Looking for your next travel nursing adventure? Finding a travel nursing assignment can be overwhelming, but here is the good news! We have the list of the top 10 travel nursing destinations that every nurse dreams of. According to staffing reports, the demand for travel nursing is increasing because of staff shortages and an aging population. In this blog, we will discuss the locations where travel nurses are needed the most and also the top 10 cities for travel nurses in 2025.
Top 10 Travel Nursing Destinations in 2025
You are done with your boring nursing job and ready to level up your career with travel nursing. Whether you are a seasoned travel nurse or new to travel nursing, you must be wondering where you should go for your travel nursing assignment. Well, here we have the list of top travel nursing cities that are calling out your name. Let’s discover the top hot picks for travel nurses in 2025.
New York City, NY
- There is a high demand for nurses, which means more job stability.
- Travel nurses in New York get the highest weekly pay, depending on their specialty, but they can make up $3500 to $4000 per week.
- Travel nurses choose New York because they have the opportunity to work in diverse settings that help them boost their careers.
- New York has the best nightlife and vibrant social and cultural opportunities.
Los Angeles, CA
- Competitive pay and high-demand specialties.
- Lifestyle perks include beaches, entertainment, diverse cuisine, and so much more.
- Diverse healthcare setting and opportunities for professional growth.
- Nurses’ specialties such as OR, ER, and ICU are in high demand, so more job stability.
- The cost of living is high, but it is compensated with housing stipends and other benefits, which is also one of the biggest reasons why travel nurses choose Los Angeles for their travel assignments.
Austin TX
Another popular destination for travel nurses is Austin, Texas. Some of the reasons why travel nurses choose Austin are:
- Travel nurses get competitive pay, bonuses, and stipends.
- The cost of living is low, as compared to other big cities.
- A diverse culture and city with a strong arts and tech community.
- High specificity demands such as ICU, L&D, med-surg, and ER.
- The weather is hot in the summer and mild in winter, with lots of sunshine, so if you are a nurse who prefers warm places, then Austin is where you should go.
- Austin offers a lot of festivals, BBQ, and a vibrant lifestyle.
Kansas City, MO
- Another travel destination that travel nurses go to is Kansas City.
- The cost of living is low and is budget-friendly, which helps them stretch their paycheck.
- It is also the hub for top health care facilities such as University Health, Saint Luke’s, and Children’s Mercy Hospital.
- This place is great for travel nurses to gain experience that can help boost their resume and advance their career.
- Kansas is famous for jazz, BBQ, and sports, which are best for nurses to enjoy after their shift.
- Kansas is the city of four distinct seasons, a growing arts community, a lively downtown, etc.
Houston, TX
- Another place where travel nurses are needed the most is Houston, TX, because it is the fourth-largest city in the US and a top destination for travel nurses to go.
- Travel nurses get high pay, benefits, bonuses, and stipends that help them save more.
- Affordable city as compared to many other cities, such as LA or NY.
- Houston has one of the largest medical complexes in the world, such as the Texas Medical Center.
- Nurses work with a diverse patient population that helps them grow professionally.
- Houston offers cultural festivals, great dining, sports, and growing art, which is an attraction for travel nurses.
San Francisco, CA
- Travel nurses’ top destination also includes San Francisco, CA, where travel nurses are in the highest demand.
- Travel nurses get access and an opportunity to work in world-class hospitals, such as UCSF Medical Center and California Pacific Medical Center.
- High-demand specialists, such as ER, OR, and ICU, offer great job stability.
- San Francisco offers highly competitive pay, as the cost of living is a bit higher.
- The great weather of San Francisco attracts travel nurses who prefer moderate weather.
- A city with thriving arts, music, and food, which is an attraction for travel nurses.
Seattle, WA
- Another travel nurse’s top destination for travel nursing assignments is Seattle, WA.
- Seattle offers high pay, bonuses, housing stipends, and more.
- Travel nurses work with complex cases and high technology, which helps them grow professionally.
- Vibrant art, music, and tech communities are other attractions for travel nurses to get assignments here.
- Ideal places for a travel nurse who enjoys an urban lifestyle.
- High pay, benefits, housing stipends, and so much more.
Denver, CO
- Denver travel assignments offer high pay, relocation support, housing stipends, and other benefits that make nurses go there for their travel nursing contracts.
- Some specialties are in high demand, such as med-surg, labor and delivery, ER, and OR.
- Travel nurses get access to top hospitals, offering them diverse clinical experience.
- Nurses get an opportunity to work in both suburban and urban hospital settings, which helps them grow professionally.
- Nurses can enjoy the four seasons, mountain escape on weekends, and great food.
Tampa Bay, FL
- Tempa is another top destination for nurses because of pay, travel reimbursements, and other benefits that they can get with their contracts.
- The cost of living is a little high, but still more affordable than in other cities such as Miami.
- There is a high demand for travel nurses and specialists, such as med-surg, OR, and ICU.
- Travel nurses get an opportunity to work in top hospitals such as Tampa General Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center, and Advent Health Tampa, which help them grow professionally.
- Tempa offers beautiful beaches, food, music, and a diverse culture that travel nurses can enjoy after their shift.
- The weather in Tampa is hot in summer, with rain and mild winters, perfect for nurses who do not like cold cities.
Minneapolis, MN
- Minneapolis is another top 10 destination that nurses want to go to because of the competitive pay and benefits it offers.
- The main attractions for travel nurses include parks, lakes, biking trails, good food, music, and art that nurses can enjoy after their shift.
- Minneapolis has snowy winters, warm summers, and beautiful spring and fall seasons for travel nurses to enjoy.
- It is a place of a lot of healthcare opportunities for travel nurses to gain experience and grow professionally.
- It gives a mix of both urban and suburban living.
What are the top 10 states with the largest shortages of nurses in 2025?
In 2025, several states are facing shortages due to an aging population, retiring nurses, and nurses leaving bedside jobs due to burnout. The top 10 states that are facing nursing shortages are as follows:
- California
- Texas
- Florida
- New York
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- Oregon
What are the key reasons for nurse shortages?
Some of the main reasons for nursing shortages are:
- An aging workforce, as nurses are retiring after the age of 50.
- Nursing requires a lot of mental and physical stamina, unpredictable work hours, and 12-hour shifts that result in burnout and stress.
- Educational barriers such as limited capacity in nursing programs are also another reason why there is a shortage of nurses.
Give the list of the top states of travel nursing in 2025?
- Washington
- New York
- Massachusetts
- District of Columbia
- Alaska
- Oregon
- North Dakota
- Alaska
- Vermont
- Colorado
- Hawaii
Conclusion
From bustling cities like New York to vibrant cities like Houston, travel nursing offers great opportunities to nurses. The demand for travel nursing is increasing in 2025 because of the aging population, increased retirement rates etc. Travel nursing is now becoming a great career option for nurses that offers adventure, high pay, professional growth, etc. The top destinations for travel nurses to go to are New York, Texas, California etc. If you are a travel nurse or a new nurse with 2 years of experience, then join SkillGigs and become part of our travel nursing world.
