Introduction
Travel nursing is a unique career path for registered nurses (RNs) looking to explore different parts of the country while still providing quality patient care. Travel nurses are hired to fill short-term positions at health care facilities across the United States. As a travel nurse, you get to experience new cities and cultures while gaining valuable work experience.
But one of the most important questions for any prospective travel nurse is: What do travel nurses make an hour? The answer isn’t cut and dry, as there are several factors that influence a travel nurse’s hourly wage. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore all the elements that affect a travel nurse’s salary, including location, specialty, and experience.
What Factors Impact a Travel Nurse’s Hourly Wage?
Before diving into the details of what travel nurses make an hour, it’s important to understand the factors that influence a travel nurse’s hourly wage. These include:
Location
The geographical location of the hospital or health care facility plays a huge role in determining a travel nurse’s hourly wage. Generally speaking, travel nurses can expect to be paid more in urban areas compared to rural areas. This is due to the higher cost of living in big cities and the increased demand for qualified medical personnel.
Specialty
The type of nursing specialty also affects a travel nurse’s hourly wage. For example, a travel nurse specializing in critical care will likely earn more than a travel nurse specializing in post-operative care. This is because critical care requires a higher level of skill and experience.
Experience
Finally, a travel nurse’s experience level also impacts their hourly wage. The more experience a travel nurse has, the more they can typically expect to earn. This is because experienced travel nurses have a better understanding of the nuances of the job and can generally handle more complex cases.
How to Maximize Your Earning Potential as a Travel Nurse
Now that you understand the factors that influence a travel nurse’s hourly wage, let’s look at some strategies to maximize your earning potential:
Negotiate Higher Pay
When negotiating your compensation package with a prospective employer, don’t be afraid to ask for more money. Many employers are willing to pay more for highly experienced and qualified travel nurses. So don’t be afraid to ask for what you think you deserve.
Take Advantage of Bonuses and Incentives
In addition to your hourly rate, many employers offer bonuses and other incentives to travel nurses. These may include additional payments for completing certain tasks, referral bonuses for bringing on new travel nurses, and completion bonuses for staying with the organization for a certain amount of time.
Utilize Professional Resources
Finally, take advantage of professional resources like nursing associations, online forums, and job boards. These resources can provide you with invaluable information on the best paying employers and locations, as well as tips on how to negotiate higher pay.
Comparing Travel Nurse Salaries Across the U.S.
Now that you know what factors influence a travel nurse’s hourly wage, let’s take a look at the average salaries by state. According to a survey conducted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the average hourly wage for travel nurses in the United States is $36.38 per hour. However, the average salary varies significantly from state to state.
Average Salaries by State
Below is a list of the average hourly wages for travel nurses in each state, according to the AACN survey:
- Alabama – $33.95/hour
- Alaska – $42.91/hour
- Arizona – $37.10/hour
- Arkansas – $34.70/hour
- California – $44.17/hour
- Colorado – $43.03/hour
- Connecticut – $39.22/hour
- Delaware – $37.02/hour
- Florida – $35.45/hour
- Georgia – $35.61/hour
- Hawaii – $41.50/hour
- Idaho – $37.12/hour
- Illinois – $37.37/hour
- Indiana – $36.54/hour
- Iowa – $37.00/hour
- Kansas – $33.99/hour
- Kentucky – $33.69/hour
- Louisiana – $34.84/hour
- Maine – $38.20/hour
- Maryland – $39.08/hour
- Massachusetts – $40.71/hour
- Michigan – $35.56/hour
- Minnesota – $42.11/hour
- Mississippi – $33.76/hour
- Missouri – $35.51/hour
- Montana – $37.13/hour
- Nebraska – $35.92/hour
- Nevada – $41.02/hour
- New Hampshire – $39.27/hour
- New Jersey – $39.97/hour
- New Mexico – $37.82/hour
- New York – $41.49/hour
- North Carolina – $34.83/hour
- North Dakota – $36.19/hour
- Ohio – $35.09/hour
- Oklahoma – $34.51/hour
- Oregon – $41.56/hour
- Pennsylvania – $37.45/hour
- Rhode Island – $40.30/hour
- South Carolina – $35.09/hour
- South Dakota – $36.24/hour
- Tennessee – $34.55/hour
- Texas – $36.44/hour
- Utah – $38.10/hour
- Vermont – $39.18/hour
- Virginia – $36.67/hour
- Washington – $43.64/hour
- West Virginia – $33.67/hour
- Wisconsin – $37.02/hour
- Wyoming – $36.68/hour
Highest Paying States
As you can see from the above list, the highest paying states for travel nurses are Washington ($43.64/hour) and California ($44.17/hour). Meanwhile, the lowest paying states for travel nurses are West Virginia ($33.67/hour) and Alabama ($33.95/hour).
Understanding the Benefits of Being a Travel Nurse
While money is certainly an important factor when considering a career as a travel nurse, it’s important to remember that there are plenty of other benefits to this profession. Here are just a few:
Flexibility
One of the biggest advantages of being a travel nurse is the flexibility. You can choose where and when you want to work, allowing you to explore different parts of the country while still making a good living.
Variety of Experiences
Being a travel nurse also gives you the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of settings. From rural hospitals to big city medical centers, you’ll get to experience diverse environments and learn new skills.
Exposure to Different Practices
Finally, working as a travel nurse exposes you to different practices and protocols. This helps you stay up-to-date on the latest medical trends, giving you an edge in your nursing career.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many factors that influence a travel nurse’s hourly wage. Location, specialty, and experience all play a role in determining how much money a travel nurse can expect to make. Additionally, there are a number of strategies to maximize your earning potential as a travel nurse, such as negotiating higher pay, taking advantage of bonuses and incentives, and utilizing professional resources. Finally, it’s important to remember that there are many benefits to being a travel nurse, such as flexibility, variety of experiences, and exposure to different practices.
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