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July 22, 2024
Becoming a travel nurse is an exciting adventure, but determining where to take an assignment can be overwhelming.
Salary, housing options, location amenities, and staffing ratios can all factor into the decision. The location itself — its desirability and relative location to a nurse’s current assignment or hometown — can be a major consideration.
Most travel nursing assignments are only 13 weeks, so travel nurses can move on after an assignment if they are no longer needed or are unhappy with the placement. This flexibility appeals to many nurses and continues to make travel nursing one of the most desirable careers in the nursing industry.
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
Salary tends to be the number one driving factor for nurses comparing travel nurse jobs. However, the cost of living and housing affordability in those destinations are often overlooked. States with higher hourly wages generally have a higher cost of living, which means less affordable housing and higher taxes.
For example, a travel nurse in California will likely make more money per hour than a nurse in Texas. However, the nurse in Texas will likely end up bringing home a bigger paycheck because of the lower cost of living expenses and taxes. Assignments in states like Oklahoma or Kansas may not look undesirable, but with a low cost of living, nurses have the ability to make more money.
It is important to factor in the cost of living when determining where to take your next travel assignment. Hawaii, one of the most desirable locations for travel nurses, may have extremely high hourly wages, but the cost of living is among the highest in the country.
Furthermore, consider the housing stipend and rental costs in the area. If the housing stipend is lower than current rentals, this will impact your overall net salary.
A U.S. News & World Report looked at the most affordable states in the country. Topping the list was Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia, and South Dakota. Currently, Arkansas is ranked #1 as the most affordable state. California currently ranks the lowest in affordability with the highest cost of living and the least affordable housing in the country.
Interestingly, California and Hawaii are some of the most desirable states for travel nurses, though their hourly pay is very low compared to what is needed for living expenses. In cases like this where the location is a travel or vacation destination, travel nurses may forgo pay for the experience of living in a vacation destination like Hawaii or San Diego for 13 weeks.
Other states recognized as the least affordable include Washington and New York, and Massachusetts — also popular travel nurse destinations.
According to ZipRecruiter.com, in 2024, travel nurses will earn the highest average salary in California with an average hourly wage of $44 and an annual salary of $90,766. It’s important to note wages can increase between travel nurse companies and vary depending on certifications and unit placement. ICU nurses tend to earn more than medical-surgical nurses, for example.
Find available, high-paying travel nurse opportunities.
Here’s a list of the top 10 highest-paying cities for travel nurses.
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotts Valley, CA | $164,925 | $13,743 | $3,171 | $79.29 |
| Aspen, CO | $160,571 | $13,380 | $3,087 | $77.20 |
| Santa Clara, CA | $155,118 | $12,926 | $2,983 | $74.58 |
| Burlingame, CA | $150,296 | $12,524 | $2,890 | $72.26 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $148,303 | $12,358 | $2,851 | $71.30 |
| San Francisco, CA | $148,150 | $12,345 | $2,849 | $71.23 |
| Marysville, WA | $146,374 | $12,197 | $2,814 | $70.37 |
| San Jose, CA | $143,569 | $11,964 | $2,760 | $69.02 |
| Alexandria, VA | $141,356 | $11,779 | $2,718 | $67.96 |
| Redwood City, CA | $140,665 | $11,722 | $2,705 | $67.63 |
Source: ZipRecruiter.com
Travel nurse companies and recruiters work with travel nurses to find the best placement at the highest possible salary. Some companies have specific contracts and can offer higher pay than others. In fact, two travel nurses working in the same unit at the same hospital may make two different salaries. It’s important to pick a company you feel comfortable will advocate on your behalf to get higher wages.
At times, the recruiter will be more important than the company. The recruiter is your direct liaison with the hospital administration and will be your go-to for all contract negotiations, extensions, cancellations, and any issue that may arise during the assignment.
A 2017 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) study examined the specific projected job growth and demand of nurses in each state through 2030.
Based on the study, there are four states that will continue to have a deficit of nurses through 2030. Travel nurses are desperately needed in these states, and employers often give incentives to entice nurses. These states are:
As the country continues to see a mass exodus of nurses at the bedside, every state is desperately looking for nurses to fill the voids. Aya travel nursing company advertises over 14,000 travel nurse positions available on its website. Most other major travel nursing companies have countless unfilled nursing positions.
Additionally, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) says 55% of today’s nursing workforce is 50 years or older. The number of nurses retiring is also contributing to the ongoing nursing shortage.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment for RNs to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Roughly 193,100 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Unfortunately, the BLS does not differentiate between staff nurses and travel nurses, but it can be assumed that if there is a need for nurses in general, this will also include travel nurses.
California consistently has the highest demand for travel nurses throughout the year. Due to a powerful statewide union and specific laws regarding safe nurse-to-patient staffing ratios, there will always be a large need.
The time of year also affects which states need nursing resources. States such as Alaska, Maine, and Vermont have higher needs for travel nurses during the winter months but lower needs in the summer months – mostly because those are less desirable times to live in those locations. Conversely, Louisiana, Alabama, and Arkansas have higher needs during the summer and lower needs during the winter. Consider traveling to desirable locations during “off-peak” months for better assignments and pay.
Strictly choosing a travel nursing job and location based on pay and affordability can limit your decision. Travel nurses generally work three days a week, leading to a lot of time off to explore each new location. Thirteen weeks in a location that doesn’t fit can be exhausting and depressing.
When choosing a location, remember to consider your hobbies and what you like to do in your free time.
These questions are important when looking at job opportunities. It can be exciting to see the country and try new things, but if you know you hate the snow — don’t choose a snowy location in the winter.
Travel nursing isn’t strictly about seeing the country while earning a higher wage. It’s also about working at some of the top hospitals in the country.
Consider assignments at hospitals that will look good on your resume and help with your career advancement. Having worked at hospitals such as Johns Hopkins Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Mayo Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, UCLA Medical Center, and UCSF Medical Center will help travel nurses in future career endeavors. Assignments at these hospitals will open many doors for travel nurses, both professionally and academically.
Deciding which city to take an assignment can be daunting for new travel nurses, but with guidance from a seasoned recruiter, the task is more manageable. Remember to look at locations during off-peak months, consider house affordability, and evaluate the overall cost of living and location amenities when choosing your next contract.
Ready to begin travel nursing? Get started today!
