Specialty Pay Progression Report 2026
How to bridge the $320/week pay gap between the lowest and highest-paying travel nurse specialties. Your roadmap from Med-Surg to ICU to CRNA.
Highest Paying Specialty
OR
$2,240/wk
Entry Level Specialty
Med-Surg
$1,920/wk
Weekly Pay Gap
$320
$16,640/year
All Specialties Ranked by Weekly Pay
* Weekly pay represents average travel nurse rates including taxable wages and estimated stipends.
Career Progression Paths
Med-Surg → ICU → CRNA
Med-Surg RN
Years 0-2
$1,800/wk
Build foundation
ICU RN
Years 2-4
$2,200/wk
+$400/wk, add CCRN
ICU Travel
Years 4-6
$2,800/wk
+$600/wk, mobility
CRNA
Years 9+
$4,200/wk
+$1,400/wk, autonomy
Med-Surg → ER → Flight
Med-Surg RN
Years 0-2
$1,800/wk
Build foundation
ER RN
Years 2-4
$2,160/wk
+$360/wk, add CEN
ER Travel
Years 4-6
$2,700/wk
+$540/wk, mobility
Flight Nurse
Years 7+
$3,500/wk
+$800/wk, CFRN
Med-Surg → OR
Med-Surg RN
Years 0-2
$1,800/wk
Build foundation
OR RN
Years 2-4
$2,240/wk
+$440/wk, add CNOR
OR Travel
Years 4+
$2,900/wk
+$660/wk, high demand
How to Bridge the Pay Gap
Short-Term (0-2 years)
- 1. Get ACLS and BLS certifications (required for most high-paying specialties)
- 2. Float to ICU/ER when opportunities arise to build experience
- 3. Take charge nurse opportunities to demonstrate leadership
- 4. Cross-train in procedures relevant to your target specialty
Medium-Term (2-4 years)
- 1. Transition to ICU, ER, or OR as a staff nurse first
- 2. Get specialty certification (CCRN, CEN, CNOR) for pay bump
- 3. Complete 2 years to qualify for travel nursing in new specialty
- 4. Build references in your new specialty
Calculate Your Specialty Pay
See exactly what you could earn in different specialties with our pay calculator.
Pay Calculator →