Best States for Travel Nurses in 2025: Pay, Benefits & Quality of Life

Choosing the right state for your travel nursing assignment can significantly impact your earnings, taxes, and overall experience. Here’s our comprehensive guide to the best states for travel nurses in 2025.

Top 10 Highest Paying States

1. California

Average Hourly Rate: $55/hr
Average Annual: $114,400
Tax Rate: 13.3% (high)
Cost of Living: Very High (151.7)
Why: Highest pay rates, strong demand, great weather
Best Cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego

2. New York

Average Hourly Rate: $58/hr
Average Annual: $120,640
Tax Rate: 10.9% (high)
Cost of Living: Very High (139.1)
Why: High pay, world-class hospitals, diverse opportunities
Best Cities: New York City, Buffalo, Rochester

3. Massachusetts

Average Hourly Rate: $56/hr
Average Annual: $116,480
Tax Rate: 5.0% (moderate)
Cost of Living: Very High (146.5)
Why: Excellent hospitals, strong demand, good benefits
Best Cities: Boston, Worcester, Springfield

4. Washington

Average Hourly Rate: $56/hr
Average Annual: $116,480
Tax Rate: 0% (no state income tax!)
Cost of Living: High (118.7)
Why: No state income tax, high pay, beautiful state
Best Cities: Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma

5. Oregon

Average Hourly Rate: $54/hr
Average Annual: $112,320
Tax Rate: 9.9% (high)
Cost of Living: High (130.8)
Why: High pay, strong demand, great quality of life
Best Cities: Portland, Eugene, Salem

Best States for Tax Benefits

States with No Income Tax

Alaska - No state income tax, high pay
Florida - No state income tax, moderate cost of living
Nevada - No state income tax, good pay
South Dakota - No state income tax, low cost of living
Tennessee - No state income tax, growing market
Texas - No state income tax, large market
Washington - No state income tax, high pay
Wyoming - No state income tax, low cost of living

Tax Savings Example:

$100,000 taxable income
5% state tax = $5,000 saved
Over 10 years = $50,000 saved!

Best States for Cost of Living

Lowest Cost of Living States

Mississippi - Index: 83.3 (Very Low)
Arkansas - Index: 86.5 (Low)
Oklahoma - Index: 87.9 (Low)
Missouri - Index: 87.9 (Low)
Alabama - Index: 88.1 (Low)

Why It Matters:

Lower cost of living = more take-home pay
Your stipends go further
Better quality of life on same income

Best States for Quality of Life

Factors to Consider:

Weather: California, Florida, Arizona
Outdoor Activities: Colorado, Oregon, Washington
Culture & Entertainment: New York, California, Texas
Safety: Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire
Healthcare Quality: Massachusetts, Minnesota, California

State-by-State Comparison

High Pay, High Cost States

California - Highest pay, highest cost
New York - Very high pay, very high cost
Massachusetts - High pay, very high cost
Connecticut - High pay, high cost

Best For: Nurses who want maximum earnings and don’t mind high costs

High Pay, Moderate Cost States

Texas - Good pay, low cost, no state tax
Arizona - Good pay, moderate cost
Nevada - Good pay, moderate cost, no state tax
Colorado - Good pay, moderate-high cost

Best For: Nurses who want good pay with reasonable costs

Moderate Pay, Low Cost States

Tennessee - Moderate pay, low cost, no state tax
Alabama - Moderate pay, very low cost
Mississippi - Lower pay, very low cost
Arkansas - Moderate pay, low cost

Best For: Nurses who prioritize savings and low costs

Nurse Licensure Compact States

Compact states allow you to work in multiple states with one license:

Current Compact States:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Benefits:

Work in multiple states with one license
Faster start times
Lower licensing costs
More opportunities

Special Considerations

High Demand States

California - Always high demand
Texas - Large population, growing demand
Florida - Retiree population, high demand
New York - Major metro areas, constant demand

Best for New Travel Nurses

Compact states - Easier licensing
High demand areas - More opportunities
Supportive agencies - Better guidance
Established markets - More resources

Best for Experienced Nurses

High pay states - Maximize earnings
Specialty-focused areas - Advanced opportunities
Teaching hospitals - Professional development
Competitive markets - Better negotiation power

Making Your Decision

Consider These Factors:

Total Compensation
- Hourly rate
- Stipends
- Benefits
- Taxes
Cost of Living
- Housing costs
- Food costs
- Transportation
- Entertainment
Quality of Life
- Weather
- Activities
- Culture
- Safety
Career Goals
- Specialty opportunities
- Professional development
- Networking
- Long-term plans

Our Recommendations

For Maximum Earnings:

California
New York
Massachusetts
Washington
Oregon

For Best Value (Pay vs. Cost):

Texas
Nevada
Arizona
Tennessee
Florida

For Tax Benefits:

Texas (no state tax, good pay)
Washington (no state tax, high pay)
Florida (no state tax, moderate pay)
Nevada (no state tax, good pay)
Tennessee (no state tax, moderate pay)

Conclusion

The best state for travel nurses depends on your priorities. Consider total compensation, cost of living, tax benefits, and quality of life when making your decision.

Use our state-specific pay guides to compare detailed information for each state, including pay rates, GSA rates, tax information, and cost of living data.

Related Resources: