2024 Travel Nurse Salary + Job Outlook

msn travel nursing salary

Travel nurses work in specific locations for limited and usually predetermined timeframes of anywhere from 13 to 16 weeks. Though they may work in any type of facility – hospitals, doctors’ offices, and long-term care facilities – they get to choose where they work, which helps prevent boredom. Travel nurses also earn handsome salaries that rival the average salaries of BSN-educated registered nurses (RNs). Here, you will learn more about the average travel nurse salary and what you can expect if you choose this exciting career path.

How Much Does a Travel Nurse Make?

Salary for different types of travel nurses, what other benefits will you receive as a travel nurse, how to boost your travel nurse salary, 10 best states to work for travel nurses + salary, travel nurse salary by state – highest to lowest, travel nurse salary by city, what are the 10 best travel nursing agencies to work for in the united states, what does the future look like for travel nursing jobs.

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msn travel nursing salary

Home / Master’s of Science in Nursing – MSN Degree Programs / MSN Salary – Here is What to Expect

MSN Salary – Here is What to Expect

The Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree allows registered nurses to move into advanced practice nursing positions with higher pay and more opportunity for career growth. MSN programs offer nurses the option of several different career pathways, including roles as nurse practitioners, nurse executives, and nurse educators. Along with increased job responsibilities, these positions also come with higher average salaries.

How Much Do MSN Nurses Make?

Msn salary per hour, salaries of msn specialties.

msn travel nursing salary

Salary Comparison Tool

This tool will allow you to easily search and compare the average salaries of nurses for many cities and locations across the U.S. You can search by city and state. Salary data is provided through the BLS.

Select Career Type

Select state, select city.

The current mean annual salary for MSN-educated nurses nationwide is $93,000, according to data provided by PayScale.com. However, individual salary levels can vary based on a number of factors, including:

Geographic Location

Geographic location and local cost of living is a primary factor influencing salary levels. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), California and Alaska offer the highest annual salaries to nurse practitioners of any state, and Tennessee and Alabama offer the lowest annual salaries.

Nurse Practitioner Salary Table

Type of employer.

Advanced practice nurses with their MSN degrees can work in a number of settings, including hospitals, in-patient and outpatient care facilities, private practices and the offices of other physicians and government and non-profit organizations. According to the BLS, nurse practitioners who work in state, local and private hospitals earn higher salaries than those who work in other settings.

Nursing Specialty

Another factor influencing individual salary level is the specialty area of nursing chosen. MSN nurses can enter a variety of careers within the nursing field , including as nurse practitioners, educators, executives, managers, and anesthetists. According to BLS data, nurse practitioners earned an average of $107,030 per year in May 2018, and nurse anesthetists earned an average of $167,960 per year.

You may be wondering what the average MSN-educated nurse can expect to make on an hourly basis. While salary can vary based on the factors previously mentioned, according to PayScale.com the mean hourly wage for MSN nurses is $42.70.

An MSN degree opens the door to a wide range of career possibilities, including advanced practice roles as nurse practitioners and clinical nurse leaders, leadership positions as nurse managers and administrators and educational roles training future generations of nurses. A few of the career options open to MSN-educated nurses include:

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners (NPs) can specialize in a number of practice areas, including pediatrics , family health , women's health , psych/mental health , adult/gerontology and acute care . NPs are trained to diagnose and treat patient's chronic or acute diseases and injuries, order diagnostic tests, provide preventative healthcare and prescribe medications. NPs earn an average salary of $107,030 according to the BLS.

Find out more about Nurse Practitioner Programs

Clinical Nurse Leader

Clinical nurse leaders (CNLs) are advanced practice nurses who provide care coordination for patients as well as evidence-based quality improvement strategies for improving patient outcomes and standards of care. The average salary for CNLs is 77.637 according to PayScale.com, with a range of $54,000 to $107,000 per year.

Find out more about Clinical Nurse Leader Programs

Nurse Administrator

Nurse administrators work in a number of healthcare settings to fill managerial and leadership roles, managing nursing staff, training new employees, overseeing budgets and developing policies and procedures. According to Payscale.com, nurse administrators earn an average salary of $86,877 per year with a range of $61,000 to $130,000.

Find out more about the Master’s in Nursing Administration

Nurse Educator

Nurse educators train the next generation of nurses, working in colleges and universities as well as vocational schools and healthcare facilities. Nurse educators develop and teach nursing curriculum, provide mentorship to aspiring nurses and may also conduct or assist with research projects. The average salary for nurse educators is around $75,000 with a range of $54,000 to $100,000 according to PayScale.

Find out more about Nurse Educator Programs

Nurse Midwife

Nurse midwives, also referred to as Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) provide routine gynecological exams and family planning services to women, assist in the childbirth process and provide primary care to post-natal mothers and newborn babies. According to the BLS, nurse midwives earn annual salaries of $103,770.

Find out more about Nurse Midwifery Programs

Research Nurse

Nurse researchers conduct research projects that improve patient outcomes, develop new therapies and medications and create life-saving medical advancements. Research nurses design and develop research projects, find and evaluate patient participants, gather patient data and record results. Research nurses can expect an average salary of around $70,000 per year according to PayScale, which a range of $55,000 to $92,000.

msn travel nursing salary

Travel Nurse Salary Guide | 2023

What is a travel nurse.

Travel nurses are registered nurses that work short-term contracts to fill the needs of hospitals, clinics, long-term facilities, and other healthcare institutions. Travel nurses can help when there are nursing shortages. However, it is not always a long-term solution.

Travel nursing is very enticing to those who want increased flexibility within the nursing sector that traditional bedside nursing might not offer.

Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

Travel nurse salaries vary depending on the location and specialty. Most recently travel nurses have seen a decline in salaries as compared to several years ago. The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased wages for travel nurses, and many left the bedside in order to travel the country but also cash in on the big paychecks. While now the salaries are not as large for contracts, there are still a plethora of contracts available at a competitive wage across the country.

ZipRecruiter.com reports the national average for travel nurses is $118,400 per year. The highest-paying states are New York, California , and Idaho while the lowest reported salaries are in Louisiana and North Carolina. Even though North Carolina has the lowest travel nurse salary, the annual travel nurse salary is still more than the $77,600 national average for staff nurses according to the BLS .

But don’t forget other ways to make money as a travel nurse, such as earning points or miles on all the travel that you already have to do. We now have travel nursing credit cards just for nurses to earn while they travel.

Travel Nurse Salary by State

Salaries and stipends vary by state and city , as do housing and cost of living. Here’s a breakdown of travel nurse salaries and hourly wage for all fifty states, going from highest to lowest.

Source: ZipRecruiter.com

Find available, high-paying travel nurse opportunities.

Wages for travel nurses involve more than a straight hourly rate. Travel nurses can receive non-taxed stipends for housing and living expenses, and those stipends are paid on top of your hourly rate. Other benefits may include, depending on the staffing agency:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401K investment options
  • Sign-on, completion, and referral bonuses
  • Free continuing education courses
  • License Reimbursement
  • Weekly/Bi-weekly Pay
  • Tax Advantage Plan
  • Life Insurance
  • Liability Insurance, Disability Insurance, and Worker’s Compensation
  • 24/7 Support

It’s important to remember that travel nurses are paid (and taxed) differently than staff nurses . Travel nurses are paid through agencies, not the hospital, so you have to look at your total pay. This includes your hourly base pay + your non-taxable stipends, which is what things like housing and meals are considered.

What Does a Travel Nurse Package Include?

Travel nurse packages will vary depending on the company as well as the individual. For example, one travel nurse may take a housing stipend while another might take the company-provided houses. These small differences are important to remember when investigating travel nurse contracts and also speaking to your peers. Furthermore, some travel nurse companies will have exclusive contracts with healthcare institutions, and packages will look different based on the exclusivity.

There are three major components to all pay packages:

  • Taxable hourly pay
  • Housing Stipend
  • Meal and Incidentals Stipend

Taxable Hourly Rate

The hourly pay is the dollar per-hour amount for each hour worked. It is the taxable portion of the pay package, which is important to remember. The actual amount you are paid will vary depending on the agency. Travel nurse agencies will want to pay you the least amount possible in order to make packages look the most attractive to travel nurses. The larger the hourly wage, the more taxes are taken out and as a result less weekly income.

Housing, Meal, and Incidental Stipends

This portion of the pay package is tax-exempt since non-taxable money is not considered income. This is the most alluring part of a travel nurse pay package and where travel nurses will make the most money. This money is directly determined by the travel nurse company .

These stipends will also vary depending if you decide to take housing provided by the company or find your own. If you decide to take company-provided housing then you would not receive a housing stipend. Many travel nurses decide to take the housing stipend and then find their own living arrangements. This can help nurses take home extra non-taxable pay. But be careful, it also can be harmful.

For example, if the housing stipend is $1,200 and you find an apartment for $1,000 then you will get to keep the extra $200. Unfortunately, if housing is more than the housing stipend provided by the company then you are responsible for the difference.

Pro tip: Look at housing costs before signing your contract!

As an example, a standard total pay package could look something like this:

msn travel nursing salary

*Assumes $20 per hour at 40 hours per week, minus taxes

Understanding Your “Tax Home”

In order to qualify for these non-taxable stipends or reimbursements, one must maintain what the IRS calls a “tax home.” A tax home is your place of residence that you maintain and pay for (either by rent or mortgage) while you are out on your travel assignment. Ideally, the IRS would like a travel nurse to take an assignment somewhere and then return to their tax home where they maintain a PRN or full-time nursing job.

Travel nurses that have a tax home will need to maintain proof of this. It’s important to keep all receipts that prove you are paying to maintain your primary residence (e.g., house sitters, utilities, home maintenance expenses).

Per IRS Publication 463 , three factors are used to determine if a location/residence qualifies as a tax home. These are:

  • You perform part of your business in the area of your main home and use that home for lodging while doing business in the area.
  • You have living expenses at your main home that you duplicate because your business requires you to be away from that home.
  • You have not abandoned the area in which both your historical place of lodging and your claimed main home are located; you have a member(s) of your family living at your main home; or you often use that home for lodging.

Most travel nursing agencies will have you sign a form stating that you do have a tax home. If you do not have a residence that you are planning on maintaining when you are traveling, you will be referred to as an itinerant worker. As an itinerant worker, you will be required to pay taxes on all income earned including stipends and reimbursements. When applying with different travel agencies, make sure they are aware of your itinerant status. You can get more information about tax homes here .

Itinerant status is not ideal and will cause a big difference in take-home pay. It can be confusing to navigate the difference between tax home and itinerant status. Speaking to a financial planner and/or accountant specializing in travel nurse pay is helpful. As a best practice, travel nurses are encouraged to return to their permanent residence between contracts.

What Factors Affect Travel Nursing Pay?

There are numerous factors that can affect travel nursing pay. Some will be in your control and others will not. These include

The specific location of the assignment most heavily influences travel nurse pay. Simply put, pay rates often reflect the cost of living in the area and also regional trends. Historically speaking, the highest-paying states for travel nurses include California , Texas , Massachusetts, Washington , and New York .

Southern states, like Mississippi and Alabama, typically have lower living costs and in turn, lower travel nurse pay. Destination locations, like Hawaii, typically do not have the most desirable pay packages because the locations are highly sought after. Companies know that there are many travel nurses who are excited about the surf and sand of Hawaii, so pay packages are reflective of that.

The travel nurse’s specialty also impacts pay. Medical surgical nurses, long-term care nurses, and clinic nurses will see significantly lower rates than other specialties, but this is generally the case even for staff nurses. Increased certifications, credentials, and skills will command higher pay. Historically speaking, the top-paying travel nurse specialties are:

  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
  • Labor & Delivery
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
  • Operating Room (OR)
  • Post-anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

Night shift assignments are generally more prevalent in the world of travel nursing. The increased need and the less desirable shift means that many hospitals offer higher rates for their night shift assignments. If you want to make the most money as a travel nurse, flexibility is key.

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Travel nurse salaries are stabilizing in 2023 at about $3K per week

msn travel nursing salary

During the pandemic, hospitals, private practices, clinics, and other health care providers were hard-pressed for the resources they needed—and not just personal protective equipment (PPE) or masks. The demand for nurses and other health care professionals skyrocketed during the pandemic, which led to a greater need for travel nurses. And that unprecedented demand also helped drive extremely high salaries for travel nurses .

By December 2020, travel nursing salaries had reached nearly $3,500 per week, but the peak really came about a year later when that rate jumped to nearly $4,000 per week, according to data from health care recruitment platform Vivian Health . Between January 2020 and December 2021, average travel nurse pay had increased by more than 99%. As of December 2022, travel nursing salaries started to plateau at around $3,100 per week. 

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These rates reflect salaries for registered nurses (RNs), not nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners typically must earn a master’s degree in nursing or have continuing education and be certified to practice. “Nurse practitioners generally earn higher wages due to their advanced schooling,” confirms Katelyn Harris, director of client development at Vivian Health. For reference, the median annual salary for nurse practitioners in 2021 was nearly $121,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While weekly travel nursing rates may fall slightly during the first couple of months of 2023, these new salary trends will be the “new floor” of travel pay, says Tim Needham, senior vice president of product at Vivian Health.

“Despite wages stabilizing, we expect that temporary nursing contracts will continue to account for a significant portion of the health care labor workforce,” Harris adds. “While health systems eye labor as one of their costliest line items, clinicians will continue to seek out the higher wages, greater flexibility, and reduced bureaucracy associated with temporary contracts.”

The 4 highest-paying travel nursing specialties—and 2023 trends

During the past two years, the highest-paying travel nursing jobs have been with intensive care units (ICU), the emergency department (ED), medical surgery, and home health. 

msn travel nursing salary

Pay for these specialties dipped during summer 2021 when COVID-19 vaccines first became available, but then surged again in late 2021 and early 2022 during the spread of the Omicron variant. However, maintaining hospital staff will become increasingly difficult due to their financial solvency and budgeting, Harris explains. Last year, more than half of hospitals were projected to have negative margins through 2022, according to a survey by the American Hospital Association .

“With the COVID Emergency Order coming to a close in May, this means that hospitals will not have the additional federal funds to support the steep labor costs that they incurred from short term contractors during 2020 and 2021,” Harris explains. “Despite wages stabilizing, we expect that temporary nursing contracts will continue to account for a significant portion of the health care labor workforce.”

Is travel nursing still worth it?

The average annual base salary for registered nurses in 2021 was $77,600, according to the BLS. Assuming a rate of $3,100 per week for 52 weeks in a year, theoretically travel RNs could make more than $161,000. However, because travel nurses participate in contract work, their salary does not come from a stable source. Travel nurses can be out of work for weeks or months at a time, depending on demand and contract availability.

“Pursuing a career in travel nursing is not as lucrative as it was in the height of the pandemic,” Harris tells Fortune. “While travel nurses do have higher gross wages than permanent staff nurses, their weekly pay includes stipends for housing, meals, and other contract-related expenses incurred on assignment.”

Travel RNs also have to pay for housing in their home location (where they’re based), as well as where they’re completing their short-term contract, she explains, which is why it’s critical to evaluate the cost of living for a prospective contract location.

“Travel nurses may receive higher wages than their full-time counterparts because health systems are paying a premium to fill critical staffing needs,” Harris says. “However, travel nursing is generally only more lucrative than full-time staff roles when local cost of living is low relative to pay.”

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29-year-old travel nurse seized a chance to make $187,000 and only work 9 months a year: It's 'a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity'

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This story is part of CNBC Make It's  Millennial Money  series, which details how people around the world earn, spend and save their money.

In 2020, while working as a staff nurse at a hospital in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Aspen Tucker came across a job posting for a travel nurse.

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, a hospital in Amarillo, Texas, needed extra staff in a hurry. The position paid $6,700 per 48-hour workweek.

"It clicked in my head. I said, 'I have to do this. I can't wait around. I can't sit around and wait on money,'" said Tucker, now age 29.

For Tucker, who estimates he was making about $2,000 per biweekly paycheck at the time, there was no time to lose. "I hate to say this, but I didn't give notice. I got my stuff, went to Texas, and told my manager when I got there, 'I'm sorry, I've got to go. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.'"

Since his first gig, Tucker has traveled from coast to coast, working travel nursing contracts that typically range from four to 13 weeks. He tries to fit as much work in as possible when he's on contract, often logging 48- to 60-hour weeks to maximize his overtime pay.

As result, Tucker can pull in an impressive salary while working only eight or nine months out of the year. In 2022, he made $187,000, leaving him plenty of time and money to fulfill a lifelong wanderlust.

When he's not working, "The first thing I'm doing is booking a vacation," he says. "When I was younger, I wrote down a list of places I always wanted to travel. I try to knock out every place on that list."

Places he's crossed off so far include Belize, Colombia, Seychelles, Qatar and Kenya.

Tucker's planning goes beyond trips, however. He's also building a solid financial future while giving back to the people and community that helped shape him.

Learning to save from family role models

Although his work and travel have taken him far and wide, Tucker has always called Spartanburg home.

Growing up there, he had no shortage of powerful financial role models. His grandfather managed to build a small fortune, despite having just a sixth-grade education, Tucker says. "He wasn't a great reader or writer, but the one thing I tried to follow him in is that he always worked and he always believed in ownership."

By the time he died, Tucker says, his grandfather owned a handful of revenue-generating properties that his father was unfortunately unable to hang onto.

In his mother, Tucker found another mentor. After having her first of three children at age 13 (she'd have another at 18 and Aspen, the youngest, at 23) working hard to make ends meet wasn't optional for her.

Tucker knows that things were occasionally rough for his family, "but I'd never really seen it because of her hard work and how she persevered." She was even able to buy her first home at 19, Tucker says.

After graduating high school in 2012, Tucker held a variety of jobs, including working at big box retailers and at the local BMW plant, the latter a "dream job" for many of his hometown peers, Tucker says.

He always managed to save, thanks in part to his mother's generosity. She and her husband, Tucker's stepfather, were both travel nurses and let him live in their home rent-free until age 27.

Taking more inspiration from his mother, Tucker enrolled in a nursing program, graduating in 2020 with an associate's degree and $50,000 in student debt. That same year, he used his savings to buy home, putting down $4,000 on a $93,000 townhome in Spartanburg.

When the opportunity to travel and drastically increase his income presented itself, Tucker felt keeping his home base in South Carolina was the best of both worlds. "I'm able to have a high salary as a travel nurse, but also come back to where the cost of living is low," he says.

How he spends his money

Here's how Tucker spent his money in December 2022.

  • Housing: $2,748 for rent and utilities on his townhome, plus an Airbnb in Fresno, California
  • Support for friends and family: $1,642
  • Discretionary: $1,615 for clothing, laundry and shopping, as well as payments to people who look after his house and dog while he's away
  • Transportation: $1,586 for a rental car, gasoline and Uber rides, as well as payments on his vehicles back home
  • Food: $1,440 for groceries and dining out
  • Travel and entertainment: $1,062 for tickets to concerts and sporting events and a trip back to Spartanburg
  • Insurance: $893 for auto, health and homeowners insurance premiums
  • Subscriptions: $132 for a gym membership and subscriptions to Apple Music, Netflix, Roku and Scott's Cheap Flights
  • Phone: $105 for his cell phone plan

December was a five-paycheck month, which allowed Tucker to pull in in more than $20,000 while on contract in Fresno, California. But it's not hard to see where being on the road put a dent in his budget.

That month he split an Airbnb with his girlfriend (also a travel nurse who occasionally takes jobs at the same hospitals) in addition to paying his mortgage and utilities back home. Additionally, he paid friends to keep an eye on his house and cars and to take care of his dog, a husky named Skye.

In addition to car payments on his truck (he owns two cars as well), Tucker paid for a rental car in California.

And while on the road, he's nearly constantly eating out, as neither he nor his girlfriend cook much.

Another financial variable Tucker has to keep an eye on: insurance. He pays premiums for coverage when he's on a contract, but between contracts he's uninsured.

"I try to think smart and get everything done while I'm under that contract," he says.

That recently meant getting some aching wisdom teeth pulled while working in California. But now that he's on break? "You gotta be wary," he says. "I used to play a lot of basketball and stuff. And now I'm like, 'If I don't have health insurance, I can't go ahead and break my leg.'"

Real estate investing and building community in Spartanburg

Even with a high monthly expenses, Tucker has been able to save prodigiously. He recently closed on a second Spartanburg home — a duplex with a $57,000 down payment.

In February he welcomed a long-term renter on one side of the property, whose rent covers a good portion of the home's $1,200 monthly mortgage payment. Tucker plans to rent the other half of the home, as well as two spare rooms in his townhome, on Airbnb.

In the future, Tucker hopes to eventually settle down and rely more on real estate investments and other business investments (and less on wages) for income. "I want to create more real estate opportunities for myself [so] that I can work less and less."

Still, Tucker is focused on giving back to the community that raised him. Some of that is informal: In December, a large chunk of Tucker's spending went toward cash gifts to family and friends during the holiday season, including several payments to a friend who is currently incarcerated.

"At the end of the day, that could be me," Tucker says. "A lot of times when you come from our communities, especially poor, African-American communities, you don't have a lot of opportunities. So any way I can help, I'm always going to be willing to help. He would do it for me as well."

Tucker recently established a scholarship in his mother's name to help nursing students of color at her alma mater.

For Tucker, it all comes back to the values he was raised on. "I always followed my grandfather's blueprint. He helped everybody," he says. "I think that's the way I tried to do it. You can say it's an investment. Maybe it's not. Maybe it's just bad spending. But I do want to help the people that I love and care about because sometimes what's considered small to me means a lot to them."

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How this 26-year-old earns and spends $25,000 a year just outside NYC

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Registered Nursing Salaries by State

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Keith Carlson

Contributing Writer

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Updated March 23, 2023 · 2 Min Read

Nurses work hard and deserve to be paid well. Discover the top 10 states for nursing salaries, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nursing Salaries by State | Top States Adjusted for Cost of Living | Change in Nursing Salary | Complete List of Salaries by State

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Registered nurses (RNs) are dedicated professionals serving citizens across the lifespan. Beyond the satisfaction of doing such honorable work, nurses deserve to earn a salary equal to their knowledge, skill, and experience.

Keeping track of changes in national and local nurse salary data can help professionals make good career choices in terms of where to live and work. It may also provide insights to help you negotiate higher pay .

This article covers newly released data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of March 2022. Read on to discover the latest nurse salary data and which states pay nurses the most.

What Is the Average Nursing Salary in 2022?

  • The average annual RN salary is $82,750 , or $39.78 an hour
  • In the last year, the average annual RN salaries increased by 3.4%
  • The median annual RN salary is $77,600
  • The average annual nurse practitioner (NP) salary is $118,040 , or $56.75 an hour
  • In the last year, the average annual NP salary increased by 3.1%
  • The median annual NP salary is $120,680

Source: BLS , 2022

The interactive map below displays average annual RN salaries, according to the BLS. As you can see, RN salaries vary by state. You can also expect nurse salary differences between various metropolitan areas and facilities in the same city or neighborhood.

Using the map, hover over any state for more detailed information, including median annual salary and cost-of-living index score.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics , April 1st, 2022

Table showing top 10 highest paying states for registered nursing salaries

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics , March 31st, 2022

The Highest-Paying States for RNs

  • California ($125,340)
  • Hawaii ($111,070)
  • Oregon ($99,410)
  • Alaska ($99,910)
  • Washington ($96,980)

The Lowest-Paying States for RNs

  • South Dakota ($60,540)
  • Alabama ($61,920)
  • Mississippi ($63,130)
  • Iowa ($64,990)
  • Arkansas ($65,810)

Nurses who have previously monitored salary information by state will recognize some familiar names among this list. Nine out of ten of this year's top-paying states made last year's list as well. New to the list of top-paying states in 2022 is Connecticut, which rose two spots from the previous year.

You might notice that there is a stark contrast between the median annual RN salary in California ($125,3400) compared to Alabama ($60,510). That said, California's cost-of-living index score is 110.4, compared to Alabama's 89.3. The cost-of-living index measures the amount you need to spend to reach a certain standard of living, where 100 equals the national average.

It should be noted that registered nursing salaries can vary significantly by education and experience. For example, according to the BLS, the bottom 10% of registered nurses report a median annual salary of $59,450. The top 10% of registered nurses earn a median annual salary of $120,250.

The Highest-Paying States Adjusted for Cost of Living

When we adjust for cost of living, RN salaries by state and their relative earning power change. In the BLS data, salaries in the top 10 states were adjusted for cost of living according to the cost-of-living index, or regional price parity (RPP), by state from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).

RPP demonstrates how far your dollars go in each state. Even after adjusting for cost of living, the top 10 states remain relatively the same, with two significant changes: New Mexico ranks within the top 10, and Connecticut falls to 17th position after adjusting.

Table showing top 10 highest paying states for registered nursing salaries with cost of living adjustments

Source: BLS and BEA , March 31st, 2022

Top and Bottom States by Change in Nursing Salary

Awareness of significant increases or decreases in median annual RN salaries can help you choose the right location for your career. No economist can truly tell us where salaries might be heading, but trends are worth paying attention to.

States With the Largest Percentage Increase in Median Annual Salary

  • Utah: 11.6%
  • New Jersey: 11.4%
  • Florida: 11.1%
  • South Carolina: 10%

States With the Largest Percentage Decrease in Median Annual Salary

  • Nevada: -9.8%
  • Nebraska: -5.9%
  • Oklahoma: -5.3%
  • Rhode Island: -5.0%
  • Indiana: -4.0%

The states with the largest increase in median annual salary for RNs were Utah, New Jersey, Florida, South Carolina, and Ohio. Demand may drive changes, as can increased employer competition due to regional nursing shortages. Changing demographics, such as an aging population caused by an influx of retired people moving from other states can also impact salary variants.

Decreasing nurse median annual salaries in Nevada, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Indiana could perhaps point to economic uncertainty in those states, as well as demographic changes that negatively impact the demand for skilled healthcare workers.

If you're a nurse considering relocation, explore the area's wages, cost of living, job opportunities, and economic projections into the future. Take into consideration the quality of schools if you have children, access to nature, air and water quality, the level of sprawl and growth, crime, and other statistics. After all, a higher salary will not improve your life if you don't like the overall environment and location.

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Complete List of States by 2022 Registered Nursing Salary

If you're looking for more information on RN salaries in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the following table is a helpful resource that includes adjustments for cost of living. Find your state, a state where you previously lived, or perhaps a state where you might wish to relocate, and compare the data to your personal economic reality, desired lifestyle, and what that state has to offer you and your family.

Source: BLS and BEA March 31st, 2022

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15 Highest Paying Nursing Jobs in 2024

Guide to the Highest-Paying Nursing Jobs in 2024

Are you interested in becoming a registered nurse (RN)? Or, are you already a nurse but want to enhance your salary potential? If so, you're likely wondering how you can earn the highest nurse salary. We've compiled the highest-paying nursing jobs of 2024 to help you make money moves in your nursing career. 

Not only will we discuss which nursing careers pay the most, but we'll also detail each job's education requirements, career outlook, and where you can work in these roles. Read on to learn more about how to make the most money as a nurse in 2024.

Highest-Paid Nursing Jobs:

  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist - $203,090
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse - $136,592
  • Pain Management Nurse - $124,006
  • General Nurse Practitioner - $121,610
  • Certified Nurse Midwife - $120,880
  • Health Policy Nurse - $120,333
  • Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner - $117,870
  • Registered Nurse First Assistant - $106,176
  • Nursing Administrator - $104,830
  • Family Nurse Practitioner - $102,107
  • Gerontological Nurse Practitioner - $96,198
  • Intensive Care Unit Nurse - $92,568
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist - $87,359
  • Informatics Nurse - $83,780
  • Nurse Educator - $78,580

How Much Do Nurses Make?

The median annual RN salary in the United States is $81,220, per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports. But that figure spans all types of nurses , including the lowest and highest-paying nursing jobs, with some of the highest-paid nurses earning over $200K annually!

>> Related: 10 Jobs Where You Can Make 6 Figures as a Nurse

Factors Impacting Nursing Salaries

How much you earn as a nurse will also depend on where you work. For example, the average nurse salary in California is much higher than in South Dakota across all specialties. This also applies to the type of facility that you work at, with nurses in certain industries earning more than others.

Additionally, your nursing salary will often increase with more education. On average, nurses with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree will earn much more than those with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

>> Show Me Online MSN Programs

The Highest Paid Nurses in 2024

1. certified registered nurse anesthetist (crna) - $203,090 per year.

CRNA salary

What is the highest-paid nurse? Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists ! Earning $203,090 annually, CRNAs earn significantly more than any other type of nurse or nursing specialty.

What does a nurse anesthetist do? This highly skilled profession involves preparing and administering anesthesia to patients in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other qualified healthcare professionals, according to the  American Association of Nurse Anesthetists .

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Salary

The median certified registered nurse anesthetist salary is $203,090 per year, according to 2022  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. CRNAs typically work 40 hours per week, making the hourly wage average approximately $97.64 per hour*.  

Career Outlook for CRNAs

The CRNA field will grow by 9% from 2022 to 2032, according to the BLS.

Requirements to Become a Nurse Anesthetist

Be prepared to hit the books in order to achieve a degree from an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program and, upon completion, pass the National Certification Examination.

Currently, you do not need a doctoral degree to practice as a CRNA. However, the Council on Accreditation announced that by 2025, all practicing CRNAs must have a doctorate. As of this year, all master's CRNA programs will transition to doctorate programs to meet this requirement.

Employers include hospitals, clinics, free-standing surgical centers, ambulatory centers, pain management centers, and staffing agencies.

>> Show Me CRNA Programs

2. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurse - $136,592 Per Year

NICU nurse salary

If you love caring for babies, consider  becoming a NICU nurse . This specialty commands a strong salary, especially for advanced practice nurses.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse Salary

The average annual NICU nurse salary is $136,592,  according to  ZipRecruiter . Those with a BSN, more experience, and advanced certifications have higher earning potential. NICU nurses typically work 36 hours per week, giving them an average hourly rate of  $66*.

Career Outlook for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses

Both advances in technology and the frequency of premature births have contributed to a strong job outlook for neonatal nurses. 

Requirements to Become a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse

While you can get neonatal unit experience as a staff RN, earning either a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) or neonatal clinical nurse specialist (CNS), designation is how the real advancement takes place. However, advancing your education with a graduate degree can help you earn a higher salary. Nurses who wish to earn certification without an advanced practice degree can earn their RNC-NIC.

NICU Nurse Jobs

Employers include hospitals, private practice, birth centers, neonatal intensive care units, well-baby units, newborn nurseries, private consultants, private duty baby nurses, pediatric outpatient clinics, and staffing agencies.

3. Pain Management Nurse - $124,006 Per Year

Pain management nurses help manage a patient’s pain post-surgery or work with patients who have chronic pain issues. They work within a healthcare team to help determine the cause of the pain and the proper course of treatment while also educating patients about pain management and avoiding addiction or dependence on prescribed medication.

Pain Management Nurse Salary

The average yearly salary for pain management nurses is $124,006 , according to Indeed . Pain management nurses typically work 40 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately $53*. 

Career Outlook for Pain Management Nurses

Because pain management nurses can work in a variety of healthcare settings -- hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes -- the demand for this skill is strong. As the population continues to age, the need for experienced pain management nurses will only continue to rise. 

Pain Management Nurse Requirements

While an advanced degree isn’t necessary to become a pain management nurse, sufficient experience as an RN is required to vie for the Nurse Practitioner certification for Pain Management Specialists.

Pain Management Nurse Jobs

Employers include hospitals, drug counseling centers, drug dependency clinics, rehabilitation centers, oncology clinics, sports rehabilitation facilities, long-term care facilities, fitness centers, and staffing agencies.

4. General Nurse Practitioner - $121,610 Per Year

nurse practitioner salary

As a general  nurse practitioner , you can choose to open an independent practice or work in a variety of primary care settings. You can also advance your nursing skills and your earning potential along the way. General NPs can later specialize in a field if they wish. 

Nurse Practitioner Salary

The median annual nurse practitioner salary is $121,610 per year ( BLS , May 2022). General nurse practitioners typically work 40 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately  $59*.

Career Outlook for Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioner jobs (which include general) are expected to grow 45 percent through 2032 ( BLS ). Add to that the option to work independently, and the outlook for this specialty is robust.

Requirements to Become a Nurse Practitioner

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the minimum degree requirement for becoming a nurse practitioner, followed by earning nurse practitioner licensure as specified by your state.

Nurse Practitioner Jobs

Employers include hospitals, clinics, urgent care, outpatient clinics, private practice, and staffing agencies.

5. Certified Nurse Midwife - $120,880 Per Year

For RNs who love obstetrics, labor and delivery, and prenatal care, becoming a certified nurse midwife is the perfect career path. CNMs mostly work in OB/GYN offices, clinics, or hospital settings, but many open their own practices depending on their state of practice. Check out our CNM meaning guide to learn more about what it means to practice as a nurse midwife.

Certified Nurse Midwife Salary

The average certified nurse-midwife salary is $120,880  per the  BLS . CNMs typically work 40 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately  $58*. 

Career Outlook for Certified Nurse Midwives

From 2022 to 2032, the  BLS predicts there will be a need for 500 new CNMs, which represents a 6% growth in the profession.

Requirements to Become a Certified Nurse Midwife

To practice certified nurse midwifery, nurses can go through the American Midwifery Certification Board to earn the Certified Nurse-Midwife and Certified Midwife designations. 

Certified Nurse Midwife Jobs

Employers include hospitals, freestanding birthing clinics, private practice clinics, and staffing agencies.

>> Show Me Online Nurse Midwife Programs

6.  Health Policy Nurse - $120,333 Per Year

If you are passionate about health and public policy, becoming a health policy nurse will let you take on the tasks of advocacy, research, analysis, policy development, implementation, and evaluation.

Health Policy Nurse Salary

ZipRecruiter states the average national salary for health policy nurses is $120,333 as of September 2023. Nurses who work in this field often work as consultants, which makes the salary potential endless.

Health policy nurses can snag flexible schedules, which means you can work as much or as little as you wish in this role. However, on average, they work 40-hour weeks, which translates to about $58 an hour* .

Career Outlook for Health Policy Nurses

 With so much attention on healthcare policy , there is no better time to take this career route. 

Requirements to Become a Health Policy Nurse

After earning your MSN, you’ll have to complete a 10-week health policy residency program in government offices, advocacy organizations, or community groups.

Health Policy Nurse Jobs

Employers include hospitals, occupational health, case management offices, infection control, international health organizations, research, private practice, government offices, law practices, and staffing agencies.

>> Show Me Online Public Health Programs

7. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - $117,870 Per Year

For nurses with an interest in mental health, working as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner ( PMHNP ) allows you to work with psychiatric physicians and counsel patients regarding mental health disorders. PMHNPs also work with patients who suffer from a combination of mental health disorders and substance abuse issues.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Salary

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners earn a median annual salary of $117,870 ( Payscale , Sep 2023). Generally, PMHNPs work 40-hour weeks, making their average hourly wage approximately  $67*.

Career Outlook for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

The need for improved mental healthcare continues to gain national attention, and the demand for adolescent psychiatric services is increasing. Therefore, we expect PMHNPs to be highly sought-after healthcare professionals for years to come.  Additionally, as substance abuse continues to rise throughout the country, PMHNPs will need to become well-versed in both mental health and addiction issues.

>>  See the Top 10 Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

Requirements to Become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the minimum degree requirement for becoming a nurse practitioner, followed by earning Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner licensure as specified by your state.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Jobs

Employers include hospitals, mental health units, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, and staffing agencies.

>> Show Me Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

8. Registered Nurse First Assistant - $106,176 Per Year

Registered nurse first assistant salary

A  registered nurse first assistant (RNFA) is a perioperative nurse who functions as a first assistant during surgical operations. The role and responsibilities of an RNFA will vary greatly based on the institution.

Registered Nurse First Assistant Salary

The average salary for a registered nurse first assistant is $106,176 , as of August 2023, according to Salary.com . But the range typically falls between $96,060 and $118,287 . The salary range varies based on years of experience and the location of the position. RNFAs typically work 36 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately $57* .  

Career Outlook for Registered Nurse First Assistant

With the overwhelming number of outpatient surgical centers opening across the country, the need for well-trained RNFAs is rapidly growing. Therefore, the career field outlook is positive.

Requirements to Become a Registered Nurse First Assistant

To become eligible for RNFA programs , you must have a BSN, active RN license, and CNOR certification. Most RNFA schools require at least two years of perioperative nursing experience as well. 

The Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant credential requires RNFA program graduates to have at least 2,000 hours of RNFA working experience.

Registered Nurse First Assistant Jobs

RNFAs can work in ambulatory surgical centers, hospitals, outpatient same-day surgery centers, private offices, research, staffing agencies, and product development. Large academic teaching hospitals might not employ as many RNFAs due to the presence of residents and fellows. 

>> Show Me Online RN-to-BSN Programs

9.  Nursing Administrator $104,830 Per Year

A  nurse administrator  deals with the backstage operations of nursing, from budgeting and staff management to HR functions.

Nurse Administrator Salary

Nursing administrators earn a median salary of $104,830 per year, as of May 2022, according to the BLS.  Nurse administrators typically work a minimum of 40 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately  $50* .

Career Outlook for Nurse Administrators

Employment of medical and health services managers (of which nursing administrators are a part) is projected to grow 28% from 2022 to 2032, according to the BLS .

Requirements to Become a Nurse Administrator

Usually, a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration is required, as is state licensing. Some Nursing Administrators will also have a master's in Business Administration. 

Nurse Administrator Jobs

Employers include hospitals, private practice, healthcare companies, clinics, and staffing agencies.

>> Show Me Online Nursing Leadership Programs

10. Family Nurse Practitioner - $102,107

Family nurse practitioner (FNP) roles are most similar in function to a primary care physician. FNPs typically perform many of the same functions as an MD -- working in a medical office, hospital, clinic, or nursing facility. Their responsibilities include patient consultations, assessments, prescribing medications and treatment, and more.

Family Nurse Practitioner Salary

The average family nurse practitioner salary is $102,107 ( Payscale , September 2023). FNPs typically work 40 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately  $53* .

Career Outlook for Family Nurse Practitioners

Through 2032, nurse practitioner jobs will grow by XX% (BLS). FNPs are part of this growth and, since they focus on family practice, will always be in demand at various healthcare facilities. Additionally, in more than half the states in the US and in the Veterans Administration (VA) system, FNPs can practice autonomously.

Requirements to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner 

You must hold an advanced nursing degree to practice as an FNP and have one of two family nurse practitioner certifications. Read our comprehensive guide to learn more about FNP-C vs FNP-BC differences .

Family Nurse Practitioner Jobs

Employers include hospitals, clinics, freestanding ambulatory centers, urgent care, and staffing agencies.

>> Show Me Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs

11. Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) - $96,198 Per Year

adult-gerontology nurse practitioner salary

Older patients have a unique set of health issues requiring specialized care. RNs who prefer working with elderly patients should look no further than the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner career.

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Salary

Payscale reports the median annual salary for this specialty to be $96,198  as of December 2022. AGNPs typically work 40 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately $51*. 

Career Outlook for Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners

The aging population, longer life spans, and more access to long-term care options mean there will be a greater need for nurses who specialize in caring for older patients. With the Baby Boomer generation reaching the age where this kind of care is necessary, there has become a sudden surge in the need for AGNPs.

Requirements to Become an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

To become an AGNP, you must obtain at least a Master of Science in Nursing and earn the Certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (CGNP) credential.

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Jobs

Employers include hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, urgent care, nursing homes, retirement communities, and staffing agencies.

>> Show Me Online Adult-Gerontology NP Programs

12.  Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse - $92,568 Per Year

ICU nurses deal with life-and-death cases every shift, which means that being one requires a specialized skill set. They often work in hospital ICUs, but you may also find them in other areas of nursing. Critical care roles are coveted nursing positions because you must excel at nursing, critical thinking, and staying calm under pressure to get them.

ICU Nurse Salary

The average annual salary for ICU Nurses was $92,568 as of September 2023, according to ZipRecruiter . However, the range typically falls between  $55,500 and $129,000.  New nurses generally start at the lower end of the pay scale before quickly moving up. Critical care nurses typically work 36 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately $45*  on average. 

Career Outlook for ICU Nurses

When you hear about nursing shortages , the biggest areas in need include adult critical care units, pediatric and neonatal ICUs, and emergency departments. Therefore, ICU nurses will generally have no problem finding work.

Requirements to Become an ICU Nurse

You must have a registered nursing license in your state to become an ICU nurse. This process includes completing an accredited ADN or BSN nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN.

Most hospitals will offer specific training for intensive care nurses to ensure they are confident in their abilities. Although you don't need any specialized credentials to begin working in the ICU, the CCRN certification exam will help you advance in the field.

ICU Nurse Jobs

Employers include hospitals, managed care facilities, outpatient surgical centers, administration, research committees, cardiac catheter labs, post-anesthesia care units, emergency departments, cardiac centers, urgent care clinics, short-term stay hospitals, and staffing agencies. Critical care nurses can specialize in adult critical care, pediatric critical care, or geriatric critical care.

>> Show Me Critical Care Nursing Programs

13.  Clinical Nurse Specialist - $87,359 Per Year

Those who wish to work in a specialized unit or clinic should consider the  clinical nurse specialist (CNS) path. As a CNS, you won't just get to diagnose and treat various conditions - you'll also get the satisfaction of being an expert within your healthcare team. 

Clinical nurse specialists focus on improving the status of nursing as a given healthcare facility. They conduct research and enhance the care provided at their workplaces.

Clinical Nurse Specialist Salary

According to  Salary.com, the average salary for clinical nurse specialists in the United States is $87,359.  However, the average CNS salary can range between $62,500 and $101,500 . Like many other types of nurses , they typically work 40-hour work weeks, making their average hourly wage about  $42* .

Career Outlook for Clinical Nurse Specialists

Because clinical nurse specialists offer specialized care at a lower cost than a physician, more and more hospitals and institutions will be seeking to add these professionals to their teams.

Requirements to Become a Clinical Nurse Specialist

A clinical nurse specialist must earn a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in clinical nursing.

Clinical Nurse Specialist Jobs

Employers include hospitals, clinics, private practices, and staffing agencies.

14. Informatics Nurse - $83,780 Per Year

Nursing, meet technology. Nursing informatics is one of the most in-demand nursing fields with unlimited growth thanks to the ongoing implementation of electronic medical records.

According to the American Medical Informatics Association, nursing informatics integrates nursing with the management of information and communication technologies to promote public health.

Nursing Informatics Salary

The average nursing informatics salary is $83,780, according to Payscale . Informatics nurses typically work 40 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately $37* .

Career Outlook for Informatics Nurses

The AMIA estimates a growing need for nursing informatics and specialists. They predict the field may grow by up to 70,000 new analysts in the next five years.

Requirements to Become an Informatics Nurse

To get into nursing informatics, expect to earn a Master of Science in Nursing or a Master’s in Information or Computer Science. 

Informatics Nurse Jobs

Employers include hospitals, healthcare technology companies, medical record companies, clinics, and staffing agencies.

>> Show Me Nursing Informatics Programs

15. Nurse Educator - $78,580 Per Year

At some point, you may wish to transition from patient care to nurse education. If working directly with other nurses to train them or facilitate continuing education sounds appealing, becoming a nurse educator could be a good fit.

Nurse Educator Salary

Nurse educators can earn a median yearly salary of $78,580, as reported by the BLS in 2022. Nurse educators typically work 40 hours per week, making their hourly wage approximately $38*.

Career Outlook for Nurse Educators

Nurse educators are experiencing shortages that experts predict to continue. As the need for more educators grows stronger, you'll find plentiful opportunities to transition from the hospital floor to the head of a classroom. Currently, there are thousands of open nurse educator positions at undergraduate and graduate levels.

Requirements to Become a Nurse Educator

Nurse educators must hold a master’s degree at minimum, although many earn a doctoral degree as well. Nurse educators can also earn national certification in their field. 

Nurse Educator Jobs

Employers include hospitals, private practices, hospital-based nursing programs, universities and colleges, healthcare companies, clinics, and staffing agencies.

>> Show Me Online Nurse Educator Programs

BONUS! 5 More High Paying Nursing Careers

In case you didn't find what you were looking for in the list above, here are five more high-paying nursing jobs to consider.

  • Surgical Nurse: Surgical nurses are on the front lines of the nursing profession. Because so much is required of them, those who excel and decide to advance are considered to have entered a specialty area. According to Salary.com , the average annual surgical nurse salary is $104,838.
  • Legal Nurse Consultant: Legal nurse consultants work with different law professionals and perform a variety of different services for them. They will often assist in medical malpractice cases, toxic torts, insurance fraud cases, personal injury cases, worker's compensation cases, and criminal cases, among others. Payscale reports legal nurse consultant salaries of $88,048 per year , but nurses in this field can charge upwards of $150 per hour.
  • Nurse Researcher: Nurse researchers are in charge of designing and implementing research studies, writing grants for federal and private funding, observing patient treatments and procedures, collecting data, and reporting the data to the nursing community and the public.  Glassdoor lists an average salary of $72,482  for nurse researchers. 
  • Strike Travel Nurse: Travel nursing is one of the hottest and most in-demand careers for nurses who want to explore the country, help save lives, and earn premium pay. The average salary for a strike nurse, according to ZipRecruiter , is $75,776 . However, strike nurses can earn over $117,000.
  • Per Diem Registered Nurse: Per diem nurses are registered nurses who work on an as-needed basis. These nurses are employees of a hospital or healthcare system and are paid a premium for working hard-to-staff shifts such as evenings, nights, and weekends. They may also be compensated for on-call pay and paid at a higher rate if they are called in to work. According to ZipRecruiter, per diem nurses can earn over $37 an hour, with an average annual salary of $77,797. 

Highest-Paying States for Nurses

Source: BLS

Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses

Source:  BLS

Highest-Paying Industries for Nurses

Not interested in nursing? Check out the 10 highest-paying healthcare jobs in 2023!

Highest-Paying Nursing Jobs FAQs

Which nurses make the most money.

  • The highest-paid nursing specialty is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), averaging an annual salary of $203,090. However, travel nurses of any specialty may be able to make close or more than that, depending on the specifics of their contracts.  

Can a nurse be a millionaire?

  • It is possible for a nurse to become a millionaire, but they would need to take on a high-level leadership position and/or other income streams, such as becoming an entrepreneur.

How can a nurse make $100K?

  • An RN can make $100K in an advanced practitioner position, such as becoming a CRNA, NP, or CNM, becoming a nurse manager , travel nurse, or taking on a second income stream. 

What nurses are the happiest?

  • Advanced practice nurses, including nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and CRNAs, all report the highest levels of job satisfaction.    

Infographic detailing the highest paying nursing careers

*Salary Disclaimer: 

The salaries listed are highly generalized. Nurses can expect to see major variances based on geography, experience, and a number of other factors. 

When calculating hourly wages for nurse salaries, we used the following formula: For a nurse working 40 hours a week, we estimated 52 of those would be working weeks. 40 hours/week multiplied by 52 weeks/year = 2,080 hours per year. The hourly wage is equivalent to an Annual Salary of / 2,080 for a position with a 40-hour workweek. The same formula was applied for careers with a 36-hour workweek.  

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What’s Really Going on with Travel Nurse Demand Post-Pandemic?

A conceptual image with a smiling nurse holding a globe with a world map backdrop behind her.

Travel nursing jobs became widespread during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as hospital administrators scrambled to maintain staffing levels. Many media reports have focused on an abrupt drop in travel nurse jobs.

However, while demand is down from the historic highs reached during the pandemic, the job market for travel nurses in Texas and around the nation remains relatively strong.

Aya Healthcare, one of the nation’s biggest suppliers of travel nurses, recently reported it typically has between 8,000 and 12,000 openings for travel nurses. And nursing executives continue to say that staff retention, layoffs, and retirements create significant roadblocks to maintaining proper nurse staffing levels.

These challenges for administrators translate into job opportunities for staff and travel nurses. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statists projects annual growth of 200,000 nursing jobs annually between now and 2031.

With fewer travel nurse positions available, competition for these jobs is higher than ever. Nurses earning an online RN to BSN degree or a Master of Science in Nursing enjoy a competitive edge over their peers.

What Is Travel Nursing?

Travel nurses are registered nurses who take short-term jobs at hospitals, clinics, and medical services operations. They typically work for an independent agency, although Health Affairs reports that healthcare provider and insurer UPMC plans to start an in-house travel nurse agency.

Travel nursing first rose to prominence in the 1980s due to nursing shortages. It exploded in growth during the pandemic around the country, including Texas, a state which already faced a significant nursing shortage.  

While hiring has slowed since that peak, healthcare administrators are seeking ways to maintain staffing levels in the face of many nurses retiring and the seasonal uptick in covid cases.

The Benefits of Travel Nursing

Travel nurse salaries remain the biggest draw for nurses with the flexibility to take on short-term contracts. During the pandemic,   travel nurse salaries in Texas reached $127,000, or about $2,338 per week. Salary levels remain strong. Indeed reports an average travel nurse salary in Texas of $2,233 per week, although pay varies greatly depending on location.

Travel nurses also receive either free housing or a stipend for housing costs. The salaries and housing benefits represent two of the biggest pros of taking a travel nurse position. The cons include having a short-term job that does not last long and living in an unfamiliar setting (for some, however, that’s a pro as they like discovering new places).

Preparing for a Travel Nursing Career

Earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing opens the door to winning a job as a travel nurse. HCU offers an online RN to BSN program that provides nurses the training to succeed in the challenging, rewarding travel nursing field.

Nurses must gain a year of experience in the specialty they plan to work in, determine the locations they are willing to work, and the types of work contracts they prefer.

Becoming a travel nurse adds a potentially lucrative specialty for nursing school graduates. While demand is not at the levels seen during the pandemic, it’s still possible to find a travel nursing job matching your interests and talents that provides a competitive travel nurse salary.

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Cedar Rapids KCRG-TV

Iowa bill would cap amount travel nurse agencies can charge hospitals, nursing homes

D ES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau) - A former travel nurse says a bill in the Iowa legislature could cap their pay and make the nursing shortage worse. Supporters says travel nurse agencies are reaping big profits off the backs of Iowa taxpayers.

“The last thing we need to do is to shoot ourselves in the foot over agency workers, says Andrew Craig , a former travel nurse who is now a recruiter.

Craig says he has concerns with House File 2391, which passed the House last week. It seeks to cap the amount that travel nurse agencies can charge hospitals and nursing homes at 150% of the statewide average wage for that particular nursing role.

DOCUMENT: HF 2391

Craig says if the bill becomes law, fewer nurses will want to come to Iowa. “It’s already challenging enough to fill permanent nurse positions, and it’s equally as challenging to fill agency nurse positions. And so yeah of course this will affect nurses and their desire to come to Iowa because Iowa isn’t really a place that people want to come to anyway,” Craig said.

70% of Iowa medical facilities are struggling to find nurses. They often turn to travel nurses, who work on short term contracts, to fill the gap.

Brent Willett with the Iowa Health Care Association points out that what providers can charge to the state is regulated, but travel nurse rates are not. “We think healthcare employment agencies are healthcare employers just like nursing homes and hospitals and clinics, and they should be regulated in the same way,” Willett said.

MORE: Iowa nursing shortage hits hospitals and schools

Willett says if signed into law, the bill could bring savings for taxpayers. “If the legislation was in place today, the savings to the Iowa Medicaid program would be between $7.5 and $10.5 million a year. Those are dollars that can be reinvested into patient care and not invested in to overwhelmingly out of state healthcare employment agencies,” Willett said.

Willett says travel nurse agencies make massive profit margins, and they could afford to double what they pay their staff before hitting the 150% cap.

The bill overwhelmingly passed the Iowa house on an 80 to 17 vote.

Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Television-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at [email protected] ; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports .

Willett says travel nurse agencies make massive profit margins, and they could afford to double what they pay their staff before hitting the 150% cap.

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COMMENTS

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    The BLS states that the 2022 median annual income of RNs with a bachelor's degree or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) was $81,220 per year or $39.05 per hour. When you compare the median BSN salary to the income of an APRN or nurse administrator, nurses who earn an MSN can, on average, make between $29,000 to $42,000 more per year!

  2. MSN Salary: What Is The Average?

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  3. Travel Nurse Salary 2024

    Location can make a huge difference in salary as a travel nurse. ZipRecruiter reports that the states that offer the highest pay for travel nurses include: New York: $128,277 annually or $61.67/hr. Arizona: $109,776 annually or $52.78/hr. Wyoming: $109,765 annually or $52.77/hr.

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    Hourly: The average hourly rate for a travel nurse is $59.66. However, recently-licensed travel nurses tend to earn a much lower starting salary of $39.83 while their more experienced counterparts earn an average of $86.68. Some of this may include overtime hours, though the availability and demand for overtime will vary from one assignment to ...

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    How Much Does a Travel Nurse Make? Travel nurses make an average of $47.98 per hour or $111,975 per year as compared to staff nurses making an average of $42.11 per hour or $89,877 per year ( Indeed.com, 2022 ). However, travel nurses can make more or less depending on their experience level, the state they work in, and the type of facility ...

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    Average Annual RN Salary. $42.80. Average Hourly RN Salary. The salary range for RNs is broad, allowing for growth and advancement based on education, certification, and experience. Most nurses earn $61,250-$129,400 annually for the lowest and highest-paid earners. The median annual salary for RNs is $81,220 or $39.05 an hour.

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  18. Registered Nursing Salaries By State

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  19. Travel Nurse Pay Could Be Capped in Iowa

    Travel Nurse Pay To Be Capped in Iowa. The Iowa House of Representatives voted last week to approve a bill that would limit how much hospitals and nursing homes can pay temporary nursing staff and travel nurses. House File 2391 would cap pay for these temporary healthcare workers at 150% of the average salary for a nurse in the state ...

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  21. Travel Nurse Demand Remains Strong

    The Benefits of Travel Nursing. Travel nurse salaries remain the biggest draw for nurses with the flexibility to take on short-term contracts. During the pandemic, travel nurse salaries in Texas reached $127,000, or about $2,338 per week. Salary levels remain strong. Indeed reports an average travel nurse salary in Texas of $2,233 per week ...

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  24. Iowa bill would cap amount travel nurse agencies can charge ...

    Craig says he has concerns with House File 2391, which passed the House last week. It seeks to cap the amount that travel nurse agencies can charge hospitals and nursing homes at 150% of the ...