The Short Answer
Detailed comparison of travel nurse vs staff nurse pay in 2026. See real salary data, benefits analysis, total compensation, and which path is right for you.
Read the full breakdown below for detailed analysis, examples, and actionable steps.
“Is travel nursing really worth it?” It’s the question every staff nurse considers at some point. The pay seems incredible—but is it? Let’s break down the real numbers and see how travel nursing compares to staff positions in 2026.
Quick Comparison: Travel vs Staff (2026)
| Factor | Staff Nurse | Travel Nurse |
|---|---|---|
| Base hourly | $32-45 | $40-65 |
| Annual gross | $65,000-95,000 | $100,000-150,000 |
| Benefits | Comprehensive | Variable |
| Retirement | 401k + match | 401k (often lower match) |
| PTO | 3-5 weeks | Unpaid time off |
| Health insurance | Employer-subsidized | Self or agency |
| Job security | High | Contract-based |
| Schedule | Predictable | Variable |
| Location | Fixed | Flexible |
Bottom line: Travel nurses earn 40-80% more in gross pay, but the gap narrows when you factor in benefits and expenses.
Detailed Pay Breakdown
Staff Nurse (Hospital, Full-Time)
Example: ICU Nurse in Texas, 5 Years Experience
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base hourly | $38.00 |
| Annual base (36 hrs × 52 weeks) | $71,136 |
| Shift differentials | +$4,000 |
| Overtime (occasional) | +$3,000 |
| Annual bonus | +$2,000 |
| Total Gross | $80,136 |
Benefits Value:
| Benefit | Employer Cost | Your Value |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | $8,000/year | $8,000 |
| Dental/vision | $1,200/year | $1,200 |
| 401k match (4%) | $2,845 | $2,845 |
| PTO (4 weeks) | $5,472 | $5,472 |
| Tuition reimbursement | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Life/disability insurance | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Total Benefits | $21,517 | $21,517 |
Total Compensation: $101,653
Travel Nurse (Same Specialty, Same Market)
Example: ICU Travel Nurse, Texas Assignments
| Component | Weekly | Annual (48 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Taxable hourly ($48 × 36 hrs) | $1,728 | $82,944 |
| Housing stipend | $1,400 | $67,200 |
| Meals stipend | $500 | $24,000 |
| Total Weekly Gross | $3,628 | $174,144 |
But Wait—Expenses:
| Expense | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Health insurance (self-pay) | -$6,000 |
| Housing costs | -$48,000 |
| Travel between assignments | -$2,000 |
| Licensing fees | -$500 |
| Tax home maintenance | -$9,600 |
| Higher food costs | -$2,400 |
| Total Expenses | -$68,500 |
Adjusted Compensation: $105,644
The Real Comparison
| Metric | Staff Nurse | Travel Nurse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $80,136 | $174,144 | +$94,008 |
| Benefits value | $21,517 | ~$6,000 | -$15,517 |
| Work expenses | ~$3,000 | $68,500 | -$65,500 |
| Net value | $98,653 | $111,644 | +$12,991 |
Key insight: The travel nurse earns about $13,000 more annually—significant, but not the $94,000 difference the gross numbers suggest.
Scenarios Where Travel Wins Big
Scenario 1: No Tax Home Costs
If you don’t maintain a tax home (live with family, partner pays housing), you pocket your full stipends:
| Travel Nurse | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross income | $174,144 |
| Expenses (no tax home) | -$58,900 |
| Net | $115,244 |
Advantage: +$16,591 over staff nurse
Scenario 2: High-Pay Markets
Taking assignments in California, New York, or crisis situations:
| High-Pay Travel | Amount |
|---|---|
| Weekly gross | $4,500 |
| Annual (48 weeks) | $216,000 |
| Expenses | -$85,000 |
| Net | $131,000 |
Advantage: +$32,347 over staff nurse
Scenario 3: No Benefits Needed
If your spouse’s job provides health insurance and you don’t need agency benefits:
| Travel (Spouse Coverage) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross income | $174,144 |
| Expenses (minus insurance) | -$62,500 |
| Net | $111,644 |
Advantage: +$12,991 over staff nurse
Scenarios Where Staff Wins
Scenario 1: Long-Term Stability
Over 10 years, staff nurses benefit from:
- Consistent raises (2-4% annually)
- Pension vesting
- Seniority perks
- Career advancement (charge, manager, NP)
- Community and relationships
Scenario 2: Location Commitment
If you own a home, have school-age kids, or care for elderly parents, traveling may not be practical.
Scenario 3: Burnout Risk
Travel nursing’s constant change wears on many nurses. Staff positions offer:
- Familiar routines
- Known coworkers
- Consistent policies
- Less adaptation stress
Scenario 4: Specialty Development
Advancing in specialized areas (CRNA, NP, management) often requires:
- Consistent employment history
- Internal advancement opportunities
- Mentorship relationships
- Tuition support
Hidden Costs of Travel Nursing
Financial Costs
| Hidden Cost | Approximate Annual |
|---|---|
| Tax professional | $300-500 |
| License maintenance (multiple states) | $200-600 |
| Credentialing expenses | $100-300 |
| Gap time (between contracts) | $0-10,000 |
| Travel (visiting home) | $1,000-3,000 |
| Duplicate expenses | $2,000-5,000 |
| Furniture storage | $600-1,500 |
Non-Financial Costs
- Missing family events
- Friend relationships fade
- Dating challenges
- No “home” community
- Constant adaptation
- Feeling like the outsider
- Less investment in outcomes
Hidden Benefits of Travel Nursing
Financial Benefits
| Hidden Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
| Housing arbitrage (finding cheap housing) | $0-10,000/year |
| State tax savings (working in no-tax states) | $2,000-8,000 |
| Sign-on bonuses | $1,000-3,000 |
| Completion bonuses | $500-2,000 |
| Referral bonuses | $500-2,000 |
| Tax deductions (if legitimate) | $1,000-3,000 |
Non-Financial Benefits
- Freedom to explore new places
- Escape bad work environments
- Diverse clinical experience
- Professional growth
- Adventure and variety
- Control over your schedule
- Meeting nurses nationwide
Break-Even Analysis
Question: How much more must travel nursing pay to equal staff nursing value?
Starting with staff nurse total compensation of ~$100,000:
To match staff position value, a travel nurse needs:
- Enough to cover lost benefits (~$15,000)
- Enough to cover travel expenses (~$20,000)
- Enough to cover tax home (~$10,000)
- Minimum gross needed: ~$145,000/year
At $3,000/week gross, working 48 weeks = $144,000. That’s roughly break-even with a good staff position when all factors are considered.
Takeaway: If you’re earning less than ~$3,000/week as a traveler, a good staff position might actually pay better.
Decision Framework: Should You Travel?
Travel Nursing Makes Sense If:
- You’re earning $3,500+/week consistently
- You have minimal housing costs (no tax home)
- Your benefits needs are covered (spouse, VA, etc.)
- You don’t have location-dependent obligations
- You thrive with change and new environments
- You have specific financial goals (debt payoff, savings)
- You want to explore different places
Staff Nursing Makes Sense If:
- You value stability and routine
- You have family commitments in one location
- You’re working toward an advanced degree
- You want to climb the management ladder
- You value deep workplace relationships
- You have health conditions needing consistent care
- Local pay is competitive ($40+/hour)
Consider Hybrid Approach If:
- You want adventure but need stability sometimes
- You have a home base but can travel seasonally
- You want to test travel nursing before committing
- You’re burned out and need a change temporarily
Hybrid Options
PRN + Travel
Work PRN at your home hospital while taking travel assignments. Benefits:
- Keep one foot in home community
- Maintain skills at familiar facility
- Fill gaps between contracts
- Keep options open
Seasonal Travel
Travel during high-pay seasons (winter in warm states, summer in vacation spots) while staffing locally otherwise.
Local Travel
Take travel contracts within driving distance of home. Often pays 20-40% more than staff without major lifestyle disruption.
Internal Travel Programs
Many health systems offer internal “float pool” or “resource nurse” positions with travel-like pay but staff-like benefits.
Final Verdict
Travel nursing pays more—but not as much more as you think.
When you factor in:
- Benefits value
- Expenses
- Hidden costs
- Quality of life
The actual difference is roughly 10-30% higher for travel nursing, not the 100%+ that gross numbers suggest.
Is it worth it? That depends entirely on your:
- Life situation
- Financial goals
- Personality
- Risk tolerance
- Definition of “worth it”
For some nurses, the extra $15,000-40,000 and adventure makes it absolutely worthwhile. For others, the stability and benefits of a staff position provide more overall value.
There’s no wrong answer—just the right answer for you.
Related Resources
- Travel Nurse Pay Calculator — Calculate your actual take-home pay
- First Time Travel Nurse Checklist — Ready to try it?
- Savings Goal Calculator — Plan your financial goals
- Best Travel Nurse Agencies 2026 — Finding the right agency
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