A quick fact-check on how much do travel nurses make per week!

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Are you a registered nurse, considering taking up the position of a travel nurse, and want to know how much do travel nurses make? Your search ends right here!! It is no secret that the ‘nursing shortage has reached a crisis point’ ( Relias’s 2022 medical report), with the vacancy rate standing at 10%, adding to the industry’s woes. Having said that, the nurses are comparatively in a better position to negotiate, and hence their prominence in the travel nursing profession has exponentially increased. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, they earn $3,270 weekly with an average salary of $105,021 (especially in the US and surrounding areas). 

However, there are a couple of fields where travel nurses are increasingly needed. Also, how much they earn (average) depends on certain specific geographic and demographic factors. As you scroll down this article – you will also get a fair idea about the prospects of their salary and some quickies if you are looking to pursue that domain professionally. 

How much do travel nurses make?

If we go in for a random estimate – on an hourly basis, travel nurses make close to $60 (compared to the $40-50 of permanent staff). Then going in for their weekly wages, they could roughly earn $3000-3500. 

Apparently, statistics show that a travel nurse (with a certain level of qualification and experience) could pay somewhere around $105,000 as base pay (minus the bonuses). Along with these base payments, they are also entitled to a wide range of bonuses – from agency bonuses to retention bonuses. 

Apart from the above-mentioned data, there is a wide range of statistics available about how much do travel nurses make. One of those data goes – the lowest pay that they could earn is $40,000 (which again is better than the average staff nurse pay package). On the contrary – the highest that a travel nurse could make was $155,000. In fact, in peak demand time periods, it went up to a massive $190,000! 

Do you want to know which states pay the highest to travel nurses? As per the 2022 last quarter data – 

  • California – $124,000 (apparently, they pay the highest amongst other states) 
  • Hawaii – $106,000
  • Oregon – $98,000

These states are closely followed by – Columbia, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Alaska, and Washington, all of which roughly pay $91,000 – $97,500 for these professionals. However, this data is subject to change in respect of the change in demand for travel nurses. 

Which are the ‘most-in-demand’ fields for travel nurses? 

Do you want to learn how much do travel nurses make in different specialties and which one pays the highest? Here’s the listicle – 

1. Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit 

If you are in this department – then you are automatically the most sought-after travel nurse! You are supposed to make somewhere between $2,220 – 4,500 weekly. 

2. Emergency Room Travel Nurse 

In case you are in the emergency department, then you already know how daunting it can get when you are dealing with trauma patients. Without a doubt – you are compensated well! Expect to make around $1,900 – 4,800 per week if you are part of this. 

3. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit 

Another of the most challenging departments to work in, a travel nurse in this department earns approximately $3,300 – 6,200 weekly in this field. 

4. Pediatric Travel Nurse 

You will be shocked to learn how much do travel nurses make in this department. Their weekly compensation, thanks to the challenging demands of the field starts from a whopping $4,000 – 7,500! 

5. Telemetry Department Travel Nurse 

Though their job profile is quite similar to that of a registered nurse, but due to their capacity to handle the operating room atmosphere amidst crisis situations, they are compensated handsomely. A trained travel nurse working in this field can earn between – $2,200 – 4,500 per week. 

6. Progressive Care Unit 

When part of this field, you have to be on your feet 24×7, monitoring the vital signs of the patients. The prevalent compensation in this domain is between $2,500 – 4,900 weekly. 

Do they get any ‘extra’ compensation? 

For the unversed – travel nurses, apart from their compensation, gets a host of ‘extras’ – that are assuredly part of their job profile. 

  • They have proper insurance coverage, inclusive of complete health, vision, and dental checkups.
  • A prominent demand for travel nurses’ profiles is their capability to practice in multiple states. Therefore – most employers provide Free Continuing Education (FCE) to ensure that they get to manage their duties well. 
  • They are also entitled to tax-free travel reimbursement or stipend. 
  • If you were not aware how much do travel nurses make along with their regular salary – then for the record: they have sign-on bonuses and retention bonuses with retirement benefits, all of which are financially profitable.

Is a salary negotiation allowed?

As a matter of fact, salary negotiation (given their market demands) is not even required. With the increasing demands, they are already paid comparatively higher than their counterparts. However, if you want to know the ways by which you can negotiate your price – here are some tricks:

1. To improve your ‘take-home’ tone down your housing costs 

Assuming you have experience in this field and already understand how much do travel nurses make and looking for salary negotiations, you could always, in the meantime, increase your ‘take home salary’ from the current lot. If you are getting a house via agencies, they normally sign corporate leases. Naturally, they come (surely with their advantages) at a ‘corporate’ price tag. 

If you find your housing by yourself, assuredly you will be able to reduce the ‘additional’ costs, thereby ‘apparently raising’ your salary bar.

2. Improve your certifications 

One of the other ways to negotiate your salary is – by increasing your certification. Apart from the standard certification, if you have the TNCC certificate, as well as certificates in specialty fields such as cardio catheterization and pediatric or neonatal intensive care – along with the AMN passport, you can negotiate better salaries.

3. Pick your work schedules

If you are not getting a raise directly, you can also negotiate your salary by choosing the ‘less desirable’ shifts. Travel nurses who work night shifts, midweek shifts, and even weekend shifts are paid almost a handsomely ‘more’ amount vis-a-vis their contemporaries. You would be surprised to know that – as a travel nurse if you are working on specified holidays, you could get paid up to half the usual rate or even double time (depending on your credentials and experience). 

4. Be flexible with your residence 

You have already noted the difference in how much do travel nurses make in different states. Statistically speaking, the highest-paying states were – Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, California, and Alaska. When you make yourself flexible to work in any of these mentioned states and have specified licenses for the same, you can automatically negotiate your salary.

Read Also: Healthy Lunch Ideas

The expected growth rate in this field 

This is a field that, without a doubt, is touted to grow in upcoming times. A statistical report on Occupational Employment Statistics supposedly projects a massive 6% growth rate in the payment of travel nurses through 2031 due to a rise in chronic diseases. Clearly, you are in for good money and a bucketload of experience! 

Last note 

With a fair idea about how much do travel nurses make on average – both on a weekly or yearly basis, you can (if you are looking forth to it) surely pursue this career switch. Given its prospects in the current market, both financially and professionally, without a doubt, this is one of the best careers to follow. If you liked this content and are looking for further content like this, keep following this page. 

Frequently-Asked Questions

Q1: How much do travel nurses typically earn?

Ans: The earnings of travel nurses can vary depending on various factors such as location, specialty, experience, and the travel nursing agency they work with. On average, travel nurses can earn higher wages compared to staff nurses due to the added benefits of travel and housing allowances. Salaries can range from around $60,000 to over $100,000 per year.

Q2: Do travel nurses receive additional benefits besides their salary?

Ans: Yes, travel nurses often receive additional benefits in addition to their salary. These benefits can include tax-free housing or housing stipends, meal allowances, health insurance, retirement plans, travel reimbursements, and bonuses. The specific benefits and packages offered can vary depending on the travel nursing agency and the assignment.

Q3: Are there certain specialties or areas of nursing that pay higher rates for travel nurses?

Ans: Yes, certain nursing specialties that are in high demand or require specialized skills may offer higher pay rates for travel nurses. Specialties such as critical care, emergency room, operating room, and labor and delivery tend to have higher rates due to the demand for experienced nurses in these areas.

Q4: Does the location of the travel nursing assignment affect the pay rate?

Ans: Yes, the location of the assignment can impact the pay rate for travel nurses. Assignments in areas with higher costs of living or locations experiencing nursing shortages may offer higher pay rates to attract nurses. Travel nurses can also receive additional compensation for working in rural or underserved areas where there is a greater need for healthcare professionals.

Q5: Can travel nurses negotiate their pay and benefits?

Ans: Yes, travel nurses can often negotiate their pay and benefits, especially if they have specialized skills or significant experience. Travel nursing agencies may be willing to adjust compensation packages to attract and retain highly qualified nurses. It’s important for travel nurses to research industry standards, discuss their preferences with the agency, and be prepared to negotiate based on their qualifications and the specific assignment.

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