The travel nursing market in 2026 isn’t as hot as it was during the pandemic surge, but it’s still a great career path for registered nurses who want flexibility, higher pay and the ability to work across the country. This guide breaks down how travel RN positions actually work in today’s market — from where to find the best jobs to what really matters before you sign a contract.
What is a Travel RN Position in 2026?
Travel RN positions are temporary nursing contracts, usually 8-13 weeks, where you work at facilities that need short term staffing support. These assignments exist because hospitals, surgical centers and clinics experience staffing gaps due to seasonal fluctuations, census spikes, leaves of absence or difficulty recruiting permanent staff nurses.
The roles go way beyond bedside care. You can find contracts for:
- Bedside staff RN (Med Surg, ICU, ER, L&D, OR)
- Leadership positions (Nurse Manager, Director of Nursing, House Supervisor)
- Specialty roles (Cath Lab, Interventional Radiology, Endoscopy, PACU)
- Non-clinical RN work (Case Management, Utilization Review, Nurse Educator)
Contracts can be local (within commuting distance of your permanent residence) or true travel (requiring temporary relocation away from your tax home). The difference matters because pay structure and tax treatment are very different between the two.
ICU RN, 13-week contract in Denver, 3×12 nights, $2,600–$3,100/week gross. As of early 2026, many travel nurses are seeing weekly gross pay between about $2,100 and $4,500, with some specialty and leadership roles going up to $5,000/week in high demand situations.
Key terms you’ll encounter:
- Contract length: Standard is 13 weeks, but ranges from 4 weeks to 26+ weeks
- Shift type: 3×12 (three 12-hour shifts), 4×10 (four 10-hour shifts), 5×8 (five 8-hour shifts)
- Bill rate: What the hospital pays the agency per hour; your pay is derived from this
Current Market Snapshot: Pay, Demand and Example Travel RN Positions
The US travel RN market in early 2026 has cooled off from pandemic highs but is still active, especially in high demand specialties and certain geographic regions. Travelers who know what’s current can still earn more than permanent staff positions and gain diverse clinical experience.
Nationwide, travel RN pay is usually in the $2,100–$2,500/week range for core specialties like Med Surg and Telemetry. Specialty areas, leadership roles and high cost of living locations push that higher.
Here are realistic examples based on current market trends:
Sample pay ranges by specialty:
- L&D RN: ~$3,400–$3,900/week for 5×8 day shifts
- Cath Lab RN: ~$2,600–$3,800/week for 4x10s or 3x12s with call
- OR / Endoscopy RN: ~$3,000–$4,900/week depending on call
- Case Management Nurse Manager: ~$3,900–$4,800/week for 5×8 days in California
Demand is high in several settings: large teaching hospitals with high patient volumes, rural critical access facilities struggling to recruit permanent staff, and cities with population growth. Popular travel destinations like California, Washington, Colorado, Texas, Florida and the Carolinas always have many openings.
Example Job Posts
ICU RN $2800-$3200 a week, 3×12 nights in Colorado
L&D RN $3400-$3700 a week, 3×12 nights in South Carolina
Cath Lab RN $2900-$3500 a week, 4×10 day shifts and some call in Texas
Case Mgmt Manager $4200-$4800 a week, 5×8 days in California
Pay rates and availability change weekly. Always check current job boards for up to date figures rather than numbers that are a month old.
Where to Find Current Travel RN Positions
Most US travel nurses use a combination of staffing agencies, job marketplaces and sometimes direct-hire platforms to search jobs and find assignments. Knowing how each works helps you search more efficiently.
Travel nurse agencies: These are companies like TLC Nursing, AMN Healthcare, Aya Healthcare and dozens of smaller firms that employ travel nurses directly. When you work with an agency you get a dedicated recruiter who handles job submissions, contract negotiation and ongoing support. Many agencies have their own portals or mobile apps where you can browse available travel nursing jobs, track your credentials and manage timesheets.
Job marketplaces: These platforms aggregate postings from multiple agencies, let you compare pay packages for the same position across different companies. You can often see the weekly gross, location and shift details before speaking with any recruiter. This transparency helps you quickly identify the best offers.
Direct with health systems: Some large hospital chains run internal travel or “float pool” programs with set pay packages. These may offer less negotiation flexibility but can provide consistency if you prefer working within one system.
How to search:
- Filter by specialty (ICU, OR, L&D, Case Management, Educator roles)
- Filter by location (state, region or specific cities like San Francisco or Charleston)
- Filter by shift pattern (days vs. nights, 3×12 vs. 5×8)
- Sort by weekly pay to spot higher paying options quickly
- Set up alerts to get notified when new jobs matching your criteria post
Agency mobile apps let you save searches, view facility information at a glance and track onboarding tasks like licensure verification and compliance documents. Check these tools multiple times a week if you’re actively looking—the best contracts can fill within days.
Qualifications and Requirements for Travel RN Positions
Travel RN positions require you to hit the ground running with minimal orientation. Facilities expect travelers to function independently in unfamiliar environments which is why requirements are stricter than many permanent staff roles.
Baseline requirements
- Active, unencumbered RN license in at least one U.S. state
- Typically 1–2 years of recent experience in your travel specialty (e.g. 2 years recent ICU experience for ICU contracts)
- Current BLS certification; specialty certifications as required (ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC, NIH Stroke)
Most agencies won’t consider new grads for travel positions. The experience threshold exists because you’ll encounter different charting systems, equipment and protocols at each facility with limited time to learn.
Multi-state licensure:
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) The NLC allows nurses to practice in multiple states with a single license. As of 2025, 43 states and jurisdictions are NLC members. If you have a compact license from a member state like Texas you can take assignments in other compact states like Florida or South Carolina without getting additional licenses. Non-compact states (like NY, CA and MA) require separate licensure through their state board of nursing. Plan ahead—license processing can take weeks or months depending on the state.
Additional compliance items:
- Criminal background check and employment verification
- Physical exam and TB testing
- Vaccination documentation or titers (MMR, Varicella, Hep B, flu, COVID per facility policy)
- Skills checklists specific to your specialty
- Drug screening
Pre-travel checklist:
- Confirm your years of specialty experience and gather documentation
- Update your resume with exact dates, unit types and bed counts
- Collect digital copies of licenses, certifications and vaccination records
- Prepare two professional RN references with current contact information
- Review your compact license status or begin single-state applications for target locations
How Travel RN Pay Packages, Contracts and Housing Really Work
Travel nurse salary works differently than a standard staff position. Your compensation is a package combining taxable wages and non-taxable stipends (for those who qualify by maintaining a tax home), plus potential bonuses.
Typical weekly pay breakdown:
- Taxable base pay: $20–$40 per hour for 36 scheduled hours
- Housing stipend: Non-taxable; varies by city (higher in areas like San Francisco, lower in rural locations)
- Meals & incidentals (M&IE): Non-taxable weekly amount
- Overtime, call pay, shift differentials: Taxable additions when applicable
Example package: 13-week OR RN contract, 3×12 nights in Washington state, $3,800/week gross. Breakdown: $22/hr taxable base ($792/week) + $1,400/week housing stipend + $600/week M&IE + $1,008 in additional stipends.
Contract essentials to review carefully:
- Start date, end date and orientation schedule
- Shift type (days/nights, 3×12 vs. 4×10 vs. 5×8) and weekend/holiday expectations Contract details:
- Guaranteed hours and cancellation policy (what happens if the facility cancels your shifts?)
- Floating requirements (to similar or lower acuity units)
- On-call requirements, callback pay rates, and overtime rules
- Sign-on or completion bonuses
Housing:
You choose between agency-provided housing or taking the stipend and finding your own.
| Option | Pros | Cons |
| Agency housing | Furnished, utilities included, no legwork | Less control over location/quality |
| Stipend + self-arranged | Potential cost savings, choose your space | More work, upfront deposits, lease terms |
Tax home:
To get tax-free stipends, you generally must have a legitimate tax home—a permanent residence where you pay rent or mortgage and return to periodically. Nurses who don’t have a tax home may be considered itinerant and must take fully taxable pay packages. Consult a tax professional familiar with travel healthcare workers before assuming your tax situation.
High-Demand Specialties and Locations for Travel RN Positions
Demand shifts based on seasonal patterns, regional staffing crises and specialty shortages. But some areas need travelers year-round.
High-demand specialties:
- Med Surg / Telemetry: The highest volume of openings nationwide; often 3×12 nights; weekly gross commonly $2,100–$2,800
- ICU / Critical Care: Strong demand in both large urban hospitals and smaller community facilities; pay often $2,600–$3,400/week
- Emergency Department: Frequent needs in rural EDs and high-volume urban trauma centers; rotating shifts common
- Labor & Delivery / Mother-Baby / NICU: Steady demand including interim Nurse Manager roles; pay sometimes exceeds $3,000–$4,000/week for leadership
- OR / PACU / Endoscopy / Cath Lab: Procedural areas pay well, especially with call; weekly gross can hit $3,000–$4,500+ depending on region
- Case Management, Nurse Manager, Director roles: When open, these often pay $3,000–$5,000+ weekly because they require management experience
Geographic trends:
Coastal states (California, Washington, MA) and popular destinations (Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Florida, the Carolinas) have many openings but higher cost of living. Rural and underserved areas in the Midwest and South may offer crisis rates and bonuses when staffing is critical.
Assignment examples:
- L&D RN in Charleston, SC: 13 weeks, 3×12 nights, ~$3,400/week
- Case Management RN Manager in a large Midwestern hospital: 5×8 days, ~$3,800–$4,500/week
- Cath Lab RN in a Texas metro: 4x10s with call, ~$2,800–$3,700/week depending on callback hours
Seasonal trends:
- Winter: More demand in warm climates (Florida, Arizona) and ski regions
- Summer months: Increased needs in coastal tourist areas and regions with population spikes
How to Apply for Travel RN Positions: A Step-by-Step Guide
The application process moves fast. Travel nursing jobs can post and fill within days so being application-ready before you start searching gives you a big advantage.
Step-by-step application process:
- Choose 1–3 agencies or platforms to work with. Spreading yourself across too many recruiters creates confusion and competing submissions.
- Complete a full profile: Include work history with unit types (e.g., Surgical ICU, Level III NICU), shift experience, patient populations and an accurate skills checklist.
- Upload essential documents: RN license, certifications (BLS, ACLS, specialty certs), current resume, vaccination records and any prior performance evaluations.
- Discuss pre-submission parameters with your recruiter: Agree on acceptable pay ranges, shift types, locations and any hard limits before they submit you anywhere.
- Submit to jobs quickly: Your recruiter sends your profile to facilities. In competitive markets, submissions within hours of posting can make a difference.
- Interview with the manager: Usually a 15–30 minute phone or video call. Expect questions about recent cases, ratios you’re comfortable with, charting systems you know and your flexibility with floating.
- Review and sign the contract: Confirm every detail in writing—pay, guaranteed hours, cancellation policy, housing arrangement and any bonuses.
- Onboarding: Health screenings, drug screens, background checks and facility-specific education modules must be completed before your start date.
Application tips:
- Keep your voicemail professional and check email multiple times daily when actively searching
- Tell your recruiter your absolute “no’s” (e.g., no nights, no floating to ICU) before any submission
- Never agree verbally to terms that aren’t also written in your contract
- Respond to interview requests within hours, not days
How to Choose the Right Travel RN Position for You
The highest-paying contract isn’t always the best fit once you factor in cost of living, workload and your career goals. Comparing offers requires looking beyond the weekly gross.
Things to compare:
- Total weekly gross vs. local cost of living: A $4,000/week San Francisco job with $2,500/month rent may net less than a $3,200/week Midwest job with $1,200/month rent
- Guaranteed hours and cancellation policies: “36 hours guaranteed” means different things if the facility can cancel one shift per pay period without penalty
- Patient ratios and acuity: Ask during your interview about typical day/night ratios and census patterns
- Floating requirements: Will you float to units outside your specialty or comfort zone?
- Shift type and schedule: Days vs. nights, 3×12 vs. 5×8, weekend/holiday rotation expectations
- Facility type: Teaching hospital vs. community; Magnet status; trauma level
Career strategy:
Use early assignments to strengthen core skills in your specialty. If you’re planning long-term travel or future leadership, choose at least one assignment at a larger academic medical center or a facility known for strong education and resources.
Comparison:
| Factor | California Job | Midwest Job |
| Weekly gross | $3,800 | $3,100 |
| Monthly housing cost | $2,400 | $1,100 |
| Commute | 45 min each way | 15 min each way |
| Ratios | 1:5 days, 1:6 nights | 1:4 days, 1:5 nights |
| Net monthly after housing | ~$12,800 | ~$11,300 |
The California job pays more gross but leaves only slightly more after housing, with a harder commute and heavier ratios. For some nurses, the Midwest contract offers better quality of life despite the lower headline number.
Make a comparison sheet for each offer you’re considering: weekly pay, housing cost, parking, commute time, shift type, ratios, and floating expectations. It’s easier to decide when everything is on one page.
New Travel RNs: First Assignment and Beyond
The first travel contract can be overwhelming—new city, new facility, new team, new charting system. After that first assignment, it gets much easier because you know what to expect.
First assignment:
- Start with a location that feels comfortable (same region, or a state where you have family or friends nearby)
- Choose a specialty and patient population you already know well rather than learning something new while also learning to travel
- Avoid contracts with extremely high acuity and thin staffing if possible—save the challenging assignments for when you’re more experienced as a traveler
On-assignment tips:
- Get to the city 1–2 days before your first shift to get settled and do a test drive to the facility
- Bring printed copies of your contract, assignment details and key phone numbers (recruiter, housing contact, facility staffing office)
- During orientation, be proactive: ask about the charting system, rapid response procedures, code team expectations, and escalation pathways
- Introduce yourself to the charge nurse and unit manager on your first day
Work-life balance while traveling:
- Set a realistic budget, especially in high-cost cities—don’t let amazing pay disappear into dining out and entertainment
- Explore your new area on days off (local parks, museums, restaurants) to make the experience rewarding beyond the paycheck
- Stay connected to family and your support team back home through regular calls and video chats
- Take a break between contracts if you need it—burnout is real
After your first contract, much of your documentation and compliance will roll over, so future submissions will be faster. You’ll be able to respond quickly to high-paying or last-minute opportunities because your profile is already complete.
Travel RN FAQs
How much do travel RNs really make per week?
Most travel nurses earn between $2,100 and $3,000 per week for core specialties. High-demand specialties, leadership roles and crisis assignments can reach $4,000–$5,000+. Rates vary by location, specialty and market conditions
How long are most travel RN contracts?
13 weeks is the standard, but you’ll find assignments from 4 weeks to 26+ weeks. Crisis or rapid response assignments can be 2–6 weeks with higher hours.
Can new grads work as travel RNs?
Generally no. Most agencies and facilities require at least 1 year of recent experience in your specialty. High-acuity areas like ICU or ER typically require 2+ years. New grads should focus on building bedside experience at a permanent position first.
Can I bring my family or pets?
Many travelers do bring family or pets, but it requires extra planning. You’ll need pet-friendly housing (not all agency housing allows pets), and if you have children, you’ll need to research school enrollment or daycare in each location. Some travelers wait until their family situation allows more flexibility.
Do I get benefits like health insurance and 401(k)?
Most agencies offer health insurance, dental, vision, and retirement plans. Coverage details, waiting periods and company contributions vary by agency. Ask your recruiter for the full benefits breakdown before signing.
What if a hospital cancels my contract?
Contract cancellations do happen due to census drops or budget changes. Review your contract’s cancellation clause carefully—some offer limited pay protection or notice requirements. If cancelled, your recruiter will typically find you a new assignment quickly, but there may be a gap.
Do I need a license in every state where I want to work?
If you have a compact license from an NLC state, you can work in any of the 43 compact states without additional licensure. For non-compact states like NY, CA or NJ, you’ll need to apply separately through that state’s board of nursing.
How do I choose between multiple agencies?
Compare pay transparency, recruiter responsiveness, benefits packages and the agency’s reputation for support when issues arise. Many experienced travelers work with 2–3 agencies at once to access more opportunities. Read reviews, talk to other travelers and trust your experience with the recruiter during initial conversations.
