Welcome to the January 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 understand how compensation is shifting as the new year begins and peak winter staffing demand continues.
January plays a critical role in setting the tone for the year ahead. Following year-end budget resets, winter patient surges, and contract renewals, this month’s salary movements reveal where hospitals are investing, stabilizing, or adjusting pay strategies as 2026 unfolds.
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Acute Care RN
- Feb: $53.87
- 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
Trend: Acute Care RN salaries softened toward the end of 2025 as hospitals finalized budgets. January data indicate that facilities are recalibrating pay to manage winter admissions and longer inpatient stays moving into early 2026.
ER RN
- Feb: $63.90
- 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
Trend: ER RN salaries rebounded slightly in December as emergency departments prepared for seasonal volume spikes. The January trend confirms that this upward pressure continues as winter emergencies and staffing gaps persist.
ICU RN
- Feb: $61.99
- 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
Trend: ICU RN pay stabilized toward the end of 2025 after earlier volatility. January data shows an upward trend signalling how hospitals prioritize critical-care staffing as winter surges and high-acuity cases continue.
Labor & Delivery (L&D) RN
- Feb: $66.16
- 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
Trend: L&D RN salaries remained among the highest across all specialties through the end of 2025. January figures show a slight correction, but still L&D has a promising year ahead as it is one of the most paying specailty.
Med Surg RN
- Feb: $60.37
- 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
Trend: Med Surg RN salaries experienced pressure throughout late 2025. The January data show an upward trend, with hospitals balancing cost control against rising patient volumes at the start of the year.
OR RN (Operating Room)
- Feb: $64.54
- 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
Trend: OR RN salaries showed renewed strength in December as elective procedures resumed and backlogs cleared. January’s upward trend reveals this momentum carries into early 2026 scheduling cycles.
PCU RN (Progressive Care Unit)
- Feb: $62.09
- 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
Trend: After bottoming out in October, PCU RN salaries showed signs of stabilization through year-end. January data shows that the demand strengthens as hospitals manage step-down care during winter surges.
Physical Therapist
- Feb: $64.07
- 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
Trend: PT salaries rebounded strongly in late 2025 following months of decline. January trends show stabilization and a promising year ahead.
TeleHealth RN
- Feb: $58.61
- 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
Trend: TeleHealth RN salaries closed 2025 on a strong upward note. January data will clarify whether virtual care demand maintains momentum as healthcare systems expand hybrid care models in 2026.
Conclusion
January marks the opening chapter of the 2026 RN salary trends. As healthcare systems reset budgets, manage sustained winter demand, and lock in early-year staffing strategies, January RN salary trends will shape expectations for the months ahead.
From the continued strength of ICU and L&D roles to evolving dynamics in ER, Med Surg, and TeleHealth, the January Money Story offers travel nurses a clear view of where opportunity and earning potential are emerging as the new year begins.
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