What Determines a Travel RN Salary?

Here at Favorite, we love travel nursing. What’s not to love about being able to see new parts of the country while meeting new people and working in different hospitals? A big perk of being a travel nurse is the pay.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data shows that in 2018, RNs earned a median annual salary of $73,550 compared to $70,000 in 2017.

It’s true that there really is no average salary for a travel nurse. Many travel assignments do pay higher than a typical staff position, especially when you include benefits such as housing. But what factors determine a travel nurse salary?

There’s no set salary range for travel nurses because there are many factors that influence pay scale; however, the top factors that could influence your financial gain include:

• Location of your travel nurse assignment – salaries vary state by state
• Your nursing specialty
• How geographically flexible you are when it comes to choosing available assignments
• Type of assignment – for example, critical staffing jobs often pay more
• Your individual situation – Are you traveling solo? With family? Etc.

It’s important to keep all these factors in mind when choosing an assignment. Some locations may have a lower travel nurse salary, but that location may also have a lower cost of living. You could still live well during your assignment and potentially keep some money for your savings.

Because there are so many factors that go into determining a travel nurse’s salary, it’s important to look at your personal situation and determine what matters most to you. Would you rather take a lower salary, but live in your dream location for a few weeks, or is salary the most important factor for you?

Whatever you decide, Favorite Healthcare Staffing recruiters can help you find a travel assignment that is perfect for your needs. Apply online to get started today!