Travel nursing can be an incredibly rewarding career—personally and financially. But how much do travel nurses actually earn? And what factors affect your paycheck from one assignment to the next?
If you’re thinking about making the leap, understanding the full picture of travel nurse pay is essential. In this post, we’ll break down what’s included in your pay package, how rates vary, and what you can expect when you travel with Treva.
For more about the lifestyle and career path, check out our article on Travel Nursing Careers or visit our main guide: Travel Nursing Careers: Freedom, Flexibility & Support.
The Short Answer: It Depends
There’s no single “average” number that applies to all travel nurses, but many earn significantly more than staff nurses in the same specialty. Travel nurses typically earn between $1,800 and $3,500 per week, depending on location, specialty, and contract type.
What’s Included in a Travel Nurse Pay Package?
Your total compensation usually includes:
- Hourly wage: Your base pay rate
- Tax-free stipends: For housing, meals, and incidentals (when applicable)
- Travel reimbursements: For getting to and from your assignment
- Bonuses: Some assignments include sign-on or completion bonuses
- Overtime pay: For working beyond your contracted hours
These components are bundled into a weekly pay rate, and you’ll often see job listings reflect total weekly gross or take-home estimates.
What Affects Your Pay?
Several factors influence how much you can earn:
- Location: High-demand areas like California, New York, and certain rural regions often pay more.
- Specialty: Critical care, OR, L&D, and ER nurses tend to have higher rates.
- Shift type: Night shifts and weekends typically come with higher pay.
- Experience: Nurses with strong clinical backgrounds or rare specialties may qualify for premium rates.
- Agency support: A good staffing agency advocates for fair pay and helps you understand the full compensation package—not just the hourly rate.
How Treva Supports Transparent Pay
At Treva, we believe you should always know what you’re earning and why. Our recruiters are transparent about pay packages, help you understand what’s included, and never pressure you into taking a contract that doesn’t meet your needs.
We also make sure:
- You’re paid weekly and on time
- You have options, not just one job to choose from
- You get housing support or a stipend, depending on your preferences
Know Your Worth. Choose What’s Right for You.
Your skills are valuable, and your time is too. Travel nursing gives you the opportunity to earn well, grow fast, and choose the career path that works for your life—not the other way around.
Want to see what your next assignment could pay?
👉 Search Travel Nursing Jobs
📩 Talk to a Treva Recruiter
We’ll help you find a role that fits your goals and pays what you deserve.
