Travel Nurse Salary by State & Across the US: How Much Do Travel Nurses Make in 2026?

Travel nurses represent a profession that suits those who enjoy combining work and leisure. They work at healthcare facilities facing staffing shortages for a set period, helping mitigate the national nursing shortage. These assignments usually last from 4 to 13 weeks, during which most travel nurses perform tasks similar to those of a regular RN.

The travel nurse profession is one of the most sought-after nursing careers, not only because of the chance to travel the world but also because of the competitive wages it offers.

If you’re interested in becoming a travel nurse, you need to either earn an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which might soon become the norm for registered nurses in many states.

Explore the academic programs offered by Nightingale College and start your journey to becoming a travel nurse! 

Quick Facts About the Travel Nurse Salary

• The average annual travel nurse salary in the United States is $101,132, or approximately $48.62 per hour, according to the latest data. The current estimated travel nurse practitioner salary is $130,295 per year or $62.64
• The five locations with the highest unadjusted annual travel nurse salary estimates are Washington ($114,542), the District of Columbia ($114,282), New York ($110,642), Massachusetts ($110,449), and Alaska ($108,913).
• Travel nurse salaries can have considerably different purchasing power depending on location. The difference between unadjusted and cost-of-living-adjusted estimates averages approximately $11,257 per year, ranging from about $525 in Florida to $48,215 in Hawaii.
• Travel nurses generally earn more than regular staff nurses; however, earning differentials vary across states, specializations, and work settings.
• Travel nursing contracts typically include various levels of base pay and benefits, such as paid housing and reimbursement of travel expenses.

The Average Travel Nurse Salary in the US (2026)

In 2026, ZipRecruiter reported that the average annual pay for a travel nurse in the United States is $101,132, with a monthly wage of $8,427 and an hourly wage of $48.62. However, calculating travel nurses' annual salary can be complicated and should be scrutinized, given the nature of the work, irregular schedule, and possible downtime.

The travel nurse salary you may expect will vary depending on the percentile you find yourself in, with top earners in the field taking home around $59,000 more than travel nurses in the bottom percentile.   

Here is a breakdown of the expected traveling nurse salary based on performance percentiles:

A travel nurse’s salary will also be affected by the place of employment and the state in which they reside and work. Next, we will examine salary variation for travel nurses across the 50 U.S. states.

Lowest and Highest Travel Nurse Salary Estimates Per State in 2026

The highest-paying state for travel nurses is Washington, with an annual salary of $114,542 and an hourly wage of $55.07, which is $13,410 above 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.

Here are the top 10 highest-paying states for travel nurses:

1. Washington – $114,542 annually, $55.07 hourly
2. District of Columbia – $114,282 annually, $54.94 hourly
3. New York – $110,642 annually, $53.19 hourly
4. Massachusetts – $110,449 annually, $53.10 hourly
5. Alaska – $108,913 annually, $52.36 hourly
6. Vermont – $107,529 annually, $51.70 hourly
7. North Dakota – $107,006 annually, $51.45 hourly
8. Oregon – $106,925 annually, $51.41 hourly
9. Colorado – $106,342 annually, $51.13 hourly
10. Hawaii – $105,072 annually, $50.52 hourly

Highest Travel Nurse Salary by State, Adjusted to the Cost of Living

Despite a traveling nurse's net salary, states and regions have different expenses for accommodation, transportation, and groceries, among other factors. Thus, your earning potential as a travel RN does not directly equate to purchasing power.

The differences between net earnings and salaries adjusted for the cost of living for travel nurses average $10,901 across all states, with the maximum difference being in Hawaii, where the adjusted salary is $48,854 lower than net earnings, and the minimum being in Virginia, where the adjusted salary is $697 lower than net earnings.

When adjusting the travel nurse salaries for the cost of living for each US state, the order of best-paying states changes, with North Dakota having the highest adjusted annual salary for traveling nurses – $116,437. Next is South Dakota, with a yearly wage of $109,688, followed by Mississippi, with $108,964, Oklahoma, with $108,960, and Missouri, with $94,862, according to adjusted wage estimates.

Here are the first 10 states ordered by adjusted annual salary:

1. North Dakota – $116,437 annually
2. South Dakota – $109,688 annually
3. Mississippi – $108,964 annually
4. Oklahoma – $108,960 annually
5. Missouri – $106,947 annually
6. Pennsylvania – $106,598 annually
7. Indiana – $106,335 annually
8. Iowa – $105,897 annually
9. Wisconsin – $105,235 annually
10. New Mexico – $105,042 annually

States with the Lowest Travel Nurse Salary (Net and Adjusted)

At the other end of the list, Florida has a travel nurse salary of $75,575 per year (corresponding to a $36.33 hourly wage), making it the lowest-paying state in America. West Virginia ranks second-worst in average travel nurse salary, with an estimated annual salary of $78,293 and an hourly wage of $37.64. Following West Virginia is Arkansas, which has an average yearly salary of $83,626 and an hourly wage of $40.20.

The 10 states with the lowest net annual salaries for travel nurses are:

1. Florida – $75,575 annually, $36.33 hourly
2. West Virginia – $78,293 annually, $37.64 hourly
3. Arkansas – $83,626 annually, $40.20 hourly
4. Georgia – $85,394 annually, $41.05 hourly
5. Louisiana – $86,480 annually, $41.58 hourly
6. Kentucky – $87,836 annually, $42.23 hourly
7. Michigan – $88,146 annually, $42.38 hourly
8. Kansas – $90,194 annually, $43.36 hourly
9. Alabama – $91,665 annually, $44.07 hourly
10. Tennessee – $91,789 annually, $44.13 hourly

When controlling for the cost of living in each US state, the list of the lowest-paying states slightly changes:

1. Hawaii – $56,218 annually 
2. California – $68,928 annually
3. Florida – $73,517 annually
4. Massachusetts – $75,702 annually
5. District of Columbia – $80,537 annually
6. Arizona – $84,524 annually
7. Maryland – $85,128 annually
8. Connecticut – $85,668 annually
9. New Hampshire – $87,346 annually
10. Maine – $87,347 annually

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make By State? 2026 Updated Estimates

Below, you can consult a table containing travel nurse salary estimates for all US states, including values adjusted for the cost of living:

*Data was sourced from ZipRecruiter on September 1st, 2026.

If you’re interested in the average annual income for all nursing career specialties, check out our nurse salaries in the US study and find out which are the best states for working nurses from a financial point of view.

Travel Nurse Salary Data: Net vs. Real Earnings

One thing to keep in mind is that reported net revenue is not always reflective of the spending power of the earner. Thus, depending on the state in which you reside and practice, your earnings as a travel nurse may be worth more or less than the estimated average.

Below, you can find a comparison table for the net travel nurse pay and the salary adjusted to the cost of living for each state:

Travel Nurse Pay vs. Staff Nurse Salary

Compared to the latest median registered nurse salary estimate ($97,550 per year) published by BLS portals, travel nurses earn, on average, $3,582 more per year than staff nurses. However, the annual wage estimate for travel nurses naturally depends on placement, accommodation expenses, and, also crucially, the location of practice.

For instance, the greatest difference between travel nurses and staff nurses in terms of pay is found in California, where traveling nurses actually make $50,472 less per year than staff RNs, being the highest negative earnings differential between travel nurse vs. staff nurse salaries. 

Comparatively, travel nurses in South Dakota and North Dakota make on average $23,992 and $23,406 more per year than staff nurses, these being the two highest positive earnings differentials for travel nurses.

Below, you can consult a table comparing travel nurse salaries with staff nurse salaries across US states:

Adequate staffing at the state, as well as at the work setting levels can have considerable impacts on the earning potential of travel nurses. You can find out more about current and projected staffing trends in our nursing shortage report.

What Are the Highest Travel Nursing Jobs in 2026?

According to ZipRecruiter, the jobs with the highest travel nurse salaries are held by NICU and PACU travel nurses, with annual salaries reaching $154,500 and $147,500, respectively. At the other end of the spectrum, the salary for a visiting nurse ranges from $70,000 to $105,500 per year, being the lowest in the industry.

Here is an overview of the travel nurse salary ranges based on the specialization and role they occupy:

Discover the highest-paying travel nursing jobs in the US and find the best career choice for you.

What Is a Travel Nurse?

A travel nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who takes temporary assignments at healthcare facilities that need additional nursing staff, most often through a staffing agency. Travel nurses may work locally or across state lines, stepping in when hospitals and other healthcare facilities face staffing shortages, seasonal increases in demand, employee absences, or other short-term needs.

Travel nursing assignments typically have a predetermined duration, generally between 4 and 13 weeks, during which travel nurses perform many of the same clinical duties as permanent staff RNs.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) similarly defines a travel nurse as a nurse who works through a staffing agency rather than directly for a healthcare facility. Depending on their qualifications and available positions, travel nurses may take assignments locally, nationally, or even internationally.

Because they frequently change workplaces, travel nurses need to combine strong clinical skills with flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly to new teams, procedures, and patient populations.

What Do Travel Nurses Do?

Travel nurses perform the same core clinical duties as staff RNs, but on temporary assignments at healthcare facilities experiencing staffing needs. They assess and monitor patients, administer medications and treatments, coordinate care with other healthcare professionals, maintain patient records, and educate patients and families.

What distinguishes travel nurses is their need to adapt quickly to new workplaces, teams, and procedures while providing the same standard of patient care expected from permanent nursing staff.

How to Become a Travel Nurse

To become a travel nurse, you must first qualify and obtain licensure as a registered nurse. This generally means completing an approved nursing program leading to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN/ASN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), passing the NCLEX-RN, and meeting your state’s RN licensure requirements.

However, becoming licensed does not necessarily mean you can immediately begin traveling. Most staffing agencies require previous clinical experience and recommends expecting to spend at least two years working as an RN before applying for travel nursing positions. Certain assignments may also require specialty-specific certifications.

You will also need authorization to practice wherever your assignment is located. Nurses eligible for a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) multistate license can currently practice across participating jurisdictions without obtaining a separate license for each one. The NLC currently includes 43 jurisdictions; assignments outside the compact may require an additional single-state license.

If you want to take the first step toward becoming a travel nurse, enroll in the BSN Program at Nightingale College — an accessible blended distance learning option that combines online instruction with in-person practical experiences, in order to deliver high-quality nursing education and prepare you for licensure within just 3 years.

Is the Travel Nurse Salary Good?

If you are comparing travel nurse pay with estimated salaries of staff nurses, the answer to this question is generally yes, with travel nurses usually earning more and having greater opportunities for advancement than staff RNs. Since both job positions have similar academic requirements, you can simply earn a lot more with the same degree.

The downsides to a higher travel nurse salary include a lack of flexibility in working hours, reduced job security, varying pay, and limited access to paid leave, as well as other benefits associated with a stable nursing staff position. The choice between these options will depend on your priorities and ability to adapt to a more dynamic work environment.

Is the Travel Nurse Salary Better Than for Other Nursing Staff?

As mentioned, the average early travel nurse salary is $3,582 higher than that of registered nursing staff, a difference equivalent to $1.68 more per hour. Conversely, the travel nurse salary is, on average, $31,168 lower than the salary of nurse practitioners. However, when comparing the reported travel nurse practitioner salary ($130,295 per year) to nurse practitioner salaries, the earnings differential reduces to only $2,005.

Thus, travel nurses and nursing professionals, generally have either higher or equivalent earning potential to their staff counterparts.

Discover the highest-paid travel nursing jobs and specializations.

The first step to increase your earning potential is to start your nursing education. With Nightingale College, you can complete the education necessary to become a travel nurse in the most flexible and accessible way with our hybrid or online academic programs. 

Enroll in one of the academic programs at Nightingale College to advance your career and increase your earning potential!

Travel Nurse Salary FAQs

How Much Does a Travel Nurse Make a Year?

On average, travel nurses in the U.S. earn $101,132 per year. However, salaries vary by performance and location, with the bottom 25% making around $73,500 annually, the top 75% around $122,500, and the top 90% up to $132,500. Additionally, travel nurse salary estimates differ from one state to another, with values ranging from $75,575 per year (Florida) to $114,542 per year (Washington).

How Much Does a Travel Nurse Make a Month?

The national average monthly pay for travel nurses is approximately $8,427, with notable variations in performance and location.

How Much Does a Travel Nurse Make an Hour?

On average, travel nurses make $48.62 per hour. Hourly wages range based on performance, from approximately $35/hour at the 25th percentile to $64/hour for top earners in the 90th percentile, and location, from roughly $36/hour in Florida to $55/hour in Washington, based on state-level salary averages.

How Long Do You Have to Go to School to Be a Travel Nurse?

If you pursue the ADN/ASN route, it typically takes 2–3 years to complete. If you pursue a BSN, it typically takes 4 years of undergraduate study, with options like Nightingale College’s BSN Program being completable in under 3 years. After graduation and passing the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, you can begin working and eventually qualify for travel nurse assignments.

Find out more about how long it takes to complete nursing school.

What Degree Do You Need to Become a Travel Nurse?

To become a travel nurse, you must first become a Registered Nurse (RN), which requires either:

• An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), or a similar degree;
  
  
• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), with BSNs becoming increasingly common and even required in many states.

If you want to quickly and efficiently advance your education and start a career in travel nursing, enroll in the BSN Program at Nightingale College. This hybrid learning option combines online instruction with supervised on-ground field experience in one of our SOFE areas.

Alternatively, if you are already working as a licensed practical nurse, you can choose the LPN-to-ASN Bridge Program to advance your education and career, as well as increase your earning potential. 

Enroll in your academic program of choice and achieve the career you desire!