Welcome to the February 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 continues to evolve as winter demand remains strong across many healthcare facilities.
February often reflects the continuation of winter staffing pressures, as hospitals balance patient surges, contract extensions, and operational adjustments following the start of the new year. These salary trends provide travel nurses with a clear view of how healthcare facilities are adapting compensation strategies to maintain adequate staffing levels across critical specialties.
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Acute Care RN
- Mar: $54.41
- 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
Trend: Acute Care RN salaries showed renewed strength in January as hospitals responded to seasonal patient volumes. February data reveals a spike in the trend showing increased demand for Acute care RNs.
ER RN
- Mar: $60.95
- 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
Trend: ER RN salaries strengthened in January as emergency departments managed winter-related patient spikes. February trends show a little downward trend stablizing the January spike.
ICU RN
- Mar: $62.20
- 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
Trend: ICU RN compensation stabilized entering 2026 with strong January demand. February data shows hospitals are prioritizing critical care staffing amid high-acuity winter cases.
Labor & Delivery (L&D) RN
- Mar: $64.75
- 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
Trend: L&D RN salaries remained among the highest-paying specialties entering 2026. February data shows a little downward trend but L&D is one of the highest-paying specialties and has a promising year ahead.
Med Surg RN
- Mar: $60.17
- 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
Trend: Med Surg RN salaries began stabilizing in January following late-year pressure. February figures show rising patient volumes push hospitals to increase compensation for this high-demand specialty.
OR RN (Operating Room)
- Mar: $64.37
- 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
Trend: OR RN salary trends surged in January as elective procedures resumed at full capacity. February shows a little downward trend showing a slight correction in the figures.
PCU RN (Progressive Care Unit)
- Mar: $62.09
- 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
Trend: PCU RN salaries recovered modestly entering 2026 after late-year declines. February data confirms that this stabilization continues as step-down units manage higher patient turnover.
Physical Therapist
- Mar: $63.90
- 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
Trend: Physical Therapist salaries strengthened toward the end of 2025 and remained stable entering 2026. February figures show a slight correction but the outpatient and rehabilitation demand continues to support higher pay levels.
TeleHealth RN
- Mar: $58.84
- 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
Trend: TeleHealth RN salaries showed strong growth entering 2026 as virtual care services expanded. February trends are a little downwards but healthcare systems continue investing in remote care staffing models, making Telehealth a promising specialty for 2026.
Conclusion
February represents another important checkpoint in the 2026 RN salary trends cycle. As hospitals continue managing winter demand, contract renewals, and staffing adjustments, February salary trends will help shape expectations for the months ahead. From strong demand in ICU and ER roles to continued opportunities across OR, Med Surg, and TeleHealth specialties, the February Money Story gives travel nurses a clear view of where earning potential is growing across the healthcare market.
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