Kim Lee | October 11th, 2023
If you’re a registered nurse (RN) with a passion for travel, you may be considering a career as a travel nurse. Travel nurses are in high demand, and they can earn very competitive salaries. In fact, the average annual salary for travel nurses is significantly higher than the average salary for RNs overall.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about travel nurse annual salaries, including the factors that affect pay, the highest-paying states and specialties, and tips for maximizing your earnings.
What is a travel nurse?
A travel nurse is an RN who works on a short-term basis at healthcare facilities across the country. Travel nurses are often hired to fill staffing shortages or to provide specialized care.
How much do travel nurses make?
According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for travel nurses in the US is $105,021 as of October 2023. However, travel nurse salaries can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including:
- Location: Travel nurses who work in high-demand areas, such as California and Hawaii, typically earn higher salaries.
- Specialty: Travel nurses who specialize in high-demand areas, such as critical care and emergency nursing, also tend to earn higher salaries.
- Experience: Travel nurses with more experience typically earn higher salaries than those with less experience.
What are the highest-paying states for travel nurses?
The highest-paying states for travel nurses are:
- California
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
- Oregon
- Alaska
What are the highest-paying specialties for travel nurses?
The highest-paying specialties for travel nurses are:
- Intensive care unit (ICU) nursing
- Emergency room (ER) nursing
- Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Operating room (OR) nursing
Tips for maximizing your travel nurse earnings
Here are a few tips for maximizing your travel nurse earnings:
- Negotiate your salary: Don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary with your travel nurse agency. Travel nurses are in high demand, so you have the power to negotiate a competitive salary.
- Choose a high-paying state or specialty: As mentioned above, travel nurses who work in high-demand areas and specialties typically earn higher salaries.
- Take on extra shifts: If you’re willing to work extra shifts, you can significantly boost your earnings.
- Get experience: The more experience you have, the higher your salary will be.
Conclusion
If you’re a registered nurse with a passion for travel, a career as a travel nurse may be the perfect fit for you. Travel nurses earn very competitive salaries, and they have the opportunity to travel all over the country.
If you aren’t already heading to your next assignment, let’s chat! 😊
Email [email protected] to get connected with a recruiter!
Apply Here to get started today!