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June 19, 2023
The “Land of 10,000 Lakes” might be your next destination to take a travel contract if you have a strong sense of adventure, a desire to work at some great hospitals, and the desire to dive into a warm and welcoming culture. This state has everything to offer from outdoor activities to big city entertainment with the charm and comfort of a small Midwestern town. No matter what season you choose to visit this state, you can still find activities to participate in and arts and culture to envelop your free time.
With the Twin Cities’ large population and diversity, there are many options for travel contracts. Whether you have a unique specialty or work in the mainline nursing industry, this state has plenty to offer with its range of cities and rural towns. Currently, there is a wide range of jobs posted that are grossing over $3,000 a week for a 36 hour/week contract.
Looking for travel nurse assignments in Minnesota? Speak with a recruiter today!
In a world where travel nursing pay varies so greatly and so quickly, Minnesota continues to pay nurses an average of $2,309 a week according to Indeed.com. As always, this number highly depends on the specialty, location, and designated amount of hours worked per week. Compared to the rest of the country, Minnesota is offering mid-range weekly pay which aligns well with their average cost of living. The highest-paying cities in Minnesota according to Indeed.com are listed below.
One of the great things about travel nursing in Minnesota is that the state houses one of the most world-renowned hospital systems, the Mayo Clinic. There is also a handful of other large hospital systems that provide many options for nursing specialties to search for jobs. As always, specialty units typically have a higher demand and thus pay better. As of the summer of 2023, these are the top-paying specialties based on current contracts for a 36-hour week.
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
Out of the 139 hospitals in the state, 11 met US News’ high standards, and they ranked them in order of their quality. The following are the top five ranked hospitals in Minnesota.
1. Mayo Clinic
2. Abbott Northwestern Hospital
3. CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital
4. Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital
5. Essential Health – St. Mary’s Medical Center
The cost of living in Minnesota ranks in the “very average” category when compared to the rest of the country. As a matter of fact, it actually is ranked at number 26 in cost of living from a 2022 survey which makes it quite literally right in the middle compared with the rest of the 52 states. Everything from housing, food, utilities, and basic costs of living rank right in the middle in terms of average cost.
If you plan on taking a travel contract in one of the bigger cities, you can always expect to pay more for housing than you would in the rural cities. Currently, an unfurnished 1-bedroom apartment in a city center will cost around $1,286 per month in rent as opposed to $1,051 in a more rural area of the state. Public transportation is available in large cities, but since most of the state is not in the city and many travelers will go out and explore, having your own vehicle will be important. The average gas price for the state right now is $3.47/gallon.
With lots of lakes and state parks to explore, there is always something you can be doing outdoors. Take some coworkers up on their invitation to go to the lake and learn new skills like wakeboarding, water skiing, or just simple tubing. And, you can’t take a travel contract in Minnesota without going to the Mall of America at least once. With miles of stores and 8 roller coasters, this is a must in your day-off adventures.
Depending on the season, you should make sure to enjoy going to a Twins, Vikings, or even Minnesota Wild game. If you don’t want to go to them in person, there are plenty of diehard fans who would make watching the games at a local pub even more enjoyable. If sports aren’t quite your fancy, then take a day trip and go explore some of the beautiful natural wonders like Split Rock Lighthouse or Gooseberry Falls State Park. There are plenty of wonderful sights to see, and local museums and treasures hidden around this state.
Minnesota might not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of your next travel contract. But if you choose the right time of year depending on your weather preference, it can lead to an incredible experience. With a very average cost of living, you can still make a pretty penny while traveling here. And, you can have a handful of opportunities to choose from since there are several major cities in this state. Start preparing your “you betcha”s and see what this Midwestern state has to offer.
