US vs International Nursing: UK, Canada, Australia Net Savings Compared

American travel nurses earn more than their international counterparts on paper. But when you factor in healthcare costs, taxes, and cost of living, is the US still the best place to nurse?

Here’s a comprehensive analysis of nursing pay and net savings across four major English-speaking countries in 2026.

The Headline Numbers

Average RN Annual Salary (2026)

The US clearly wins on gross pay—but gross pay isn’t what matters. Net savings do.

Calculating Net Savings

To fairly compare, we need to account for:

1. Taxes
2. Healthcare costs
3. Cost of living
4. Retirement contributions

Tax Burden Comparison

*US travel nurses benefit from tax-free stipends, lowering effective rate.

Healthcare Costs

This is where the US loses ground. American nurses often pay:

• Insurance premiums: $200-600/month
• Deductibles: $1,000-5,000/year
• Out-of-pocket costs: Variable

Cost of Living Comparison

Using a standardized basket of goods (housing, food, transport, utilities):

Net Savings Analysis

Let’s calculate actual savings potential for a single nurse:

USA: Staff Nurse

Gross: $82,000

• Taxes (27%): -$22,140
• Healthcare: -$5,000
• COL (secondary city): -$40,000 Net savings: $14,860

USA: Travel Nurse

Gross: $115,000

• Taxable portion: $70,000
• Taxes on taxable (25%): -$17,500
• Tax-free stipends: $45,000
• Healthcare: -$3,000 (often agency-provided)
• COL (rotating/housing arbitrage): -$35,000 Net savings: $59,500

UK: NHS Nurse

Gross: £38,000 ($48,000)

• Taxes (30%): -$14,400
• Healthcare: $0
• COL (secondary city): -$28,000 Net savings: $5,600

UK: Agency Nurse

Gross: £55,000 ($70,000)

• Taxes (32%): -$22,400
• Healthcare: $0
• COL: -$32,000 Net savings: $15,600

Canada: Staff Nurse

Gross: C$85,000 ($63,000)

• Taxes (32%): -$20,160
• Healthcare: -$1,000
• COL (secondary city): -$32,000 Net savings: $9,840

Australia: Staff Nurse

Gross: A$95,000 ($62,000)

• Taxes (31%): -$19,220
• Healthcare: -$1,500
• COL (secondary city): -$35,000 Net savings: $6,280

Australia: Agency Nurse

Gross: A$130,000 ($85,000)

• Taxes (35%): -$29,750
• Healthcare: -$2,000
• COL: -$38,000 Net savings: $15,250

Summary Table

The winner is clear: US travel nursing offers 3-10x the savings potential of other countries.

What the Numbers Miss

Quality of Life Factors

Work-life balance:

• UK: 37.5-hour standard week, 5.6 weeks paid leave
• Canada: Better work-life culture, more vacation
• Australia: 4 weeks paid leave standard
• USA: Often 36-48 hour weeks, 2-3 weeks PTO if any

Job security:

• UK: Strong employment protections
• Canada: Union protection common
• Australia: Strong labor laws
• USA: At-will employment, less security

Retirement:

• UK: NHS pension is excellent
• Canada: CPP + employer pensions
• Australia: 11% superannuation mandatory
• USA: Variable, depends on employer

Hidden US Advantages

Tax-free stipends:

• $30,000-50,000/year in tax-free income
• No equivalent in other countries

Geographic mobility:

• 50 states = enormous variety
• Can chase highest-paying markets
• Cost-of-living arbitrage possible

Career progression:

• More CRNA/NP programs
• Higher advanced practice pay
• More entrepreneurial opportunities

Hidden US Disadvantages

Healthcare anxiety:

• Coverage gaps between contracts
• High deductibles
• Pre-existing condition concerns

Student debt:

• Average US nursing student debt: $40,000
• UK: Lower tuition (NHS funding programs)
• Canada: More reasonable tuition
• Australia: HECS-HELP system

No safety net:

• Unemployment harder to access
• Less job protection
• More financial stress

Who Should Go Where?

Stay in the US if:

• You’re pursuing aggressive savings goals
• You can handle healthcare system complexity
• You value income maximization
• You don’t mind the hustle culture

Consider UK if:

• Work-life balance is priority
• Healthcare security matters most
• You want excellent pension
• Accepting lower overall savings

Consider Canada if:

• You want balance of income and lifestyle
• Prefer more stable employment
• Value healthcare security
• Don’t mind cold winters

Consider Australia if:

• Outdoor lifestyle is important
• You want adventure + decent pay
• Good balance of all factors
• Okay with distance from US/Europe

For US Nurses Considering International

Working in UK

• IELTS required
• NMC registration process: 3-6 months
• Pay is significantly lower
• But NHS pension is valuable long-term

Working in Canada

• NNAS credential assessment required
• Provincial registration varies
• Closer culturally to US
• Better pay than UK, less than US

Working in Australia

• AHPRA registration required
• Visa sponsorship needed
• Good lifestyle destination
• Moderate pay, high COL

The Bottom Line

For pure savings accumulation, US travel nursing is unmatched. The combination of high pay, tax-free stipends, and geographic arbitrage creates savings potential that no other country offers.

However, the US model comes with trade-offs: healthcare complexity, less work-life balance, and greater financial stress. For nurses who prioritize lifestyle over savings rate, international options may be appealing.

Key Takeaways:

• US travel nurses save 3-10x more than international equivalents
• Tax-free stipends are a uniquely American advantage
• Other countries offer better work-life balance
• Healthcare costs partially offset US pay advantage
• The “best” country depends on your priorities