Welcome to the March 2026 edition of the SkillGigs Money Story, your monthly, data-driven overview of verified RN salary trends across the U.S. healthcare market. Powered by insights from 3,000+ verified employer bids, this report helps travel nurses track how compensation is evolving as we transition out of peak winter demand and move toward spring staffing cycles.
March is a key turning point in the healthcare labor market. As winter surges begin to stabilize and hospitals reassess staffing strategies, this month’s salary trends reveal where demand is holding strong, where corrections are happening, and which specialties are gaining momentum heading into Q2.
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Acute Care RN
- Apr: $53.43
- May: $51.79
- June: $53.43
- July: $54.82
- Aug: $55.72
- Sept: $55.38
- Oct: $55.26
- Nov: $53.73
- Dec: $52.88
- Jan: $56.85
- Feb: $61.42
- Mar: $55.71
Trend: Acute Care RN salaries saw a strong spike in February, driven by peak winter demand. March data shows a slight correction in the trend but still indicates a promising year ahead.
ER RN
- Apr: $61.60
- May: $59.36
- June: $58.51
- July: $60.44
- Aug: $60.77
- Sept: $59.71
- Oct: $58.53
- Nov: $57.45
- Dec: $58.53
- Jan: $61.79
- Feb: $59.58
- Mar: $61.40
Trend: ER RN salaries saw a correction in February after January’s spike. March trends reveal emergency departments maintain steady compensation for March.
ICU RN
- Apr: $62.42
- May: $62.50
- June: $62.71
- July: $63.63
- Aug: $62.99
- Sept: $63.17
- Oct: $60.79
- Nov: $60.43
- Dec: $61.10
- Jan: $62.32
- Feb: $63.09
- Mar: $59.15
Trend: ICU RN salaries remained strong and consistent through February as critical care demand stayed high. March data shows a slight correction coming into the spring season.
Labor & Delivery (L&D) RN
- Apr: $66.30
- May: $64.57
- June: $65.82
- July: $66.39
- Aug: $65.39
- Sept: $65.98
- Oct: $69.00
- Nov: $69.99
- Dec: $67.04
- Jan: $66.32
- Feb: $64.08
- Mar: $65.89
Trend: L&D RN salaries experienced a slight dip in February after a strong late-2025 run. March figures show that this high-paying specialty rebounds and the upward trend continues.
Med Surg RN
- Apr: $59.98
- May: $58.69
- June: $58.33
- July: $57.44
- Aug: $56.38
- Sept: $52.34
- Oct: $55.70
- Nov: $52.78
- Dec: $53.22
- Jan: $53.97
- Feb: $55.42
- Mar: $61.03
Trend: Med Surg RN salaries showed signs of recovery in February after prolonged pressure. March data reveals that the rising patient volumes continue to push compensation upwards and shows the highest compensation for this year.
OR RN (Operating Room)
- Apr: $65.30
- May: $65.92
- June: $64.18
- July: $63.29
- Aug: $61.92
- Sept: $62.82
- Oct: $61.41
- Nov: $61.43
- Dec: $63.46
- Jan: $69.10
- Feb: $65.62
- Mar: $66.02
Trend: OR RN salaries corrected slightly in February following a January surge. March trends indicate surgical demand continues to support higher pay levels as OR RN salary shows an upward trend.
PCU RN (Progressive Care Unit)
- Apr: $62.49
- May: $61.14
- June: $60.11
- July: $60.67
- Aug: $61.15
- Sept: $60.70
- Oct: $58.24
- Nov: $59.50
- Dec: $58.56
- Jan: $60.01
- Feb: $61.58
- Mar: $60.70
Trend: PCU RN salaries continued their recovery in February as step-down care demand increased. March data shows a correction but still hints at a promising year ahead.
Physical Therapist
- Apr: $64.19
- May: $62.64
- June: $62.51
- July: $61.28
- Aug: $61.71
- Sept: $60.31
- Oct: $60.97
- Nov: $62.96
- Dec: $64.20
- Jan: $64.67
- Feb: $63.51
- Mar: $64.40
Trend: Physical Therapist salaries saw a slight correction in February after a strong recovery. March trends reveal that outpatient and rehab demand continue to support stable compensation throughout the year.
TeleHealth RN
- Apr: $58.92
- May: $59.03
- June: $58.19
- July: $61.30
- Aug: $59.62
- Sept: $59.65
- Oct: $57.29
- Nov: $58.90
- Dec: $64.14
- Jan: $65.59
- Feb: $62.27
- Mar: $63.85
Trend: TeleHealth RN salaries dipped slightly in February after strong growth entering 2026. March data shows that virtual care demand regains upward momentum after a slight correction.
Conclusion
March marks a critical transition period in the 2026 RN salary trends. As healthcare systems move beyond peak winter demand and begin preparing for spring staffing needs, this month’s salary trends will help define short-term market direction.
From the continued strength of ICU and PCU roles to evolving dynamics across ER, Med Surg, and TeleHealth specialties, the March Money Story provides travel nurses with a clear view of where opportunity and earning potential are shifting next.
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