CRNA Travel Nurse Salary 2026: How to Earn $259K+

CRNAs are among the highest-paid nursing professionals, and those who travel can earn even more. In 2026, top CRNA locum tenens positions are paying $200-300/hour with some crisis assignments exceeding that.

Here’s everything you need to know about CRNA travel and locum pay in 2026.

CRNA Salary Overview

National Averages (2026)

By State (Top 10)

The locum premium reflects how much more travel/locum CRNAs earn compared to staff positions in the same state.

Types of CRNA Travel Assignments

1. Traditional Locum Tenens

Long-term coverage for staffing gaps:

• Duration: 3-12 months
• Hours: Full-time (40+ hrs/week)
• Pay: $125-175/hr
• Benefits: Often included (malpractice, housing stipend)

2. Short-Term Crisis Coverage

Urgent coverage needs:

• Duration: 2-8 weeks
• Hours: Often heavy (50+ hrs/week)
• Pay: $175-250/hr
• Benefits: Premium pay, travel covered

3. PRN/Per Diem Locum

Flexible, as-needed coverage:

• Duration: Single days to weeks
• Hours: Variable
• Pay: $150-200/hr (higher for short notice)
• Benefits: Usually none (higher hourly compensates)

4. 1099 Independent Contractor

Direct contracting with facilities:

• Duration: Variable
• Hours: Negotiated
• Pay: $175-300/hr
• Benefits: None (self-managed)

Pay Structure Breakdown

CRNA locum pay typically includes:

Base Hourly Rate

• Standard: $125-150/hr
• Premium: $150-200/hr
• Crisis: $200-300/hr

Tax-Free Stipends

If you maintain a tax home:

• Housing: $2,500-5,000/month
• M&IE: $400-800/week
• Annual tax-free value: $40,000-65,000

Additional Compensation

• Travel reimbursement: $500-2,000
• Licensure fees: Often covered
• Malpractice: Typically included
• Sign-on bonus: $5,000-25,000 (competitive markets)

Maximizing CRNA Locum Income

1. Geographic Flexibility

Highest-paying regions:

• Rural areas (Alaska, Montana, Wyoming)
• Underserved areas (Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia)
• High-demand metros during shortages

2. Specialty Premium

Certain CRNA specialties command higher rates:

• Cardiac anesthesia: +15-20%
• Pediatric anesthesia: +10-15%
• OB anesthesia: +5-10%
• Pain management: Variable

3. Night/Weekend Differentials

Some facilities offer:

• Night shift: +15-25%
• Weekend premium: +10-20%
• Holiday coverage: +50-100%

4. Negotiation Leverage

CRNAs have significant leverage due to:

• Limited CRNA supply (50,000 nationally)
• Growing demand (aging population)
• Rural healthcare needs
• Anesthesiologist shortages

Sample Annual Earnings

Conservative Scenario

• 46 working weeks
• $125/hr average
• 40 hrs/week
• = $230,000 taxable
• • $35,000 stipends (tax-free)
• = $265,000 total

Moderate Scenario

• 46 working weeks
• $150/hr average
• 40 hrs/week
• = $276,000 taxable
• • $45,000 stipends (tax-free)
• = $321,000 total

Aggressive Scenario

• 48 working weeks
• $175/hr average
• 45 hrs/week
• = $378,000 taxable
• • $50,000 stipends (tax-free)
• = $428,000 total

Path to Becoming a Traveling CRNA

Prerequisites

1. BSN degree
2. 1-2 years ICU experience (minimum)
3. CCRN certification (strongly recommended)
4. DNP/DNAP from accredited program (3-4 years)
5. NCE certification exam

Timeline

• Total education: 7-10 years post-high school
• ICU experience requirement: 1-2 years
• CRNA program: 3-4 years
• Locum eligibility: After 1-2 years as CRNA

Investment

• CRNA program tuition: $80,000-180,000
• Lost wages during program: $240,000-400,000
• Total investment: $320,000-580,000

ROI

• Pay increase over staff RN: +$140,000/year
• Investment recovery: 3-5 years
• 20-year additional earnings: $2.5M+

Top CRNA Locum Agencies

Full-Service Agencies

• Aya Locums
• CompHealth
• Envision Physician Services
• Locum Leaders
• Weatherby Healthcare

CRNA-Focused Agencies

• The Inline Group
• Anesthesia Medical Group
• NorthStar Anesthesia
• TeamHealth

Marketplace Platforms

• Nomad Health (locum section)
• All Star Recruiting

Common Questions

Can new CRNAs do locum work?

Most agencies prefer 1-2 years of staff CRNA experience. Some accept new grads for certain assignments. Building staff experience first typically leads to higher locum rates later.

Is CRNA locum work stable?

Demand for CRNAs consistently outpaces supply. Experienced locum CRNAs report 95%+ utilization (working whenever they want). However, individual contracts end, requiring ongoing job search.

Should I be W-2 or 1099?

This depends on your situation:

• W-2: Simpler taxes, malpractice included, benefits available
• 1099: Higher gross rates, more deductions, Solo 401(k) benefits

See our W-2 vs 1099 Calculator for your specific comparison.

How do tax-free stipends work for CRNAs?

Same rules as travel nursing:

• Maintain a tax home (duplicate expenses)
• Travel 50+ miles from home
• Temporary assignments
• Stipends cover lodging, meals, incidentals

Can CRNAs travel with families?

Yes, and many do. Higher CRNA pay makes it more feasible to:

• Rent larger accommodations
• Cover travel for family members
• Choose family-friendly locations
• Take longer assignments for stability

CRNA vs Other Options

CRNA Locum vs Staff CRNA

CRNA vs NP Locum

Next Steps

If you’re considering the CRNA path:

1. Current ICU nurses: Start CRNA program research and applications
2. Current CRNAs: Contact locum agencies to explore opportunities
3. Med-Surg nurses: Transition to ICU to begin CRNA pathway

For detailed salary comparisons, see our CRNA Pay Report.

The Bottom Line

CRNA locum and travel positions offer some of the highest earnings available in nursing. Combined with tax-free stipends and geographic flexibility, traveling CRNAs can build significant wealth quickly.

The investment required (time, money, lost income) is substantial, but the ROI is strong for those committed to the path.

Key Takeaways:

• Average locum CRNA earns $259K+ annually
• Top earners exceed $400K with crisis assignments
• Tax-free stipends add $35,000-65,000 in value
• Demand consistently outpaces supply
• ROI on education investment is typically 3-5 years