The "gold rush" of travel nursing didn't actually end when the pandemic did. It just changed shapes. Honestly, if you're looking at those old 2021 screenshots of $10,000-a-week contracts, you're looking at a ghost. But if you think the money has completely dried up, you're also wrong.
So, how much money do travel nurses make right now in 2026?
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The short answer: a lot more than staff nurses, but with a lot more fine print than there used to be. Most travel nurses currently bring home between $2,100 and $3,100 per week. If you’re doing the math, that’s roughly $101,132 to $125,000 a year, assuming you take a few weeks off between assignments.
But "average" is a dangerous word in this industry. A Med-Surg nurse in Alabama and a CVICU nurse in the Bay Area live in two different financial universes.
The Pay Package: It’s Not Just an Hourly Rate
When you look at a travel contract, the hourly wage often looks... tiny. Like, "why am I doing this for $25 an hour?" tiny.
Don't panic.
In travel nursing, the "blended rate" is the only number that matters. This is the combination of your taxable hourly pay and your tax-free stipends for housing and meals. This is basically the "secret sauce" of travel nurse wealth.
Why stipends are the MVP
The IRS allows agencies to pay you "reimbursements" for living expenses if you are duplicating costs—meaning you’re paying for a home in your home state while also paying for a place to sleep near the hospital.
- Tax-free money: Because it’s a reimbursement, not "income," Uncle Sam doesn't touch it.
- The 50-mile "rule": You’ll hear people talk about a 50-mile rule to get these stipends. Kinda true, kinda not. The IRS doesn't actually have a specific mileage; they just care that you are far enough away that you reasonably need to sleep away from home.
- The catch: If you don't actually pay for a "tax home" (like your own mortgage or fair-market rent to a landlord), that tax-free money becomes taxable. If you get audited and can't prove you duplicated expenses, the IRS will come for their cut. Hard.
Where the Big Checks Are Hiding in 2026
Geography is destiny here. California is still the undisputed heavyweight champion of pay, mostly because of state-mandated ratios and a high cost of living.
According to data from Vivian Health and ZipRecruiter, states like Washington, New York, and Massachusetts are consistently topping the charts, often offering weekly gross pay north of $2,800. Meanwhile, if you’re heading to the South or the Midwest, you might see packages closer to $2,100.
But wait.
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A $3,000 check in San Francisco might actually buy you less than a $2,200 check in Des Moines once you factor in the $3,500-a-month studio apartment you're renting.
Highest Paying States (Average Weekly)
- California: $2,644+
- Alaska: $2,556+
- Rhode Island: $2,544+
- New Jersey: $2,447+
- Massachusetts: $2,443+
The Specialty Premium: ICU vs. Med-Surg
If you want the top-tier money, you need the "letters" after your name. General floor nursing—Med-Surg or Psych—usually sits at the bottom of the travel pay scale. It's not because the work is easier (it's definitely not), but because the supply of nurses is higher.
The real money lives in the "high-acuity" units.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) who travel are essentially in a league of their own, sometimes clearing $260,000 a year. For the rest of us "regular" RNs, the ICU and the OR are where the leverage is.
- ICU / CVICU: These roles are currently seeing weekly rates between $2,700 and $3,500.
- Labor & Delivery: A classic high-demand specialty, often hitting $2,400 to $3,000.
- Emergency Room: High stress, high pay. Expect $2,400 to $3,200.
- Med-Surg: Usually hovers around $2,000 to $2,500.
Crisis Rates and "Strike" Contracts
Every once in a while, you’ll see a "Crisis Rate." These are basically the hospital saying, "We are desperate, and we will throw money at the problem."
These contracts are usually short (4-8 weeks) and intense. You might be expected to start in 48 hours. The pay? It can still spike to $4,000 or $5,000 a week, but they are much rarer in 2026 than they were a few years ago.
And then there are strike contracts. If a hospital’s staff goes on strike, they’ll pay "scab" nurses astronomical amounts—sometimes $10,000 for a single week—to keep the doors open. It’s controversial. It’s exhausting. But it’s the highest hourly rate a nurse can possibly earn.
Why Do Travel Nurses Make So Much More Than Staff?
It feels unfair. You’re standing next to a staff nurse doing the exact same job, but you’re making double their hourly rate.
Why?
It's basically a business transaction. A hospital pays an agency a "bill rate." Let's say it's $120 an hour. The agency takes their cut for insurance, overhead, and profit, then gives you $80 an hour (split between taxable pay and stipends).
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The hospital does this because:
- No Benefits: They aren't paying for your 401k match, your health insurance, or your paid time off.
- Flexibility: They can cut you loose the second the "census" (patient count) drops.
- On-boarding: You are expected to hit the ground running with only one or two days of orientation. You aren't being "trained"; you are a "plug-and-play" solution.
The Hidden Costs: What They Don't Tell You on TikTok
You see the "lifestyle" videos. The beach, the mountain hikes, the big paychecks. What you don't see is the "Travel Nurse Tax."
First, there’s the duplication of expenses. You’re paying two rents. If you aren't careful, that "extra" money just goes straight to a landlord in a city you don't even like.
Then there’s the lack of stability. In 2026, hospitals are "rate dropping" more frequently. You might sign a contract for $3,000 a week, move across the country, and two weeks in, the hospital says, "Actually, we’re only paying $2,400 now. Take it or leave it."
If you leave, you’re stuck with a lease and no income. It's a gamble.
How to Maximize Your Take-Home Pay
If you're going to do this, do it right. Don't just take the first offer from a recruiter who calls you "babe."
- Work the "float pool" mentally: Be willing to go to the "unpopular" states. Everyone wants to be in San Diego or Miami. If you’re willing to go to a rural hospital in North Dakota in February, you can negotiate a much higher bill rate.
- Pick a high-demand specialty: If you're Med-Surg, spend a year in the ICU to get that experience before you hit the road. It’s worth an extra $500+ a week.
- Watch the seasons: Florida pays better in the winter (when the "snowbirds" arrive and hospitals get crowded). Northern states often pay a premium in the winter because, well, it's cold and nobody wants to go there.
- Negotiate your "Extension": When a hospital asks you to stay for another 13 weeks, they’ve already saved money on your orientation. Ask for a loyalty bonus or a higher hourly rate to sign that extension.
Actionable Steps for Your First (or Next) Contract
Before you sign anything, do these three things:
- Verify the GSA Rates: Look up the "General Services Administration" per diem rates for the zip code of your hospital. If your agency is offering you a stipend higher than the GSA max, it might be "wage recharacterization," which is a big red flag for the IRS.
- Calculate the "Net": Don't look at the gross. Calculate your housing, your "home" expenses, and your taxes. If the "net" isn't at least 30% higher than your current staff job, the stress might not be worth the cash.
- Check the "Cancelation Clause": Ensure your contract has a notice period. You don't want to show up Monday morning to find out your contract was canceled with zero pay because the hospital hired a new staff grad.
Travel nursing in 2026 is a business. Treat it like one, and you can still make life-changing money. Treat it like a vacation, and you might end up broke with a very expensive Instagram feed.