How much do travel nurses make in 2026?

Richard Shelton

Resume writing expert.

Travel nurses are like management consultants you find in corporate offices, — folks with high pay, flexibility, and adventure who work in different facilities across the U.S. But how much do travel nurses make, really? Below we break down travel nurse salaries, pay by specialty, what affects earnings, and how you can present your experience on a travel nurse resume to land your next contract.

What Is the Average Travel Nurse Salary in 2025-2026?

National Averages

• Most travel nurses can expect around $45-$60 per hour, though specialty roles often pay more.
• Travel nurse salary (weekly): ~ $2,148/week on average.
• Annual pay: Around $101,000+ per year (~ $48/hr).
• Yearly salaries commonly range from roughly $90,000 up to $130,000+ for typical contracts.

On an average, travel nurses frequently earn 16% or more than standard staff nurses in the United States, depending on demand, location, and contract length.

What Influences How Much Travel Nurses Make a Year?

Experience, location and speciality makes all the difference. Let’s be honest here, a new graduate nurse cannot expect to earn similar to a 10 years + experienced nurse. Some specialties could fetch more salary depending upon the technical skills and complexity required in the assignment. More on it below. Along with experience and specialty, Location Matters. As in the US, taxation and cost of living is different in different states and cities, the pay is also decided accordingly. For example:

• California, New York, and Alaska are among the top-paying regions for travel nurses.
• Lower cost-of-living states like Florida usually offer lower base salaries but may have bonus stipends available.

Specialty Makes a Big Difference

As discussed earlier, some specialties command significantly higher pay. Let’s dig deeper into this:

• ICU travel nurse salary can average over $143,000 per year and up to $180,000+ depending on experience.
• OR (Operating Room) travel roles sometimes exceed $180,000-$280,000/year in top markets.
• Specialized fields like NICU travel nurse salary or pediatric travel nurse salary also trend above general med-surg pay — especially in high-demand areas.

Stipends & Benefits

Most travel nurse contracts include:

• Tax-free housing stipends
• Meal allowances
• Travel reimbursement

Compensation should not be limited to in hand salary, especially with jobs like travel nurses. Where the nurse is travelling, staying at hotels and commuting in a new city daily.
A wholesome benefits and curated stipends reflects care and understanding towards nurses who are travelling to a dedicated project.

Lowest and Highest Travel Nurse Salary Estimates Per State in 2025

The highest-paying state for travel nurses is Washington, with an annual salary of $114,542 and an hourly wage of $55.07, which amounts to $13,410 over the national average travel nurse salary in the US. Washington is followed by the District of Columbia, with an average travel nurse salary of $114,282 per year or $54.94 per hour, and New York, with a salary of $110,642 per year or $53.19 per hour.

Highest Travel Nurse Salary by State in the USA

• Washington -$106,111 annually, $51.01 hourly
• District of Columbia - $108,335 annually, $52.08 hourly
• New York - $108,135 annually, $51.99 hourly
• Massachusetts - $104,121 annually, $50 hourly
• Alaska - $114,651 annually, $55.12 hourly
• Vermont - $92,614 annually, $44.53 hourly
• North Dakota - $102,006 annually, $49.06 hourly
• Oregon - $102,032 annually, $49.05 hourly
• Colorado - $96,900 annually, $46.59 hourly
• Hawaii - $105,072 annually, $51.08 hourly

Lowest Travel Nurse Salary by State in the USA

• Louisiana - $76,981 annually, $37.01 hourly
• West Virginia - $86,268 annually, $41.48 hourly
• Arkansas - $83,884annually,$40.33 hourly
• Georgia - $80,399 annually, $38.65 hourly
• Delaware- $82,595 annually, $39.71 hourly
• Kentucky - $86,366 annually, $41.52 hourly
• Michigan - $88,410 annually, $42.50 hourly
• Kentucky - $86,366 annually, $41.52hourly

Travel Nurse Job Description

A travel nurse job description clearly states about the assignment, such as duration, location, facility type and any special skill required. Travel contracts typically last 8-13 weeks, though extensions are common. Few key points are always highlighted in the job description, such as required qualification, key responsibilities, work setting and others. Let’s dig deeper in each section -

Key Responsibilities of a Travel Nurse

Patient Care & Clinical Duties

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care
• Administer medications and treatments per physician orders
• Monitor vital signs and document patient progress
• Operate medical equipment and EMR systems
• Provide patient and family education

Adaptability & Team Collaboration

• Quickly integrate into new healthcare teams
• Follow facility-specific policies and procedures
• Maintain high standards of care with minimal onboarding
• Communicate effectively with interdisciplinary teams

Compliance & Professional Standards

• Maintain active RN license (often multi-state compact)
• Follow HIPAA and patient privacy regulations
• Adhere to state nursing standards and safety protocols

Work Settings

• ICU (Intensive Care Unit)
• ER (Emergency Room)
• Med-Surg
• NICU
• Labor & Delivery
• Operating Room
• Telemetry

Required Qualifications

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license
• 1-2 years of recent bedside clinical experience (specialty-specific)
• BLS certification (required)
• ACLS, PALS, or specialty certifications (often required depending on unit)
• Strong clinical judgment and critical thinking skills

Skills Employers Look For

• Rapid adaptability
• Strong assessment skills
• Time management
• EMR proficiency
• Clear communication
• Ability to perform under pressure

What Makes Travel Nursing Different?

• Adapt quickly to new workflows
• Learn new charting systems fast
• Deliver consistent care without long orientation periods
• Build rapport rapidly with rotating teams

Job description example:

We are seeking dedicated and compassionate Travel Nurses to provide high-quality patient care at healthcare facilities across the country. Travel Nurses work short-term assignments to support hospitals and clinics experiencing staffing shortages, gaining diverse clinical experience while enjoying flexibility and competitive compensation.

• Provide direct patient care in accordance with facility policies and nursing standards
• Assess patient conditions and document medical histories and symptoms
• Administer medications, treatments, and therapies as prescribed
• Collaborate with physicians and healthcare teams to develop and implement care plans
• Monitor patient progress and report changes in condition
• Educate patients and families on treatment plans and post-care instructions
• Ensure compliance with safety, infection control, and regulatory standards
• Adapt quickly to new clinical environments and workflows

• Active RN license (compact license preferred, or willingness to obtain)
• Minimum of 1-2 years recent clinical experience in assigned specialty
• BLS certification required (ACLS, PALS, or specialty certifications as applicable)
• Strong clinical judgment, flexibility, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and in fast-paced environments

Crafting the Perfect Travel Nurse Resume

If you’re pursuing travel nurse roles, your travel nursing resume matters just as much as your clinical skills. Agencies and hospitals review hundreds of resumes — so yours must stand out.

Best Practices for Travel Nurse Resumes

• Licenses & certifications
• List of travel assignments
• Specialty units (ICU, ER, Med-Surg, NICU, pediatrics)
• Agency and facility names
• Clinical skills and EHR proficiencies
• Clear, ATS-friendly bullets with measurable achievements

Resume Templates & Examples

You can boost your chances of earning an interview with our travel nurse resume templates

Experienced Travel Nurse Resume Template

Best template for experienced travel nurses with 10+ years of experience.

Use this template

Best Traveling Nurse Resume

Best template for travel nurses with 2-5 years of experience.

Use this template

Travel Nurse Resume Template for Mid-level Travel Nurses

Best template for travel nurses with 5-10 years years of experience.

Use this template

Traveling Nurse Resume Template for Online Applications

Best template for applying online traveling nurse jobs.

Use this template

FAQ

Q1: How does travel nursing work?

Travel nursing works through short-term contracts (typically 8-13 weeks) where registered nurses fill temporary staffing shortages in hospitals, clinics, or specialty units. Nurses apply through staffing agencies that coordinate contracts, housing stipends, pay packages, and credentialing. Once hired, the nurse relocates temporarily and begins working in the assigned unit — often ICU, ER, or Med-Surg — with minimal onboarding.

Q2: How to find travel nursing jobs?

• Make a custom resume for a travel nursing job. For example, use a travel nurse resume med surg format for Med-Surg roles, an er travel nurse resume sample when for emergency departments.
• Reach out to travel nurse staffing agencies
• Apply jobs through online healthcare job boards
• Regularly check specialty platforms like Vivian and BluePipes
• Direct hospital contracts

• 1-2 years of bedside experience
• Active RN license (Compact state preferred)
• Specialty certifications (BLS, ACLS, PALS, etc.)

Q3: Travel nursing housing?

• Agency-Provided Housing - The agency arranges furnished accommodations near the facility.
• Housing Stipend - A tax-free stipend that allows you to find your own housing (often more profitable if managed wisely).

Many nurses prefer stipends because they can save money or choose preferred living arrangements. Regardless of housing choice, always update your resume for travel nurse roles to reflect flexibility and mobility. A strong sample travel nurse resume should highlight your ability to relocate, adapt quickly, and maintain performance in changing environments.

Q4: International travel nursing?

International travel nursinginvolves working temporary assignments outside your home country. Popular destinations include:

• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia)

• Credential evaluation
• Local licensing exams
• Visa sponsorship
• Additional certifications

When applying internationally, use a professional travel nurse resume example that emphasizes clinical competence, cross-cultural communication, and adaptability. Many agencies prefer detailed travel nurse resume examples that clearly show unit experience, patient ratios, and equipment familiarity.

Q5: LPN travel nursing jobs?

LPN travel nursing jobs exist — though they are less common than RN travel roles. LPN travel assignments are frequently available in:

• Long-term care
• Rehabilitation facilities
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Home health

Pay is typically lower than RN contracts but still higher than permanent staff LPN roles. To secure LPN travel roles, use a targeted travel nurse resume template that highlights scope of practice, patient care skills, and flexibility. If applying for acute care, create a specialty-focused travel nurse resume med surg style layout that aligns with the job description.