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Nestled between our nation’s capital and several remarkable waterways, including the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay, lies the state of Maryland. It’s famous for its rich history, strong economic opportunities, blue crabs, and beautiful landscapes including over 3,000 miles of coastline. If you’re looking for a travel nurse opportunity that offers the winning combination of a first-class clinical setting and a lively, culture-rich city to explore during your downtime, look no further. Here are just a few reasons to consider a travel nursing assignment in the “Old State Line” known as Maryland.
Looking for travel nurse assignments in Maryland? Speak with a recruiter today!
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maryland pays nurses an average of $82,660 a year which puts them at the national average for nurse pay as of March 2023. Depending on your specialty, supply and demand, and location, you may be able to find a higher-paying assignment.
Based on information from Indeed.com and Ziprecruiter.com, travel nurses can make up to $3500 a week while traveling in Maryland. The highest-paying cities are as follows:
| City | Hourly Wage | Weekly Wage | Monthly Wage |
| Glen Burnie | $49.34 | $1,973 | $8,552 |
| Ellicott City | $48.31 | $1,932 | $8,373 |
| Silver Spring | $47.68 | $1,907 | $8,263 |
| Waldorf | $44.84 | $1,793 | $7,772 |
| Baltimore | $44.12 | $1,764 | $7,646 |
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
Maryland is home to several excellent hospitals that provide high-quality care to patients. These top hospitals have a strong reputation for providing extraordinary patient care and are staffed by highly skilled healthcare professionals:
Maryland is not the best state when it comes to affordable housing. Maryland’s cost of living for housing in its two biggest metropolitan areas significantly exceeds the national average. According to a 2021 report by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, Maryland ranks as the 12th most expensive state in the U.S.
Housing, transportation, and healthcare are among the highest expenses in Maryland. However, the cost of living can vary greatly depending on the specific location within the state. Some areas of Maryland, such as the suburbs of Baltimore and Washington D.C., can be quite expensive, while more rural areas may have a lower cost of living. According to Expatistan.com, an unfurnished studio apartment will cost an average of $1,100-$1,473 per month and a furnished studio like many travel nurses prefer to use will cost an average of $2,100-$2,700.
Maryland offers a variety of activities and attractions that are sure to appeal to visitors of all ages and interests. From the nature lover to the thrill seeker, the foodie to the history buff — Maryland’s cities and towns deliver.
Here are some of the top things to do in Maryland:
Maryland is a great place to live for those who value quality healthcare, education, a strong economy, beautiful scenery, cultural attractions, and easy access to major cities. Maryland’s high demand for nurses, several nationally ranked healthcare institutions, and NLC status all combine to make the state an attractive prospect for your next travel nursing assignment.
Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in Maryland!
Indiana is known for its rolling hills, small towns, and friendly Hoosier hospitality. The state is home to several bustling cities, including Indianapolis, the state capital, which has a vibrant arts, entertainment, and cultural scene. Nature lovers will find plenty of reasons to enjoy Indiana, with its numerous state parks, lakes, and hiking trails.
For nurses looking for a change of scenery or a new career challenge, Indiana offers excellent opportunities in travel nursing with high demand. ZipRecruiter.com reports that the median annual salary for travel nurses in Indiana is $105,994, or $51 per hour!
If you’re looking for a travel nursing adventure in the heart of the Midwest, consider traveling to Indiana for your next assignment.
Looking for travel nurse assignments in Indiana? Speak with a recruiter today!
Let’s start off with one of the most significant benefits of travel nursing: income! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Indiana pays registered nurses an average of $68,890 annually, or $33.12/hr. The BLS also reports that the annual median average nurse income is $77,600 in the United States, which puts Indiana slightly lower than the national average.
However, Indeed.com says that travel nurses in Indiana earn a salary of $128,978 per year or $9,132 per month! Fort Wayne, Munster, Lafayette, Indianapolis, and Evansville are the most lucrative cities.
| City | Hourly Wage | Weekly Wage | Monthly Wage |
| Fort Wayne | $60.13 | $2,567 | $9,934 |
| Munster | $57.77 | $2,466 | $9,544 |
| Lafayette | $55.65 | $2,376 | $9,193 |
| Indianapolis | $54.43 | $2,324 | $8,992 |
| Evansville | $54.03 | $2,307 | $8,926 |
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
The income of a travel nurse in Indiana can fluctuate significantly based on various factors, such as the urban or rural location of the city. Specialization, years of experience, type of healthcare facility, and level of education can also influence the pay scale. Additionally, some facilities may offer higher compensation to nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
Indiana is an excellent state for travel nurses to find consistent nursing assignments throughout the year, regardless of their specialty. However, it’s worth noting that Indiana’s highest-paying travel nursing jobs are typically found in larger cities like Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. This is because these cities are home to some of the state’s largest and most renowned hospitals, which tend to offer more travel assignments due to their size and patient demand.
According to ZipRecruiter, the highest-paying travel nursing specialties in the state include:
Indiana has 160 hospitals across the state. Five of those meet U.S. News and World Report’s high standard qualifications. Here are Indiana’s top five hospitals.
Indiana University (IU) Hospital is one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals, with national rankings across ten children’s specialties. IU Health is also known for its specialized programs in cancer treatment, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, and transplant surgery. It is also a designated Level I Adult Trauma Center and a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center.
Deaconess Hospital is a teaching hospital affiliated with the Indiana University School of Medicine and the University of Southern Indiana.
The hospital offers a wide range of services, including cancer care, heart, and vascular care, women’s health, orthopedics, and neurosciences, among others. In addition to its inpatient and outpatient services, Deaconess Hospital also operates several clinics and urgent care centers throughout the region.
Elkhart General Hospital is a non-profit community hospital located in Elkhart, Indiana. The hospital provides a wide range of medical services to the local community, including emergency care, surgical services, cancer care, and cardiac care. In addition, Elkhart General Hospital is affiliated with the Memorial Hospital of South Bend and the Beacon Health System.
The hospital is a Level 3 Trauma Center and is highly regarded for its stroke care and orthopedic services.
Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, provides comprehensive healthcare services round-the-clock, featuring a level I trauma center, comprehensive stroke center, transplant center, and burn center.
The hospital also provides a full range of minimally invasive procedures, imaging, lab tests, and rehabilitation services, all conveniently located on one campus.
Parkview Regional Medical Center has a comprehensive cancer center with advanced technology for radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and other cancer treatments. They also offer a specialized heart and vascular center, which includes a cardiac catheterization lab and a hybrid operating room.
The hospital’s Level II trauma center provides immediate care for life-threatening injuries and illnesses and has a comprehensive stroke center. In addition, the hospital has a Level III NICU that provides expert care to premature and critically ill newborns.
The cost of living refers to the amount of money needed to sustain a certain standard of living in a particular location. It includes expenses such as housing, food, transportation, healthcare, education, and other necessary costs you will need during your travel assignment.
The great news is that according to BestPlaces.net, the average cost of living in Indiana is significantly cheaper than the US average, with a cost of living rate of 83.7. A rating of 100 equals the median cost of living average in the US, and ratings greater than 100 mean a particular location is more expensive than the national median average.
With a cost of living rate of 83.7, your dollar will go much farther in Indiana. Keep in mind that this average includes the entire state. Metropolitan cities, such as Indianapolis, will have a higher cost of living than the less populated areas.
Payscale reports that Indianapolis’s cost of living is 7% lower than the national average, with housing costing 17% less than the national average. Indiana’s grocery prices are 3% lower than the national average, and utilities are 7% lower than the national average.
If you take a travel assignment anywhere in Indiana, BestPlaces.net reports a lower cost of living in cities throughout the state. They’ve factored in home prices, rent, food, utilities, and healthcare costs. Some cities, such as Indianapolis, have a slightly higher cost of living for utilities, but with all factors considered, the cost of living is still well below the US average.
| City | National Average | Median Home Price | Median Monthly Rent | Average Energy Bill |
| Indianapolis | 7% lower | $373,356 | $1,135 | $190.44 |
| Fort Wayne | 11% lower | $319,246 | $970.67 | $173.64 |
| Evansville | 7% lower | $332,323 | $1,101 | $195.03 |
| South Bend | 14% lower | $376,512 | $1,145 | $173.81 |
Prior to committing to a travel assignment, it is crucial to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the benefits and drawbacks of each location to ensure that it aligns with your priorities.
Outdoor:
Art and Music:
Theater:
Nightlife:
Indiana is a state that offers plenty of opportunities for fun and adventure. Whether you’re a foodie, a concert lover, or an outdoor enthusiast, Indiana has something to offer everyone, making it a great place to take a travel assignment and explore.
The state is a hub for sports enthusiasts, with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosting the famous Indy 500 race each year and the city of Indianapolis being home to several professional sports teams. Indiana also has a burgeoning culinary scene for those interested in food and drink, with many local breweries, wineries, and farm-to-table restaurants showcasing the best of the state’s agricultural products.
All these attractions, combined with Indiana residents’ friendly and welcoming nature, make the state a great place to visit and explore on your next travel assignment!
Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in Indiana!
Alabama is a state full of outdoor activities, historical landmarks, and rich cultural experiences that spread from the northernmost border to the southern border. Although many people who haven’t spent time in the South associate the state with Forrest Gump or Reece Witherspoon’s time on screen, the state offers many wonderful experiences to embark on during your travels.
As with many states in the South, travel contracts will not pay as much as they do on the West Coast, but the cost of living will help make this money go much further. Alabama contains multiple large cities which ensures that specialty jobs and nursing jobs, in general, remain a constant need. Take a look at some of the beautiful coastlines and incredible food to see if Alabama might be your next destination.
Looking for travel nurse assignments in Alabama? Speak with a recruiter today!
The nature of the beast for states in the southern part of the country is that their pay rates hardly ever compete with big-name travel states. However, as we will discuss later, the cost of living in Alabama is considerably lower, and although you might be making less money than with other contracts, you will also be spending less on basic necessities.
According to Indeed.com, travel nurses in Alabama make an average of $1,910 a week, which is lower than the average travel nurse salary of $2,317. According to Indeed, the highest-paying cities within the state are as follows:
A trend that we’ve seen in the travel industry over the past few years remains true in Alabama – there are certain specialties that generally pay nurses substantially more than others. Our guide to the highest-paying nursing assignments can you identify these specialties. As of spring 2023, the highest-paying specialties in Alabama are as follows
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
With so many hospitals to choose from, it’s important to know what qualities matter in a hospital to you:
Alabama has 116 hospitals, so doing your research on the hospital can have large payouts for your overall happiness and experience on your travel contract.
According to U.S. New World and Reports, these are the top-rated hospitals in Alabama.
One of the best things about moving to Alabama for a short time is that your dollar will go so much further here than in other states. According to the Missouri Economics and Research Center, Alabama is ranked as having the 4th lowest cost of living in the United States.
Zillow estimated that the average cost of a house in 2023 in Alabama was only $207,145 and the average monthly rent for a 1 bedroom was $739. Even when paying more for a furnished apartment, travel nurses will be making plenty to cover the cost of basic housing while staying in Alabama. Keep in mind that the bigger cities will always have higher rent prices than the more rural areas.
Studies on the cost of food for a household place the average American budget at $7,316 every year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) consumer expenditure survey. However, they also project that this same budget is only $3,261 for those living in Alabama. That is less than half of the national average which does a wonderful job of exemplifying how much lower the cost of living in Alabama is compared to the rest of the country.
The most visited attraction in all of Alabama is the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. This includes training centers, simulations, and a wealth of information about all things space travel. They host the largest space camp that brings thousands of people to the region every year to participate in all that the center has to offer.
If you are craving a day or two of relaxation or the Caribbean beach vibe, spend some time at the Gulf Shores. From this base camp, you can plan fishing trips, rent kayaks, or even plan trips to swim with dolphins.
If you enjoy golfing, the Robert Trent Golf Trail is composed of 11 different locations throughout the state with over 400 holes to play. These courses are known around the world, and some of the courses are worth a visit even if you don’t play golf due to their luxurious spas at the hotels. If you are searching for a day spent in the great outdoors, go take a hike a Cheaha State Park. This park is beautiful year-round and takes you to the highest point in the state. The colors in the fall can take your breath away, and the waterfalls in the spring and summer provide a refreshing delight from the warm temperatures.
Although it is not one of the most talked about states people mention when talking about travel nursing, Alabama can provide you with such a unique and fun experience. The Deep South culture with its warm, Southern hospitality can bring you countless new friends and kindred spirits. You can use it as a launching pad to explore the coast, the mountains of the northern part of the state, and potentially see many of the historical sites around the region.
Alabama has a low cost of living, so it can also be a great opportunity to bulk up your savings account while you are finishing your contract. Overall, this state has a lot to offer, and it can give you an experience unlike what many other states can provide when it comes to travel nursing.
Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in Alabama!
Virginia, home to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park, is an excellent place to start your travel nursing career. Placed in a prime location on the East Coast, travel nurses can experience a little bit of the North and the South.
Overall, the cost of living is lower in Virginia, so travel nurse pay will reflect that in certain areas. However, higher wages can be found around Richmond and Northern Virginia as compared to rural areas of the state.
Travel nurses will find contracts around the state with relative ease. With its apt state motto, Virginia is For Lovers, travel nurses will absolutely fall in love with this beautiful state.
Looking for travel nurse assignments in Virginia? Speak with a recruiter today!
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses in Virginia earn an average annual salary of $76,680 or $36.87 per hour which is slightly lower than the national average.
The top 90% of nurses in Virginia earn $100,990. The lowest 10% earn an average salary of $59,170 which is significantly below the national average. The BLS does not differentiate between different nurse specialties but rather provides a general median salary for all registered nurses, so salaries can fluctuate between specialties or staff nurse vs. travel nurse.
Indeed.com reports an average base salary of $2,371 per week and $55,53 per hour with top-paying locations in Falls Church, Lynchburg, Norfolk, Mechanicsville, and Salam, Virginia. Here is a deeper look into each one.
| City | Hourly Wage | Weekly Wage | Monthly Wage |
| Falls Church | $71.77 | $3,064 | $11,858 |
| Lynchburg | $62.70 | $2,677 | $10,359 |
| Norfolk | $60.88 | $2,599 | $10,057 |
| Mechanicsville | $55.41 | $2,365 | $9,154 |
| Salem | $54.72 | $2,336 | $9,041 |
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
The highest-paid travel nursing specialties depend on a variety of factors including location within the state, demand, and urgency of needs. Regardless of specialty, increased demand will cause wages to increase.
Nurses will see an increase in pay packages if they have advanced certifications such as CCRN, IBCLC, or CPN. Advanced skill sets such as ECMO or dialysis training will also garner travel nurses higher wages. Travel nurses with BLS, ACLS, and PALS will not see a bump in pay as those are standard certifications that are needed for most nursing positions.
Generally, the top-paying travel nurse specialties are:
Virginia has 122 hospitals in the state. Seventeen of those meet high U.S. News standards to be ranked. According to the U.S. News & World Report, here are the top 5 Virginia hospitals that were evaluated and ranked. The top five hospitals in Virginia as of 2022-2023 were as follows:
2. University of Virginia Medical Center
3. Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
5. Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
Cost of living is defined as the amount of money needed to cover basic expenses such as food, taxes, healthcare, and housing. Despite all travel nurse companies providing a stipend for housing, at times this has proven to not be enough. Furthermore, depending on the location – hotels may not be a viable long-term solution.
According to Bestplaces.net, the overall cost of living in Virginia is 4.2% higher than the national average.
Payscale.com reports on the cost of living in major Virginia cities including the median home price, median rent, and monthly energy bill.
With any career, there are pros and cons to the job. Travel nursing is no exception. It’s important to take into consideration your own personal circumstances:
Virginia is an ideal location for travel nurses, especially those that are new to the travel nursing game. While travel nurse wages might not be the highest in the country, there are plenty of jobs available at some of the top hospitals in the country. With plenty of options for things to do on the day off including hiking and sandy beaches – Virginia is a perfect location.
Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in Virginia!
New England is a region made up of six different states: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. As a travel destination, it’s beautiful, historic, and easy to navigate given the compact size of the area and the availability of trains throughout the region. And for travel nurses in particular, Massachusetts is also home to some of the nation’s best hospitals—as well as some of the best beaches and mountains.
Fortunately, if you’re a travel nurse looking to work in Massachusetts, the demand for travel nurses is still high, with over 5,000 jobs currently listed on job search sites such as Indeed. According to Indeed, the average travel nurse’s salary in Massachusetts is currently $2,406 per week. Plus, Massachusetts has plenty of activities and experiences to keep you busy during your time off, which is why you started traveling in the first place.
For instance, travel nurses in Massachusetts will be able to take advantage of living in one of the central states of New England, which is a great starting place for sightseeing in the area. There are also opportunities to take care of patients in coastal locations such as Boston and Cape Cod, or more rural settings around central and western Massachusetts.
Looking for travel nurse assignments in Massachusetts? Speak with a recruiter today!
The average travel nurse salary in Massachusetts is currently $56.37 per hour, $2,406 per week, and $9,312 per month, according to Indeed.
Exact payment can vary by specialty (for instance, if you’re in a specialty field, you may make more in a less-in-demand city), as well as contract and agency, but in general, here are the top-paying cities in Massachusetts:
Speaking of specialties, here are some of the top-paying nursing specialties in Massachusetts, according to Indeed:
Registered nurses specializing in sports medicine and orthopedics are paid an average of 22.63% more than the average base salary in Massachusetts. There are currently 34 job openings for this specialty in the state.
Labor and delivery nurses are paid an average of 17.93% more than the average base salary in Massachusetts. There are currently 784 job openings in the state in this area.
Cardiac catheterization lab nurses are paid an average of 16.56% more than the average base salary in Massachusetts. There are currently 460 job openings.
Oncology nurses are paid an average of 14.52% more than the average base salary in Massachusetts. There are currently 519 job openings for oncology nurses in Massachusetts.
Cardiology nurses are paid an average of 11.72% more than the average base salary in Massachusetts. There are currently 1,584 job openings in this area in the state.
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
Choosing a facility to work at in Massachusetts may be a challenge, as there are many reputable options to choose from. The leader in hospital rankings, U.S. News and World Report, most recently evaluated 101 hospitals in Massachusetts. According to their report, the top 5 hospitals in the state are:
In addition to nabbing the #1 Massachusetts hospital ranking by U.S. News and World Report, MGH also ranks as the number eight hospital in the entire nation. It is nationally ranked in 12 adult specialties and 3 children’s specialties. Working at MGH as a travel nurse, you will have the opportunity to work in one of the best research hospitals in the state and get access to a large base of support. MGH is also incredibly transparent about nursing staff ratios, publicly reporting nursing staffing information on PatientCareLink.org. MGH also uses advanced acuity software to ensure patient acuity is reflected in staffing calculations.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, often known simply as “The Brigham,” ranks as not only the number two hospital in Massachusetts but also as the number 14 hospital in the nation. It is nationally ranked in 12 adult specialties and has a Center for Nursing Excellence (CNE), which focuses on advancing the clinical practice of nurses and collaboration between different healthcare team members to enhance patient care.
BIDMC, which is the official hospital of the Boston Red Sox, is nationally ranked in three adult specialties. Working at BIDMC gives nurses another opportunity to work at an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) designated Magnet hospital. The facility is focused on the professional development of its nurses, with opportunities to be involved in research, networking, and grand rounds, as well as the ability to receive nursing excellence awards and scholarships.
Lahey Hospital is a surgical and general medical hospital rated as high performing in stroke care and in 11 procedures and conditions. The Cunningham Department of Nursing at Lahey emphasizes the core values of respect, caring, teamwork, excellence, and integrity in providing nursing care. Lahey Nursing also publishes ICU staffing data on its website. Like MGH, Lahey publicly reports nursing staffing information on PatientCareLink.org, in addition to patient quality metrics.
Tufts Medical Center is both an academic teaching hospital and a full-service medical facility for the community. The well-known hospital is an ANCC-designated Magnet hospital in the Boston area. Tufts places an emphasis on incorporating major nursing theories into the everyday work of nurses at Tufts. Tufts also has a nursing professional practice model which emphasizes the use of evidence-based practice in patient care.
Overall, travel nurses might expect to find the cost of living—including housing and things like groceries and utilities—to be higher-than-average in Massachusetts.
Using 100 as an average cost of living index in the United States, the overall cost of living in Massachusetts is 127.5, according to BestPlaces.net, which also offers a cost-of-living comparison calculator between cities. This means that the average cost of living in Massachusetts is higher than the average of other areas in the United States.
Specifically, the cost of housing is 175 on a 100-point index. The cost of groceries is 108.9, utilities are 112.9, and transportation is 107.9 on a 100-point index.
The cost of living may also vary based on where your assignment is specifically. For instance, the Boston and Cape Cod areas will be higher compared to central and western Massachusetts. The cost of living will be even higher on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. It can be helpful to take the higher cost of living into consideration when negotiating your travel contract, especially for housing costs.
OK, now that you have a better grasp of what hospitals and specialties are in the area, let’s take a closer look at some of the pros and cons of travel nursing in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts is rated as the second-best state for healthcare in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. As a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to be part of high-quality and cutting-edge patient care, which may include new technology and new treatments for patients.
Massachusetts has a very high proportion of colleges and universities compared to other states, which may explain why many of the hospitals in the area are teaching and research hospitals. Working in academic-based facilities could mean that you can be on the ground level for new breakthroughs, discoveries, and treatments.
Massachusetts is a major travel hub for other cities in the United States, as well as for international travel. It will be easy for you to visit cities like New York by train or even take an international trip from Logan Airport.
As one of the original 13 colonies of the United States, Massachusetts is full of historic sites to explore including Plymouth Rock, the home of Paul Revere, and the world’s oldest still-floating ship—the USS Constitution—just to name a few.
The beaches of Cape Cod are synonymous with the natural beauty of Massachusetts and are a popular destination for travelers. You will also find beauty inland, such as in Western Massachusetts, home to the Berkshire Mountains, which are part of the Appalachian Mountains.
Next up, the cons to consider before booking a travel contract. (Although to be fair, the beauty of travel nursing is that nothing is permanent, so even the worst assignment might only last 13 weeks at max!)
Massachusetts is not currently a nursing compact license state, which means you will need a Massachusetts nursing license to work as a travel nurse there. However, if you plan ahead and have your license ready to go, there may be less competition for travel jobs than in compact states.
Winter in Massachusetts can be very cold and bring the risk of severe winter storms. Still, if you’re a snow lover or just want a change of pace, there are many outdoor activities such as skiing, ice skating, and sledding to enjoy during the winter.
The cost of living in Massachusetts is higher as compared to other states. Massachusetts also has a state income tax, so you will pay state income tax on the money you make in Massachusetts, even though you are not a permanent resident. This is likely to be reflected in the compensation that is offered to you as a travel nurse.
While Boston has many great hospitals to work in, the area can be very congested, and parking can be expensive or non-existent. For this reason, Boston is known for having excellent public transportation.
While this is a subjective “con,” it might help to be aware going in that Massachusetts natives do not have a reputation for being particularly welcoming to travelers. Big7Travel.com ranked Massachusetts as the 47th friendliest state out of 50.
Wondering what there is to do on your day off as a travel nurse in Massachusetts? Fortunately, there is no end to the fun that can be had in this state. From local parks where you can soak up nature or see classic sights, here are some suggestions for what to do in Massachusetts.
When most people think of Massachusetts, they think of the capital city, Boston. Boston is a great place to visit while traveling or to have as your home base. Here are some sights we recommend:
Located only seven miles off the coast of Massachusetts, Martha’s Vineyard is a popular tourist destination. If you’re staying in Boston, it’s possible to visit on a day trip.
If Martha’s Vineyard isn’t your style, swing over to Nantucket, another popular island destination, and an easy day trip from Cape Cod.
Both Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are great locations to go whale watching. Peak whale season is from March to December, and many areas will offer whale-watching cruises and trips.
Central and Western Massachusetts is home to activities such as skiing, whitewater rafting, and hiking. The New England Trail alone spans 215 miles of hiking through Connecticut and Massachusetts. You can choose to hike the entire trail or spend a day on many smaller trails that make up the New England Trail. Or, just find a local park that offers trails for something on a little less grand scale.
Massachusetts has seemingly endless opportunities for travel nurses, both in the hospital and outside of it. As a travel nurse, you can visit a variety of cities, landscapes, and sights on days off and weekend trips while still working at some of the nation’s best hospitals.
But remember, Massachusetts is not a compact license state, so if you’re interested in working there, be sure to start applying for your license now so you can secure the assignment you want.
Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in Massachusetts!
If you desire a travel assignment that also offers a wide range of outdoor activities and interesting attractions, travel nursing in Kentucky might be exactly up your alley! From the beautiful rolling hills of horse country to the bustling cities of Louisville and Lexington, there’s something for everyone. You can spend your days off doing exciting outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and kayaking. Or peruse the city’s many historical sites, entertainment venues, world-class art galleries, or bourbon tastings.
Did we forget to mention Kentucky’s mouthwatering barbeque? Fun and food aside, travel nursing in Kentucky has its monetary benefits as well. According to ZipRecruiter, as of March 2023, the median annual salary of travel nurses in Kentucky is $92,813, just shy of $50/hr! Although that is slightly below Ziprecruter’s median nationwide travel nurse salary of $106,030, Kentucky also offers a significantly lower cost of living than most other US states. That means your money will stretch much further there.
Looking for travel nurse assignments in Kentucky? Speak with a recruiter today!
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Kentucky pays nurses an annual median salary of $67,260 or $32/hr. That is below the national median annual wage of $77,600. However, travel nurses in Kentucky may find contracts that offer much more due to staffing shortages or crisis needs.
That may also be why, according to Indeed.com, travel nurses in Kentucky earn an average of $2,463 per week. Here are the highest-paying cities for travel nurses in Kentucky:
| City | Hourly Wage | Weekly Wage | Monthly Wage |
| Hazard | $62.57 | $2,671 | $10,337 |
| Lexington | $62.38 | $2,481 | $10,305 |
| Louisville | $57.47 | $2,454 | $9,494 |
| Pikeville | $56.51 | $2,413 | $9,337 |
| Prestonburg | $55.81 | $2,383 | $9,221 |
Kentucky has a wide variety of hospitals and healthcare centers that serve the needs of its residents. This includes a mix of top-rated university medical centers, community hospitals, and smaller rural facilities.
It is important to understand that travel nurse income can vary widely depending on the following factors:
ZipRecruiter reports that Kentucky ranks 34 out of 50 states across the nation for travel nurse salaries. The travel nurse pay range in Kentucky ranges widely across the state, and there is a wide range of opportunities based on experience, specialty, and skill level. Keep in mind that travel nurse salaries can change quickly as staffing needs change.
According to ZipRecruiter, these are the highest-paying specialties in Kentucky:
Near or far – find the right travel nurse assignment for you.
Kentucky has 120 hospitals across the state. Of those, six meet U.S. News and World Report’s high standard qualifications. Here are the top five hospitals in the Bluegrass State:
St. Elizabeth Healthcare Edgewood-Covington Hospitals are a part of St. Elizabeth Healthcare, an award-winning network of hospitals and healthcare centers in the Greater Cincinnati area.
Services available include emergency care, primary care, cardiovascular care, cancer treatments, surgical services, pediatric services, and behavioral health services. The Edgewood-Covington hospitals are proudly recognized as Magnet Designated hospitals by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for excellence in nursing care.
University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital is a teaching hospital in Lexington and is tied with St. Elizabeth Healthcare as the #1 hospital in Kentucky. This 600-bed hospital has been providing comprehensive medical care for more than 70 years and is one of the largest healthcare complexes in Central and Eastern Kentucky. The hospital offers various services, including emergency medicine, cardiology, oncology, and obstetrics/gynecology.
The evaluation of this university hospital also includes information collected from Kentucky Childrens Hospital and the UK Health Good Samaritan Hospital.
Baptist Health Lexington Hospital is a 434-bed tertiary care hospital and major medical research and education facility. It is the flagship of Baptist Health, an integrated health system with eight hospitals and more than 120 outpatient centers across the state, along with an additional hospital located in Kentucky. The hospital offers various medical services, including cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, obstetrics, and gynecology.
Baptist Health Louisville is a 519-bed hospital located in Lexington, Kentucky, and is a part of the same health system as Baptist Health in Lexington. This facility offers a wide range of healthcare services in cancer care, diabetes, endocrinology, heart care, orthopedics, and neurology, just to name a few. Baptist Health Louisville also has innovative technologies like robotic-assisted surgery and a high-tech intensive care unit for advanced medical treatments.
Norton Hospitals are general medical and surgical facilities in Louisville and are rated high-performing in 9 adult procedures. This evaluation also includes data from four facilities: Norton Audubon Hospital, Norton Brownsboro Hospital, Norton Healthcare Pavilion, and Norton Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
If you are considering taking a travel nursing assignment in Kentucky, you may already know that the state has a lower cost of living than the U.S. average. According to Kentucky.gov, the cost of living in Kentucky is 11.4% lower than the U.S. average. Fortunately, this also means that your dollars should stretch farther than they would in most U.S. States.
The two major cities in Kentucky are Lexington and Louisville. Prospective renters and homeowners should know that these bustling cities have many affordable options. According to Rent.com:
BestPlaces.net has a cost-of-living index based on a US average of 100. This means anything above 100 equals a higher cost of living, and below 100 equals a lower cost of living compared to the rest of the nation. Bestplaces.net reports that Kentucky has an overall cost of living of 82.3, much lower than the national average. This is great news if you want to earn higher wages as a travel nurse but maintain a lower cost of living.
Here is a rundown of the cost of living based on a US average of 100, according to BestPlaces.net:
*Our cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. An amount below 100 means Kentucky is cheaper than the US average. A cost of living index above 100 means Kentucky is more expensive. BestPlaces.net
Before taking the plunge and accepting a travel nursing assignment in Kentucky, it is wise to weigh the pros and cons.
There are so many exciting and fun activities to take advantage of during your travel assignment in Kentucky. Take a look at these fun adventures:
Outdoor
Art and Music
Theaters
If we haven’t clarified already, Kentucky is an awesome place for your next travel assignment! The Bluegrass State is well-known for its vibrant cities, rolling hills, outdoor activities, and friendly people. Not to mention that it’s home to some of the best bourbon, horse racing, and bluegrass music in the world. And Kentucky has a significantly lower cost of living compared with the rest of the nation to boot. Best of all, for those looking for a little bit of Southern hospitality, Kentucky has it in spades!
Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in Kentucky!
If you are looking for a travel contract full of a wide variety of day-off adventures, then you might need to place South Carolina at the top of your list. This state is full of diverse landscapes from rolling mountains, to well-known beaches. You can spend your days off visiting historical sights and immersing yourself in educational and cultural opportunities while also having the option to play outside and see something different every day.
Take advantage of living close to fun destinations such as Hilton Head, plan a fishing trip on the Atlantic, enjoy culinary treasures in Charleston, take a scenic drive along the Oscar Wigington Scenic Byway, and enjoy being surrounded by authentic Southern hospitality around every corner. Although some of the travel contracts might not compete on paper with other higher-paying contracts across the country, the cost of living in South Carolina will help keep that paycheck around for longer.
Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in South Carolina!
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, South Carolina pays nurses an average of $69,580 a year which puts them just above 25% when compared to the rest of the country. You may find higher-paying jobs in the larger states where there are more specialties. However, you can also find several higher-paying contracts in rural areas due to increased need.
Based on information from Indeed.com, travel nurses can make up to $2,260 a week while traveling in South Carolina. The highest-paying cities are as follows:
| City | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly |
| Clinton | $92 | $3,313 | $13,252 |
| Columbia | $87 | $3,154 | $12,616 |
| Greenwood | $83 | $3,020 | $12,080 |
| Greenville | $80 | $2,900 | $11,600 |
| Charleston | $76 | $2,734 | $10,936 |
South Carolina has a great mix of larger cities with university hospitals, as well as many rural and smaller community hospitals. However, as with most of the United States, the nurses that get paid the most are the ones in the most specialized units.
Cardiac nurses and OR nurses have led the salary train in the past few years, having the potential to bring in the biggest paychecks. In states and cities that have larger pediatric hospitals, specialty pediatric units can also offer higher salaries, especially in the winter months when flu and RSV can run rampant with the pediatric demographic. As of winter 2023, the top-paying specialties in South Carolina are as follows:
Find available travel nursing assignments in South Carolina!
Although Charleston houses the largest and most well-known hospital in the region, the state has multiple nationally-ranked hospitals. These hospitals provide care and opportunities to locals and travelers across their state, and many of them have specialties that can compete across the nation. The top five hospitals in South Carolina according to US News are as follows.
If you are looking to take a travel contract in South Carolina, you have probably already discovered that many of the pay rates seem lower than other states are offering. However, with the lower paycheck comes lower rent and reduced cost of groceries when compared to other states. According to Apartment List, South Carolina has a lower cost of living than the national average. They estimate that a 1 bedroom house would rent on average anywhere from $934 to $1,481 depending on the city.
South Carolina also has myriad public bus options to help facilitate longer travel around the state, but prices will add up if that is your primary means of transportation. However, gas prices in South Carolina are significantly lower than the national average as The Palmetto State ranks in the top 5 cheapest states for gasoline for cars. Overall, living in South Carolina can dramatically decrease your overall cost of living spending. However, with its rise in popularity, cities such as Charleston will cost substantially more than the more rural regions.
If you take a contract close to the coast, your days off will be full of bathing in the sun and living life along the Atlantic. From Charleston to Myrtle Beach, there are hundreds of small pullouts and beaches to explore. Charter a fishing boat for a day, learn to kite surf, book a stay at Hilton Head, and ask locals what their favorite days off activities are.
You could also take some time to freshen up on your American History and visit some of the many battle sites or war memorials such as Fort Sumter National Monument. Many former plantations have been restored and turned into beautiful historical landmarks that now offer educational opportunities. Spend a long weekend and travel into the mountains, rent a bike, and cruise down new paths and treat your hard work with some world-renowned barbeque. Spend a day in the historic Charleston district and explore the arts and culture that run vibrantly through the streets. Most of all, enjoy your days off living and learning new experiences that are around every corner in South Carolina.
South Carolina is a state that more or less has it all. From the serene beaches on the east to the mountains and hills on the west, you can find large cities and quaint towns. Enjoy living in a culture that could be very different from your home, and take advantage of the warm southern hospitality. Spend your winters in South Carolina exploring the outdoors and your summers cooling off at the beach. South Carolina is full of potential and will be sure to bring endless memories that will last a lifetime.
Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in South Carolina!
Ohio is a state filled with rich culture, diverse populations, urban cities, and serene rural living. This is a state where locals bleed the colors of their home teams, and it blends the Midwestern comfort and charm with bits of East Coast history. Ohio is surrounded by 5 other states and shares a border with Lake Erie, making it a central hub for many different travel adventures.
One of the benefits of taking a travel contract in Ohio is that your money will go further as it ranks 9% below the national average in cost of living. There are job opportunities ranging from higher-paying specialties in larger hospitals to rural critical access hospitals to accommodate a plethora of interests.
Depending on the current needs of the hospitals, most specialties including NICU, L&D, CVOR, CVICU, PICU, Oncology, and Interventional Radiology all have opportunities to work in Ohio. With a lower cost of living, many of the travel contracts remain competitively priced compared to the rest of the country which would result in a larger take-home sum for the nurse.
Looking for open travel nurse assignments in Ohio? Speak with a recruiter today!
According to Indeed.com, travel nurses are currently making an average of $2,353 per week by working the standard 36-hour work week in Ohio. Even though this is the quoted average weekly rate, some of the current job positions are paying much more. With a lower cost of living than the national average, this money will go much farther, especially in more remote locations.
Indeed.com provides current travel nurse contracts in Ohio at competitive rates compared to the rest of America.
Akron, OH
Columbus, OH
Dayton, OH
Canton, OH
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
The highest-paying contracts in Ohio will all typically be found in the larger cities, and will usually involve specialty units. If you have the ability to work in a specialty, the pay vs. the cost of living in Ohio could be extremely beneficial for you. Here is a current look at the highest-paying specialties with their weekly pay in Ohio.
Speak with a recruiter today about your next assignment!
Out of the 217 hospitals in the state, 19 of them met US News’ high standards and were ranked in order of their quality. The following are the top five ranked hospitals in Ohio.
Location: Cincinnati
High Performing: 4 Specialties and 14 Procedures/Conditions
The cost of living in Ohio varies based on which part of the state you live in. As with most places, rent in an urban area will cost more than it will in the more rural regions of the state.
Overall, Ohio has roughly 9% lower cost of living than the rest of America. This becomes extremely important and obvious with housing prices. Ohio’s housing is 23% lower than the rest of America which is quite substantial. According to BestPlaces.net, a 1 bedroom house/apartment costs $695 monthly in Ohio compared to the national average of $1048. Basic food and other necessities lie just around the average line. With all the factors combined, Ohio can lead to a profitable contract for travel nurses.
Ohio is full of fun events to fill your days off. It is highly known for its variety of incredible amusement parks, most notably Cedar Point for the roller coaster fanatics. The state also has professional baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer teams that you can cheer on. This could end up being such a fun way to get to know coworkers whether it is by going to a game, or finding a local sports bar and watching some games over a beer.
Unless you are familiar with Ohio, you might not realize that it is the 6th largest wine-producing area in the United States and has over 300 wineries! So grab your friends, plan a little day trip, and sip your way across the state. Then head over to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and take a journey through time and listen to some blasts from the past.
Ohio is a hidden gem of a state. Although it consistently has to fight for its name due to the large rivalry it has with Michigan, Ohio has some amazing qualities. There are ample job opportunities for travelers at the moment, and they even can be quite lucrative. Ohio provides a wide range of activities and day-off adventures that could lead to a memorable travel nursing contract.
Speak with a recruiter today about travel nursing positions in Ohio!
When you first think of travel nursing, your mind may wander to spending your time off on the beaches of Hawaii or Florida, seeing a Broadway show in New York, or visiting a national park in California. However, Tennessee should also be one of the top states on your list.
Tennessee truly has it all: beautiful mountain scenery during all four seasons, a vibrant live music scene, world-class food, historic sites, and several top healthcare facilities to work in. And whether you’re looking to care for patients in an urban environment or go more rural, Tennessee will let you choose, thanks to a variety of patient populations and environments.
Fortunately, if your interest is piqued, the demand for travel nurses in Tennessee is high with thousands of well-paying travel nurse jobs currently listed on job search sites. According to Indeed, the average travel nurse salary in Tennessee is currently $2,122 per week. And when you’re not working, Tennessee will allow you to explore the world around you and enjoy some downtime – something every nurse needs!
Looking for travel nurse assignments in Tennessee? Speak with a recruiter today!
The average travel nurse salary in Tennessee is currently $49.43 per hour, or $2,122 per week, and $8,166 per month, according to Indeed. Like many areas, some cities in Tennessee will pay more than others.
Here are the top-paying specialties in Tennessee, according to Indeed:
Hospice and palliative care are not often thought of as common travel nurse specialties. However, these travel nurses are paid an average of 28.46% more than the average base salary in Tennessee. There are currently 17 job openings for these specialties in Tennessee, and it is an area that will continue to be high in demand.
Labor and delivery travel nurses are paid an average of 21.49% more than the average base salary in Tennessee. If you apply for a job in L&D, you’ll also want to be sure you have your NRP and Fetal Monitoring Certifications updated, as that will net you the highest-paid position as well as more opportunities. There are currently 83 job openings in L&D in Tennessee.
Telemetry travel nurses are paid an average of 15.56% more than the average base salary in Tennessee. There are currently 84 job openings.
Pediatric travel nurses are paid an average of 10.49% more than the average base salary in Tennessee. There are currently 62 job openings.
OR travel nurses are paid an average of 8.37% more than the average base salary in Tennessee. There are currently 78 job openings.
Also in the running for top-paying specialties in Tennessee are Med-Surg nurses and ICU nurses, who are paid a higher than the average base salary in Tennessee. There are currently 134 and 182 job openings in these specialties, respectively.
Near or far – find the right travel nurse assignment for you.
The leader in hospital rankings, U.S. News and World Report, most recently evaluated 129 hospitals in Tennessee. They ranked the top hospitals in Tennessee as:
VUMC is easily the most well-known hospital in Tennessee, with good reason. It is nationally ranked in 9 adult specialties and in 10 pediatric specialties. Some opportunities for travel nurses at VUMC include working in a level 1 trauma and burn center and caring for transplant patients.
In fact, VUMC does the most heart transplants of any transplant center in the world, according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). Nursing at VUMC has also been awarded magnet designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which is a key indicator showing the quality of nursing care provided at VUMC.
If you have been curious about what it is like to work at a faith-based hospital, Ascension Saint Thomas could give you this opportunity. Ascension works to incorporate spiritual wellness into the care of patients and staff in addition to caring for physical health.
Ascension Saint Thomas is also known for its heart and kidney transplant programs. Ascension Saint Thomas is highly ranked for positive post-heart transplant outcomes, which explains why its heart transplant volume has been consistently growing. There are also opportunities to take care of patients using Advanced Ventricular Devices.
Baptist Memorial Hospital is the second largest hospital in Tennessee after VUMC, with 706 beds. Its campus spans 80 acres and 22 different hospitals and all together, healthcare professionals there care for one of the highest patient volumes in the entire state.
Baptist is currently offering nurses a 16-week assignment with a rate of up to $70.00 per hour and a completion bonus of up to $3,000.
CHI Memorial’s commitment to excellent nursing care is evident in its support of nursing education with multiple scholarships available, support for nurses to receive national board certification, and shared governance councils focused on improving patient outcomes through improved patient care. The experience of a travel nurse is greatly impacted by interactions with other staff nurses. Any program that improves nursing at a hospital, in general, will also have a positive impact on you as a travel nurse.
The website for Parkwest Medical Center is treatedwell.com, which is a great motto for how this hospital system cares for both its patients and its staff. Most nurses are familiar with the DAISY award, which is an international program to recognize nurses. Parkwest actually developed the BEE award, to recognize other healthcare professionals vital to patient care, such as patient care assistants.
This award celebrates how nurses and other healthcare providers rely on each other to provide excellent patient care. When a healthcare organization takes the time to recognize employees involved in all aspects of patient care, you can be assured they will recognize your work as a travel nurse. As any travel nurse knows all too well, teamwork is everything in healthcare, so we love to see the full scope of team members recognized and it could be a good indicator of how you would be treated as a travel nurse at this facility.
Using 100 as an average cost of living index in the United States, the Tennessee cost of living is 89.9, according to BestPlaces.net, which also offers a cost of living comparison calculator between cities.
This means that the average cost of living in Tennessee is less than the average of other areas in the United States. Specifically, the cost of housing is especially low with an index of 79.4. The cost of food is relatively higher than housing but still falls below average with an index of 94.5. The cost of transportation is also low with an index of 90.2.
While the travel nurse salaries offered in other states such as California may seem appealing, it is very important to take the cost of living into consideration. You’ll make more if you can save on living expenses, especially if your travel nursing contract allows you to choose your own housing with a stipend because you can pocket any remainder you may have.
Of course, taking on a travel nursing position in any state will come with some pros and cons, so here are some considerations to make when looking at becoming a travel nurse in Tennessee.
This means that if a nurse holds a nursing license in another compact state, they do not need a specific Tennessee license to work as a travel nurse in Tennessee. This makes it easier to try travel nursing in Tennessee without extra steps on your part if you already have a nursing license in a compact state.
The low cost of living in Tennessee means that your travel nurse money will go further. Many nurses travel with future goals in mind such as financial independence and early retirement. You will be able to save more if you earn more through traveling in a low-cost-of-living state.
Tennessee is one of only nine states with no state income tax. Therefore, any money you make in Tennessee will not be subjected to Tennessee income tax. This will help you keep more of your paycheck for your future goals. (Remember, you may still have to pay taxes on any of your earnings through your home state, however.)
Tennessee has a central location, which makes it easy to travel to other areas to visit home, other family and friends, or even take trips when you have consecutive days off.
Tennessee has relatively mild weather, including mild winters for all you snow-averse nurses. However, this state still gives you the ability to experience all four seasons, which can be a fun change for nurses who haven’t lived that before.
Of course, no area is perfect, so here are some potential drawbacks to consider before signing your next travel contract.
While Tennessee has many outdoor spaces to explore, it is ultimately a landlocked state, and you will need to vacation somewhere else to enjoy a traditional beach vacation. However, Tennessee is also home to many beautiful lakes where you can still enjoy the water.
According to U.S. News and World Report, Tennessee ranks #40 in the country for best states for healthcare. However, in spite of that ranking, as a travel nurse in Tennessee, you can be part of improving the quality of care for patients in this state by providing high-quality nursing care.
Despite having relatively mild weather overall, Tennessee is also known for its humidity, especially in the summer. If you plan on working in the summer, it might also be a great time to visit the mountains to enjoy the higher altitude.
Tennessee is also in an area of the United States at higher risk for tornadoes. It will be important for travel nurses unfamiliar with tornadoes to know what to do in the event of a tornado. The locals can also give you some of the rundown on what to do if the sirens go off.
Tennessee is home to a specific type of chicken dish, commonly called Hot Chicken or Nashville Hot Chicken. Once you and your visitors taste this specific variety of fried chicken, odds are, you’ll never be the same.
There is no shortage of activities to do on your days off throughout the state of Tennessee. Here are just a few things you can look forward to during your time in Tennessee.
Of course, no visit to Tennessee would be complete without spending some time in the state’s capital, Nashville. Known as “Music City,” Nashville is home to historic country music venues such as the Grand Ole Opry House. Interestingly, some street signs in Nashville play country music when you are waiting to cross the street.
Don’t forget to stop in at Broadway, an area in downtown Nashville known for live country music. This would be a uniquely Nashville place to take friends or family while they are visiting or to explore on your own or with new friends made while traveling.
Some other popular venues to explore are Robert’s Western World and Little Red Corvette. A few restaurants serving great hot chicken: Dinos, Prince’s Hot Chicken, and Hattie B’s.
Nashville is not the only great city that Tennessee has to offer. Memphis is where you’ll find Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. The National Civil Rights Museum is also in Memphis at the former Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Sun Studio, known as the “Birthplace of Rock & Roll,” is where legendary musicians such as Elvis and Johnny Cash were first discovered.
Just south of Knoxville, you will find Pigeon Forge which is home to Dollywood. This amusement park is owned by Dolly Parton herself, and has been voted the #1 amusement park in the United States by TripAdvisor. Pigeon Forge is also home to the Titanic Museum, which contains artifacts from the actual Titanic.
No stay in Tennessee would be complete without stopping by the most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Located between North Carolina and Tennessee, the two main locations in Tennessee for accessing the park are Gatlinburg and Townsend.
The Smoky Mountains can be enjoyed during all four seasons, too. For instance, you can hike part of the Appalachian Trail in the Smoky Mountains and enjoy the beautiful wildflowers through the spring and summer. Likewise, the changing leaves in the fall are magnificent, and hiking in winter is even possible, as long as you are prepared and check the conditions.
Whether you are just starting to think about travel nursing or are a seasoned traveler, Tennessee has so much to offer travel nurses, both in the hospital and out of it. Given the modest size of the state, it is possible to see many different cities and sights on weekend trips.
The state boasts beautiful nature, diverse cities and experiences, endless opportunities for travel nurses, and a low cost of living, so you can gain both professionally and personally by becoming a Tennessee travel nurse.
Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in Tennessee!
Georgia is well-known for its delicious peaches and southern hospitality. But the state also has so many other incredible attributes that draw travel nurses from across the country.
Georgia has a moderate climate year-round with mild winters, warm summers, a variety of gorgeous flower blossoms in the spring, and earthy autumns. For those who love the great outdoors, Georgia is a natural fit. Popular Georgia outdoor activities include hiking the Appalachian Trail, whitewater rafting on the Chattahoochee River, or spending time on the beautiful Atlantic coastline.
Fortunately, the demand for travel nurses in Georgia is high! ZipRecruiter reports that the average travel nurse salary in Georgia is $92,278 annually or $44.36/hr.
If you are ready to explore the great state of Georgia for travel contracts, keep reading for more information!
Looking for travel nurse assignments in Georgia? Speak with a recruiter today!
This is a big perk and part of why you’re considering travel nursing in Georgia, right? So how much can you expect to bring home if you take a travel nursing job in Georgia? Well, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses in Georgia earn an average annual salary of $75,380, which is slightly lower than the national average of $77,600.
Indeed.com reports an average base salary of $2,214 per week, or $51.85/hr, with weekly salaries ranging between $1,551 and $3,159. Top-paying cities in Georgia include Cumming, Canton, Milledgeville, Gainesville, and Savannah.
| City | Hourly Wage | Weekly Wage | Monthly Wage |
| Cumming | $58.22 | $2,486 | $9,618 |
| Canton | $58.12 | $2,481 | $9,602 |
| Milledgeville | $58.03 | $2,478 | $9,588 |
| Gainesville | $50.48 | $2,155 | $8,322 |
| Savannah | $50.37 | $2,151 | $8,322 |
Travel nurse income can vary wildly depending on several factors including:
Travel nurses can find consistent nursing assignments across the state of Georgia, no matter the season. However, it is important to mention that no matter what specialty you work in, the highest-paying travel nurses tend to work in Atlanta. This is because Atlanta is where the largest and top hospitals in the state are located. They also tend to have more travel assignments available because of the size of the hospitals.
According to ZipRecruiter, the highest-paying travel nursing specialties in the state of Georgia include:
Find open positions today for your specialty.
Georgia has 172 hospitals across the state. Of those, 13 meet U.S. News and World Report’s high standard qualifications. Here are the top five hospitals in the Peach State.
1. Emory University Hospital – Emory University Hospital is one of the nation’s leading hospitals in cardiology and heart surgery, neurology, cancer, and other specialties. The university is also a Magnet-designated hospital.
2. Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital – Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital is Atlanta’s first faith-based and longest-serving hospital over the last 140 years.
3. Northside Hospital Atlanta – Northside Hospital in Atlanta opened as a smaller hospital in 1970 and has now expanded to 621 beds and more than 12,000 employees.
4. Piedmont Atlanta Hospital – Located in Buckhead, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital is a private and not-for-profit hospital and a top-acute community hospital in metro Atlanta with 643 beds.
5. Emory University Hospital Midtown – Formerly known as Emory Crawford Long Hospital, Emory University Midtown is a 531-bed hospital that offers high-level medical care across 28 specialties.
Cost of living refers to the cost of maintaining a specific standard of living across different geographical areas and is an important factor to consider when planning your next travel assignment.
Fortunately, according to BestPlaces.net, the average cost of living in Georgia is less than the US average, with a cost of living rate of 94.5. A rating greater than 100 means that the location in question is more expensive than the national average. Keep in mind that this average includes the entire state.
Payscale reports that the overall cost of living in the city of Atlanta is 5% higher than the national average, with housing costing 12% more than the national average. The higher cost of living in Atlanta is because it is a populated urban area and the largest city in the state. Most areas across Georgia are more suburban or urban and have a lower cost of living.
If you take a travel assignment in Georgia but outside of Atlanta, BestPlaces.net reports a lower cost of living across the board, including grocery bills, healthcare, and median home cost. However, Georgia as a whole has a slightly higher cost for some other living expenses, such as utilities and transportation.
| City | National Average | Median Home Price | Median Monthly Rent | Average Energy Bill |
| Atlanta | 5% higher | $444,208 | $1,357 | $143.66 |
| Augusta- Richmond County | 13% lower | $271,306 | $828.78 | $159.87 |
| Columbus | 14% lower | $277,282 | $847.03 | $114.83 |
| Savannah | 11% lower | $282,062 | $861.64 | $161.07 |
Before deciding on a travel assignment in any location, it is wise to take a look at some of the positive and negative aspects so that you are clear about what you are getting yourself into. Everyone has different priorities. Just because one travel nurse enjoyed their experience at one hospital or city does not mean that every other nurse will feel the same.
Take inventory of what you value most in a travel assignment. You can take a look at some of the pros and cons of travel nursing in Georgia to see if it’s the right choice for you.
1. There is an abundance of travel assignments – According to the Georgia Hospital Association, travel nurses make up as much as 60% or more of staff across all of the hospitals in the state.
2. Georgia has mild winters – For travel nurses who don’t want to have to deal with snowstorms and long, cold winters, Georgia may be the perfect spot. Temperatures in GA rarely go below freezing, and the weather is typically mild throughout the year.
3. The state has great sports teams – If spending time watching sports is important to you, you’ll be happy to know that Georgia has a number of fan-favorite sports teams including:
4. Lower cost of living than most US states – If your goal as a travel nurse is to find inexpensive housing and save money during your assignment, Georgia may be a great fit!
5. Georgia offers excellent outdoor adventure for people who love to spend time in nature – The state offers numerous hiking trails (including the Appalachian Trail), luscious green mountains, and beautiful beaches.
1. There may be an overabundance of travel assignments – This is great news for travel nurses in terms of high opportunity. However, some travel nurses may wonder why the administration in these hospitals can’t hold onto their career nurses. Having so many travel nurses is not a good long-term financial, morale, or even in some cases, patient-care strategy.
2. Georgia has consistent humidity – Although the weather is relativity mild in Georgia, the air tends to be humid, making temperatures feel much hotter than they actually are. If Georgia is the place you want to be, ensure you keep a water bottle with you at all times in the summer to prevent dehydration.
3. Bad traffic in cities such as Atlanta – If sitting in traffic to get to the hospital isn’t your cup of tea, this is an important consideration. You may want to find housing close to your facility so you don’t spend hours a day sitting in a car while commuting to work.
4. Georgia has limited public transportation – Another reason to live close to your travel assignment, especially if you won’t have a car during your travels.
5. The south has longer allergy seasons – Southern states, including Georgia, have longer allergy seasons than the rest of the country, partly due to the region’s moderate weather and warmer winters. If allergies are an issue for you, Georgia may not be the right place for your next travel assignment.
There are so many popular, fun, and unique things to do in the state of Georgia. Take a look at these popular activities:
Outdoor:
Art and Music:
Theater:
Working in the Peach State gives travel nurses a taste of southern hospitality and charm they may not see in other areas of the country.
One of the best things about Georgia is that it has a little of just about everything. There are lush mountains, charming lakes, and 110 miles of beautiful Atlantic coastline all within driving distance. Georgia also has a thriving, diverse nightlife for travel nurses to meet people and have fun.
If you are looking to explore a new state known for its laid-back atmosphere and delicious foodie culture, a travel assignment in Georgia just might be an awesome experience for you!
Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in Georgia!
