How Much Do Travel Nurses Make in 2026?
Travel nurses earn an average of $1,856 per week (about $47/hour blended) in 2026 — roughly $82,000–$89,000 per year working 44–48 weeks. State averages run from $1,520 to $2,320/week, and a large share of the package is tax-free.
Data reviewed July 3, 2026 · 50 states, 221 cities, FY2026 GSA rates
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
$1,856
Avg Weekly Pay
$47/hr
Avg Blended Hourly
$1,223/wk
Avg Max Tax-Free Stipend
$82,000+
Typical Annual (44 wks)
How Travel Nurse Pay Actually Works
A travel nurse pay package has two parts, and the split matters more than the total:
1. Taxable hourly wage
Often $25–$55/hour — deliberately moderate, because every dollar here is taxed like normal income. This is also what overtime multiplies from.
2. Tax-free stipends
Housing + meals & incidentals, capped by GSA per diem rates for the assignment ZIP. Tax-free only if you maintain a qualifying tax home.
Two contracts with identical weekly totals can differ by hundreds of dollars in take-home depending on this split, the state's income tax, and whether local rent eats the stipend. That's the math our pay calculator does for any offer, and our blended rate calculator normalizes competing offers.
Travel Nurse Pay by Specialty
| Specialty | Hourly | Weekly | Annual (46 wks) | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRNA | $130/hr | $5,200 | $239,200 | Very High |
| Cath Lab | $62/hr | $2,480 | $114,080 | High |
| OR | $56/hr | $2,240 | $103,040 | High |
| ICU | $55/hr | $2,200 | $101,200 | Very High |
| PICU | $55/hr | $2,200 | $101,200 | High |
| ER | $54/hr | $2,160 | $99,360 | Very High |
| NICU | $54/hr | $2,160 | $99,360 | High |
| Cardiac | $54/hr | $2,160 | $99,360 | High |
| PACU | $53/hr | $2,120 | $97,520 | High |
| Labor & Delivery | $52/hr | $2,080 | $95,680 | High |
| Oncology | $51/hr | $2,040 | $93,840 | High |
| Telemetry | $50/hr | $2,000 | $92,000 | High |
| Psychiatric | $49/hr | $1,960 | $90,160 | Moderate |
| Med-Surg | $48/hr | $1,920 | $88,320 | Very High |
Negotiating within your specialty? See our specialty-specific guides for ICU, ER, OR, L&D, Cath Lab, CRNA, and Med-Surg.
Top 10 Highest-Paying States
Hawaii
11% state tax · COL 193.3
$2,320/wk
New York
10.9% state tax · COL 139.1
$2,320/wk
Massachusetts
5% state tax · COL 146.5
$2,240/wk
Washington
No state income tax · COL 118.7
$2,240/wk
Alaska
No state income tax · COL 125.8
$2,200/wk
California
13.3% state tax · COL 151.7
$2,200/wk
Oregon
9.9% state tax · COL 130.8
$2,160/wk
Connecticut
6.99% state tax · COL 121
$2,080/wk
New Jersey
10.75% state tax · COL 120.4
$2,080/wk
Colorado
4.4% state tax · COL 105.1
$2,000/wk
Compare all 50 on the state pay hub or check housing stipend margins by state — the highest gross rarely means the highest take-home.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Cities
Travel vs Staff Nurse Pay
Travel nurses typically gross 30–60% more than staff nurses in the same unit — and because stipends are untaxed, the take-home gap is often wider than the gross gap. But staff roles carry benefits, PTO, and retirement matching that close part of the difference. Your true break-even depends on your tax home, state, and specialty.
Four Levers That Raise Your Real Income
1. Pick stipend-surplus markets
Where the GSA housing allowance exceeds local rent, the difference is tax-free income. Find them in the GSA Rate Explorer.
2. Use state taxes, not just rates
A same-rate contract in a no-income-tax state nets 4–8% more. Compare with the tax calculator.
3. Negotiate every contract
Stipends first (tax-free), then rate. See what a $3/hr win compounds to in the Negotiation ROI Calculator.
4. Time the market
Winter respiratory season and summer trauma season spike rates 10–25% in the right markets. Our quarterly reports track the cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel nurses make per week in 2026?
The national average travel nurse pay is $1,856 per week ($47/hour blended) across all 50 states in 2026. State averages range from $1,520 to $2,320 per week, and high-demand specialties or crisis contracts can pay well above that range.
How much do travel nurses make per year?
A travel nurse working 44–48 weeks per year at the national average earns roughly $82,000–$89,000 annually. Because a large share of the package is tax-free stipends, take-home pay is typically higher than a staff position with the same gross.
What part of travel nurse pay is tax-free?
Housing and meal stipends are tax-free if you maintain a qualifying tax home and work far enough away that you need overnight lodging. Stipend ceilings follow GSA per diem rates for the assignment location — the average maximum is about $1,223/week, but it varies widely by city.
Which travel nurse specialty pays the most?
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) pays the most at about $5,200/week. Among bedside RN specialties, Cath Lab (~$2,480/wk) and OR (~$2,240/wk) lead. Med-surg sits at the baseline but has the most open contracts.
Do travel nurses make more than staff nurses?
Yes — typically 30–60% more in gross terms, and often more in take-home terms because stipends aren't taxed. The gap narrows once you account for benefits, PTO, and retirement matching that staff roles include. Our staff vs travel calculator computes your personal break-even rate.
How can travel nurses increase their pay?
The four biggest levers: pick markets where the GSA housing allowance exceeds local rent (stipend surplus), prefer no-income-tax states at equal rates, negotiate every contract (stipends first — they're tax-free), and time contracts for seasonal demand like winter respiratory season.
Figures computed from our dataset of 50 states, 221 cities, and 14 specialties; last reviewed July 3, 2026. Individual pay varies by experience, agency, facility, and negotiation.
Get Weekly Travel Nurse Tips & Pay Insights
Join thousands of travel nurses getting weekly tips on maximizing pay, tax strategies, and contract negotiation.
- Weekly pay rate updates by state
- Tax optimization strategies
- Contract negotiation tips
- Housing cost insights