According to Indeed.com, the average salary of a traveling nurse is $2,000 per week. Some nurses make as much as $45 an hour, while others make less than $30 per hour.
The average salary is around $20 an hour, which can go up to $30 per hour if you are in high demand.
We all know that traveling nurses are a dime a dozen, but how much do they make?
Well, it turns out the answer is a LOT. But what's even more interesting is the way that their salaries vary depending on the region and their specialty.
We've compiled all of this information for you in one place: our comprehensive guide to how much a traveling nurse makes!
So sit back, relax, and read on!
What is a traveling nurse?
Traveling nurses are registered nurses who work in different locations over a period of time.
They provide short-term coverage for hospitals that need extra help during busy times or when staff members are unavailable.
Unlike locum tenens physicians, who typically work on an assignment basis, traveling nurses typically work under contracts with specific facilities and provide long-term coverage.
How to Become a Travel Nurse?
Becoming a travel nurse can be one of the best decisions you ever make, but it’s not an easy process.
To become a travel nurse, you need to be prepared to take care of yourself and others, be flexible and adaptable and have thick skin.
You must first have your RN license, which means you have completed your BSN or diploma degree program and passed the NCLEX licensing exam.
This is the most common requirement for all nurses. Once you've earned your degree, it may take some time before you find an employer who will hire you as a travel nurse.
In most cases, employers prefer to hire nurses with at least one year of experience in the field because they know that these nurses are not only qualified but reliable too!
How Much Does a Traveling Nurse Make?
According to Indeed.com, the average salary of a traveling nurse is $2,000 per week.
When you include the company-paid housing accommodations and travel expenses, this figure can easily top $5,000 per week.
However, these numbers vary based on your location and the type of assignment you take on.
Some nurses make as much as $45 an hour, while others make less than $30 per hour.
The average salary is around $20 an hour, which can go up to $30 per hour if you are in high demand.
The majority of nurses work full-time hours, and they typically work 36 hours per week or more.
The top Paying States For Travel Nurses
Here’s a quick breakdown of the average travel nurse salary by state:
How Much Experience Do I Need to Become a Traveling Nurse?
In order to be eligible for a travel nursing job, you’ll need at least one year of experience as a registered nurse (RN).
However, experience is only part of the equation. You also need to pass a background check and drug test — no exceptions.
And if you want to work in high-risk areas like pediatrics or surgery, then you must be able to pass an additional physical exam that will determine whether or not your body is able to handle the rigors of working in that environment.
What are the Travel Nursing Requirements?
- The first thing you need to do is make sure you have a license to practice nursing.
- The second thing you need to do is make sure that your state board of nursing has registered you as an RN (Registered Nurse).
- The last thing that needs to be done is make sure that your state board approves of the specialty in which you want to work.
If all three steps are successfully completed, then congratulations! You're ready for the world of travel nursing!
When you're hired by an agency, they will work with you to find an assignment that matches your skills, experience, and interests.
They'll help you with the travel arrangements—and if you need housing, they can set up temporary accommodations until you find a permanent place to stay.
They'll also ensure that the whole moving process goes smoothly so that when it's time for your first day on the job, there won't be any hassles or surprises.
Difference Between Travel Nursing And Normal Nursing
Travel nurses are temporary workers who take jobs with hospitals or other healthcare facilities for a set period of time. On the other hand, registered nurses have a permanent position in the hospital.
Travel nurses do not work for one specific place; instead, they move from job to job as needed—often working in multiple states or even countries.
This aspect makes travel nursing different from traditional nursing professions such as nurse practitioners (NPs), registered nurses (RNS) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
Factors That Impact Your Pay as a Traveling Nurse
Here are the factors that impact your pay as a travel nurse:
1. Location
The first thing to consider when it comes to how much you can make as a travel nurse is location.
The more remote the area where you’re working, the less you can expect to make — but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it.
If you’re looking for a job in a rural location that has few jobs available, you may not be able to find one at all without traveling.
2. Experience level
Another factor that impacts how much you can earn as a travel nurse is your experience level.
As with any other job, the more experienced you are, the more money you can expect to make, and vice versa.
You may start out making less than $20 an hour. Still, with time and experience, that number will increase significantly as long as your employer recognizes your skills and value to their company or facility.
3. Your Specialty
Your specialty matters a lot; it will impact how much money hospitals are willing to pay for certain types of nurses over others.
If they need more nurses in a specific area (like surgery), then they'll offer higher wages for those types of nurses.
4. The Type of Assignment
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities pay more for highly skilled nursing professionals who have specialized training or certifications.
How To Maximize Your Pay As A Traveling Nurse?
The travel nursing industry is booming. And, with good reason — a career as a travel nurse offers more opportunities, better pay, and an overall more rewarding experience than many other jobs in healthcare.
If you're considering becoming a travel nurse, here are some tips for maximizing your pay:
1. Work For the Highest Paying Agency
While agencies don't always advertise their rates, you should be able to find out from them what the average rate is for each hospital that they work with.
In order to get the highest pay possible, you should try to work at hospitals that have the highest-paying agencies.
2. Work Long Days
Some agencies pay more if you work 12-hour shifts instead of 8-hour shifts, so try to find assignments where this is an option.
If you're not sure what's available, ask your recruiter or manager at the beginning of your contract and see if they can find something for you!
3. Choose Your Location Wisely
The best way to make money as a travel nurse is by choosing a location that has high pay and a low cost of living.
If you live in a city like San Francisco or New York City and work in another city like Lubbock, Texas, or Prescott, Arizona, then your paycheck will be much bigger than it would be if you worked in the same city where you live.
4. Choose The Right Specialty
If you have any specialty certifications (like critical care or pediatrics), then use them when applying for jobs! This can increase your salary by up to 20%.
5. Know Your Worth
Before you start applying for jobs, take some time to research what other travel nurses are making in your area.
You can use websites like Glassdoor and Indeed to see salary ranges in your city or state.
6. Search Strategically
Once you know what the going rate is for travel nurse positions in your area, it's time to start searching for jobs that fit within those parameters.
Search sites like Indeed.com and Americanmobile.com will help keep you up-to-date with open positions around the country as they become available.
It's A Wrap!
The answer to the question, "How much does a traveling nurse make?" is: it depends.
It depends on what kind of traveling nurse you are and whether or not you have experience as one. It also depends on where and when.
If you're just starting out as a traveling nurse, you'll probably start with a lower salary than someone who's been doing it for years—and that's okay!
You can still make great money, and there are plenty of opportunities for advancement and growth if you stick with it.
But if you want to make the most money possible? Then do your research and find out exactly who is hiring in your area—and then go get 'em!
FAQs
What is the starting salary for a traveling nurse?
The starting salary for a traveling nurse depends on the area of travel and the type of job.
In general, you can expect to make anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 per year as a traveling nurse. The average salary is $65,000.
Do travel nurses make more money than doctors?
The answer is yes; travel nurses make more money than doctors.
In fact, according to a Singaporean newspaper, most travel nurses could earn an average of $8,000 per week on the road.
Is it worth being a travel nurse?
It depends.
If you are a traveler who wants to make an impact and develop your skills, then YES!
It is worth it! If you are looking for something temporary or just want to get through your training, then NO!
Travel nursing is not for everyone. There are many reasons why people choose to travel, but I believe the most important reason is because of the impact you can make on others.
Travelers get to see so much more than just one hospital or one city.
We get to share our knowledge with other nurses and learn from them as well. It's a win-win situation!
