State income tax and living expenses impact net earnings greatly. A higher cost state like California may offer more gross pay but higher rent. Housing stipend adequacy varies by metro area.
High Paying Travel Nursing Jobs And Specialties
Certain nursing specialties get paid premium travel pay. High paying travel nursing jobs cluster in units with chronic staffing gaps and high acuity requirements.
ICU and critical care positions are among the highest paying. Weekly packages often reach $2,800 to $4,000 in high demand areas. The specialty requires advanced certifications and experience with ventilators and hemodynamic monitoring.
NICU travel nurses make around $127,391 per year according to ZipRecruiter data. The specialty limits the candidate pool. Many nurses make more in NICU than med-surg.
Emergency Room positions pay $2,500 to $3,700 per week. High turnover from the stressful environment creates ongoing openings. Facilities with trauma center designations need trained professionals constantly.
Operating room nurses and Cath Lab specialists also get paid premium rates. These specialties pay more due to procedural complexity.
| Specialty | Hourly Range | Weekly Range |
| Travel CRNA | $85-$120 | $4,500-$6,000 |
| NICU | $55-$70 | $2,800-$3,800 |
| ICU | $52-$65 | $2,600-$3,500 |
| ER | $50-$62 | $2,500-$3,700 |
| OR | $48-$60 | $2,400-$3,200 |
| Cath Lab | $50-$63 | $2,500-$3,400 |
Advanced practice roles sit at the top. Travel nurse practitioner positions and travel CRNA roles often go over $180,000 to $250,000 per year with steady assignments.
Considerations beyond pay for high demand specialties:
- ICU requires CCRN certification for many positions
- ER involves high stress and unpredictable patient care volume
- OR positions demand surgical protocol familiarity
- Night shifts often add $3 to $8 per hour differential
- NICU requires specialized nursing education and neonatal experience
Travel Nurse Contract Pay And How It Is Structured
Travel nurse contract pay appears as a blended weekly package. Understanding the components helps nurses evaluate offers accurately.
The taxable base pay covers 36 to 48 hours weekly at your hourly wage. This portion is subject to federal and state income tax. Base hourly rates range from $25 to $45 depending on specialty and location.Overtime kicks in after 40 hours in most states. Facilities pay time-and-a-half or double-time for extra shifts. Overtime can add thousands to a 13 week contract.
Housing stipend covers rent and utilities. Non-taxable amounts vary by assignment location. San Francisco might offer $1,800 weekly while rural Tennessee provides $700.
Meals and incidentals stipends follow federal per diem rates. Daily amounts range from $40 to $70 depending on metro area. These tax free stipends make a big difference in take-home pay.
Example 13 week contract breakdown:
- Base pay: $1,400 weekly (taxable)
- Housing stipend: $700 weekly (non-taxable)
- Meals stipend: $700 weekly (non-taxable)
- Total weekly: $2,800
- Contract total: $36,400
Before signing:
- Guaranteed hours per week
- Cancellation clauses and notice requirements
- On-call expectations and standby compensation
- Missed shifts reduce stipend amounts
- Sign-on and completion bonus terms
- Travel reimbursement at assignment start
A travel agency should provide itemized pay package in writing. Review everything before committing to a travel assignment.
Average Nurse Pay vs Travel Nurse Pay
Average nurse pay is around $86,000 per year based on 2024-2025 data. Staff nurses get steady pay with traditional benefits. Health insurance, retirement contributions and paid time off come with the job.
Travel nurses trade those benefits for higher weekly cash. A staff RN making $41 per hour might switch to travel and make $55 per hour plus $1,400 weekly stipends. Average travel nurse salary is $15,000 to $40,000 more than staff pay per year.
A staff nurse working 36 hours a week in a large urban hospital makes around $85,000 with benefits. Same nurse taking travel contracts might make $125,000 but pay for own housing and health insurance independently.
Pros and cons:
- Staff offers income stability and predictable scheduling
- Travel provides higher compensation and flexibility
- Staff includes employer sponsored retirement matching
- Travel allows to see different healthcare facilities
- Staff builds seniority and promotion opportunities
Many nurses rotate between staff and travel. They get to see different practice settings while balancing financial goals with career stability.
State by State Trends and Nurse Salary
Nursing pay by state changes year to year based on regional demand. Coastal states always offer higher gross pay. Central states often provide more purchasing power after adjusting for lower costs.
California and New York lead in raw numbers. But rent in San Francisco can eat up most of a housing stipend. A nurse making $3,600 a week in California might net similar savings as one making $2,400 in Missouri.
Nurses should compare assignments using both base pay and estimated housing costs. The highest travel nurse pay on paper may not be the best net outcome.
Factors that affect state-level nursing pay:
- Union contracts and collective bargaining strength
- Statewide staffing ratio laws
- Rural shortage incentives and critical access hospital needs
- Teaching hospital concentration in metro areas
- Labor statistics on regional nursing shortages
- Diem meal costs and overall cost of living
North Dakota and South Dakota rank high for travel pay despite lower cost of living. Staffing gaps in these areas drive up pay.
How Much Do Travel Nurses Make By Experience Level
Years of bedside experience directly impact travel pay. Agencies and hospitals offer premium packages to nurses with a proven track record.
Nurses new to travel with 1-2 years core experience typically see starting packages around $1,800 to $2,200 a week. These newer travelers may accept the first offer before learning how to negotiate. Lower initial pay reflects the learning curve.
Mid-career travel nurses with 3-7 years experience have more options. Weekly packages range from $2,400 to $3,200 for standard assignments. This is the sweet spot for most contracts.
Highly experienced nurses with 8+ years often make $3,000 to $4,000 a week. Those with charge nurse or educator backgrounds earn extra. These nurses can be picky.
Ways newer travelers can increase earnings:
- Get specialty certifications like CCRN or CEN
- Take night shifts and weekend assignments
- Choose understaffed areas over popular destinations
- Build relationships with recruiters for early access to contracts
- Complete several items on facility wish lists like floating ability
Pay increases quickly in the first few contracts. A nurse starting at $2,000 a week often makes $2,600 by their third contract through better negotiation.
Stipends, Bonuses and Non Taxable Pay
A big reason travel nurses seem to make so much is the heavy use of tax free compensation. Housing and meals stipends are tax free when nurses have a legitimate tax home.Housing stipends match local rental market data. New York City might offer $2,000 weekly. Lower cost areas provide $600 to $900. Nurses choosing own housing pocket the difference between stipend and actual rent.
Meals and incidentals follow GSA per diem rates. Common amounts are $40 to $65 daily. Weekly totals are $280 to $455 tax free.
Travel reimbursement covers relocation at assignment start. Some contracts include flights or mileage. This reduces out of pocket travel expenses.
Sign-on bonuses range from $1,000 to $5,000. Completion bonuses reward finishing the full contract term. Extension bonuses incentivize staying beyond the original 13 weeks.
Weekly paycheck breakdown example:
- Taxable hourly wage: $1,200 (federal/state taxes apply)
- Housing stipend: $900 (tax free)
- Meals stipend: $500 (tax free)
- Total: $2,600 weekly
Nurses should confirm tax home rules with a professional. IRS requirements include maintaining a permanent residence with actual living expenses during assignments.
Tips to avoid surprises:
- Request itemized pay packages from every agency
- Confirm if cancelled shifts reduce stipends
- Save documentation for potential audits
- Understand your taxable income versus total compensation
- Compare after tax take home versus gross amounts
Highest Paying Travel Nursing Jobs By State
Some states consistently offer high paying travel nursing jobs due to chronic staffing gaps. Population growth and high acuity medical centers drive demand.
California has the highest paying travel nursing jobs. San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego offer $3,600 to $4,800 weekly. However, living expenses consume most of it.
New York state is second. New York City and surrounding areas offer $2,800 to $4,200 weekly. New Hyde Park has the highest paying jobs at $4,016 weekly. Competition for housing is fierce.
Washington state offers strong pay with lower costs than California. Seattle area contracts average $2,356 to $2,800 weekly. Union influence drives the pay.
Texas is a surprise for many nurses. Kyle and Edinburg offer $3,700 to $4,200 weekly with moderate cost of living. Specific facility needs drive the pay.
Alaska is for nurses who want adventure. Barrow area contracts reach $125,987 annually. Geographic isolation and seasonal demand creates opportunities.
Top paying metro areas:
- San Francisco: $3,600+ weekly but very high rent* New York City: $3,200+ with high cost of living
- Seattle: $2,600 with moderate costs
- Boston: $2,800 in competitive market
- Phoenix: $2,400 with low costs
- Dallas: $2,500 with affordable housing
Consider both income and cost of living. Track offers over several months to see patterns in your target specialties.
Travel Nurse Salary FAQs
Common travel nurse pay questions deserve straight answers.
How Much Do Travel Nurses Make Per Year
Many US travel RNs in 2026 make in the low to mid $100,000s per year when working close to year round. Some make $150,000 or more by taking high paying assignments and overtime. How much do travel nurses make per year depends on specialty, region and weeks worked. Nurses who prefer extended breaks between contracts will see lower annual totals. Strategic contract choices and consistent scheduling impact yearly outcomes.
What Is The Average Weekly Pay For Travel Nurses
Recent national data shows many travel RN contracts between $2,000 and $3,000 per week. Crisis or rapid response roles go above $3,500 weekly. Less demanding assignments in lower cost areas advertise around $1,800 weekly. These weekly figures include both taxable wages and non-taxable stipends. Focus on pay package details not the headline numbers when comparing offers.
How Does Travel Nurse Pay Compare To Nurse Pay
Staff roles are in the high $80,000s per year while full-time travel RNs are in $110,000 to $130,000. This doesn’t account for staff benefits like pensions and paid time off. Travel nurses trade stability for higher short term pay. The better option depends on personal priorities. Many nurses move between staff and travel to balance both over time.
Which Specialties Have The Highest Travel Nurse Contract Pay
ICU, NICU, ER, OR, and Cath Lab positions have the highest travel nurse contract pay. ICU and Cath Lab contracts are $2,800 to $4,000 weekly in high demand areas. Certification, experience and willingness to work night shifts bump up the package. Travel CRNA and nurse practitioner roles make far more than RN positions but require advanced education.
How Does Location Affect Nursing Salary By State And Travel Pay
Location affects both staff wages and travel pay. Nursing salary by state data shows big regional variations. Washington might pay $2,800 while Florida pays $2,200 for the same work. Higher gross pay often means higher rent and living costs. Research housing prices and taxes in the target area to see if the offer is really competitive for that market.
If you are ready to explore high paying travel nursing jobs, apply today and find your next assignment faster.
