Compared to other nurses, travel nurse salary is usually higher as they must change their work location regularly. Basically, travel nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who work temporarily, typically for 13-week assignments, in various healthcare facilities. Their job responsibilities can vary depending on the specific facility, location, and needs of the healthcare system.
According to recent findings, the average hourly rate for travel nurses is $59.66. Consequently, the monthly average salary of travel nurses is $10,340. Finally, the average travel nurse’s salary annually is $124,100. Travel nurses must know how much travel nurses make so that they can negotiate their contracts successfully.
Here is a state-wide list of average travel nurse salaries and the difference between the salaries of beginner travel nurses and experienced travel nurses.
| State | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary | ||||
| Starting | Experienced | Average | Starting | Experienced | Average | |
| California | $56.77 | $119.09 | $89.38 | $118,090 | $247,710 | $185,900 |
| Hawaii | $51.37 | $92.31 | $75.89 | $106,850 | $192,000 | $157,850 |
| Oregon | $54.61 | $87.95 | $71.46 | $113,590 | $182,930 | $148,640 |
| Massachusetts | $45.23 | $103.33 | $69.81 | $94,080 | $214,930 | $145,210 |
| Alaska | $54.26 | $85.31 | $69.25 | $112,860 | $177,450 | $144,030 |
| Washington | $51.92 | $87.96 | $68.15 | $107,990 | $182,960 | $141,750 |
| New York | $43.46 | $89.12 | $67.12 | $90,400 | $185,360 | $139,600 |
| District of Columbia | $44.41 | $90.66 | $65.84 | $92,380 | $188,580 | $136,950 |
| New Jersey | $51.38 | $79.19 | $64.80 | $106,870 | $164,720 | $134,780 |
| Nevada | $49.74 | $87.27 | $64.56 | $103,450 | $181,520 | $134,280 |
| Connecticut | $47.63 | $80.17 | $63.18 | $99,060 | $166,750 | $131,420 |
| Minnesota | $43.90 | $72.37 | $59.56 | $91,320 | $150,520 | $123,890 |
| Rhode Island | $43.75 | $70.24 | $59.15 | $90,990 | $146,100 | $123,040 |
| Maryland | $43.36 | $71.66 | $58.98 | $90,180 | $149,050 | $122,680 |
| Arizona | $44.26 | $70.73 | $58.14 | $92,070 | $147,120 | $120,930 |
| Colorado | $44.33 | $71.89 | $58.04 | $92,200 | $149,540 | $120,720 |
| New Mexico | $43.24 | $71.25 | $57.37 | $89,940 | $148,200 | $119,320 |
| Georgia | $40.49 | $79.27 | $57.10 | $84,210 | $164,890 | $118,760 |
| Delaware | $42.97 | $67.77 | $56.99 | $89,370 | $140,970 | $118,530 |
| Texas | $41.52 | $70.56 | $56.52 | $86,370 | $146,770 | $117,560 |
| New Hampshire | $42.09 | $69.89 | $55.91 | $87,540 | $145,370 | $116,300 |
| Illinois | $41.68 | $68.42 | $55.11 | $86,690 | $142,320 | $114,630 |
| Virginia | $41.54 | $69.99 | $54.87 | $86,400 | $145,570 | $114,130 |
| Wyoming | $40.83 | $68.38 | $54.30 | $84,920 | $142,220 | $112,940 |
| Wisconsin | $43.64 | $67.58 | $54.29 | $90,780 | $140,560 | $112,930 |
| Michigan | $43.08 | $67.64 | $54.07 | $89,610 | $140,700 | $112,460 |
| Pennsylvania | $41.19 | $68.00 | $54.04 | $85,670 | $141,440 | $112,410 |
| Vermont | $40.82 | $68.08 | $53.62 | $84,910 | $141,610 | $111,520 |
| Florida | $41.01 | $67.07 | $53.56 | $85,310 | $139,500 | $111,410 |
| Idaho | $41.25 | $67.32 | $52.69 | $85,790 | $140,030 | $109,600 |
| Ohio | $41.47 | $65.94 | $52.58 | $86,250 | $137,160 | $109,370 |
| Montana | $42.18 | $66.34 | $52.52 | $87,740 | $137,980 | $109,240 |
| Kentucky | $37.62 | $66.05 | $52.03 | $78,240 | $137,380 | $108,220 |
| North Carolina | $39.94 | $67.32 | $51.89 | $83,070 | $140,020 | $107,940 |
| Maine | $41.00 | $67.64 | $51.89 | $85,280 | $140,690 | $107,930 |
| Oklahoma | $35.90 | $65.37 | $51.56 | $74,670 | $135,960 | $107,240 |
| Utah | $41.46 | $65.69 | $51.21 | $86,230 | $136,630 | $106,520 |
| Louisiana | $38.54 | $64.04 | $50.89 | $80,170 | $133,200 | $105,850 |
| Indiana | $37.00 | $64.08 | $50.66 | $76,960 | $133,290 | $105,370 |
| North Dakota | $40.74 | $61.10 | $50.27 | $84,740 | $127,080 | $104,570 |
| South Carolina | $35.27 | $62.47 | $49.82 | $73,360 | $129,930 | $103,630 |
| Nebraska | $39.48 | $62.49 | $49.27 | $82,120 | $129,980 | $102,490 |
| Tennessee | $34.37 | $64.00 | $48.58 | $71,480 | $133,130 | $101,050 |
| West Virginia | $31.93 | $64.66 | $48.41 | $66,420 | $134,500 | $100,700 |
| Kansas | $34.86 | $62.42 | $48.25 | $72,510 | $129,830 | $100,370 |
| Missouri | $34.48 | $63.24 | $48.17 | $71,720 | $131,530 | $100,190 |
| Iowa | $37.76 | $55.88 | $46.50 | $78,540 | $116,220 | $96,720 |
| Mississippi | $33.50 | $56.32 | $45.53 | $69,680 | $117,150 | $94,710 |
| Alabama | $32.72 | $55.47 | $44.85 | $68,060 | $115,380 | $93,290 |
| Arkansas | $25.22 | $56.10 | $44.60 | $52,460 | $116,690 | $92,760 |
| South Dakota | $34.35 | $54.20 | $43.24 | $71,440 | $112,740 | $89,930 |
| (Source: NP Editorial Assessment) | ||||||
Tips to Boost Your Travel Nurse Salary
Choose high-paying assignments
Research and choose gigs in areas with a higher cost of living or locations facing nursing shortages. These assignments often offer higher pay rates to attract healthcare professionals.
Negotiate your contract
Negotiate your contract terms, including pay rate, stipends, benefits, and bonuses. If you have specialized skills or certifications, use them as leverage during negotiations.
SkillGigs is an AI-powered talent marketplace that allows you to negotiate your contract with potential employers after matching you with them based on each other requirements.
Specialize and gain certifications
Acquiring specialized skills and certifications, such as Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) or Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN), can make you more attractive to potential employers and lead to higher pay rates.
Work in high-demand specialties
Some travel nursing specialties are in higher demand than others. Nursing specialties such as ICU, OR, ER, and labor and delivery often command higher pay due to their critical nature.
Gain experience
Building an extensive work history as a travel nurse can lead to higher-paying assignments. Experienced travel nurses are often more sought after by healthcare facilities.
Flexibility
Being open to various shifts, including nights and weekends, can lead to a higher travel nurse salary. Healthcare facilities often offer additional compensation for less desirable job timings.
Maximize stipends
Travel nurse salary components can often include stipends for housing, meals, and incidentals. Research local housing costs and seek cost-effective options to maximize the value of these stipends.
Maintain a strong resume
Continuously update your Resume to highlight your skills, certifications, and experience. A well-presented resume can make you a more attractive candidate for higher-paying assignments.
SkillGigs allows you to convert your traditional 2D Resume into an attractive 3D Resume. The 3D Resume increases your chances of getting job opportunities.
Network
Attend nursing conferences, workshops, and seminars to expand your professional network. Networking can lead to connections that offer higher-paying opportunities.
Conclusion
The average travel nurse’s salary differs from state to state. These tips are helpful for travel nurses looking to boost their salary. Apart from a good salary, you must find assignments that align with your career goals, interests, and work-life balance. Prioritize your well-being and job satisfaction alongside financial considerations.
If you are new to SkillGigs, then sign up. It is free. It will be your opportunity to see top travel nursing opportunities currently available to help you get to the next level of success.
