Best States for Travel Nurses: Pay, Benefits, and Quality of Life
Ready to maximize your earning potential while enjoying an exceptional quality of life? This comprehensive guide breaks down the real numbers behind travel nursing compensation and reveals which states offer the best combination of pay, benefits, and lifestyle for 2025.
Choosing your next travel nursing assignment involves more than just looking at hourly rates. Smart travel nurses evaluate the complete picture: total compensation packages, cost of living, housing availability, and quality of life factors that make each assignment truly rewarding.
With the average annual pay for a travel nurse in the United States at $101,132 according to recent data, and significant variations between states, understanding where to find the best opportunities can dramatically impact your career and bank account.
The Complete Picture: Beyond Base Salary
Understanding Travel Nurse Compensation
Travel nurses receive more than just a straight hourly rate. They can receive non-taxed stipends for housing and living expenses, paid on top of their hourly rate. A typical compensation package includes:
Base hourly pay (taxable income)
Housing stipend (tax-free, typically $1,200-$4,500/month depending on location)
Meals & incidentals stipend (tax-free, usually $250-$500/month)
Travel reimbursement (typically $500 per assignment)
Health insurance and benefits
Completion and extension bonuses
Pro Tip: Many travel nurses take the housing stipend and find their own living arrangements, which can help nurses take home extra non-taxable pay if they find housing for less than the stipend amount.
Top-Paying States for Travel Nurses (2025 Data)
Highest Absolute Pay
Based on current market data, here are the top-paying states for travel nurses:
1. Washington - $114,542 annually ($55.07/hour) 2. District of Columbia - $114,282 annually ($54.94/hour) 3. New York - $110,642 annually ($53.19/hour) 4. California - Average of $44/hour with annual salary of $90,766 5. Pennsylvania - Second-highest average salary with lower cost of living than New York
Specialty-Specific High Earners
Travel nurse pay varies widely depending on specialty, with high-demand areas like ICU or OR often commanding top rates:
ICU Travel Nurses: $126,164 annually ($61/hour), with highest earners making up to $180,000
NICU Travel Nurses: $127,391 annually ($61/hour), with top earners bringing in $196,500
Travel Nurse Practitioners: $130,295 annually ($63/hour), with highest-earning practitioners making up to $200,000
Med-Surg Travel Nurses: $110,165 annually ($52.96/hour)
Best Value States: High Pay + Low Cost of Living
While high-paying states look attractive on paper, net earnings differ from purchasing potential, with the difference between net and adjusted salary estimates averaging $10,901 per year. Here are states offering the best combination of pay and affordability:
Michigan: The Sweet Spot
Michigan is the third cheapest of all U.S. states when considering cost of living, yet ranks as the 21st-best paying state in the country for nurses with a median hourly rate of more than $32 per hour. Benefits include:
Reasonable gasoline, groceries, housing, and energy prices
World-class medical centers like University of Michigan Hospitals
Great Lakes region offers excellent recreational opportunities
Texas: High Demand, Competitive Pay
Cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin have a growing demand for healthcare professionals, resulting in competitive compensation packages. Additional advantages:
No state income tax
Lower cost of living in most areas
Diverse healthcare systems and specialties
Oklahoma: Hidden Gem
Oklahoma is the fifth-cheapest state in the country based on average home price, common grocery prices, and energy costs, while still offering competitive travel nursing rates.
Indiana: Midwest Value
Indiana boasts modest home and energy prices, as well as inexpensive groceries, with great state parks and up-and-coming city life.
States with Highest Demand (More Opportunities)
Understanding where nurses are needed most can help you find assignments quickly and potentially negotiate better packages:
Critical Shortage States (2025)
According to recent nursing workforce projections, 34 states will have a shortage in 2025:
Severe Shortages:
Idaho: 38% shortage in 2025
North Carolina: 15% shortage in 2025, rising to 22% by 2037
Georgia, California, Washington: Among the hardest hit according to federal projections
States with Growing Demand:
Utah, Georgia, and Texas have the lowest nursing ratio with just seven RNs for every 1,000 people
North Dakota, Colorado, Texas, Florida, and Nevada are among the states anticipating the most pronounced nursing shortages
Recent Wage Growth Areas: Idaho and Tennessee stood out in October 2024 as states recording pay increases of 2.5% or more, indicating growing demand.
Housing Stipend Analysis by Region
Housing stipends vary dramatically by location and represent a significant portion of your total compensation:
High-Stipend Metropolitan Areas
Housing stipend ranges by major cities:
California:
Los Angeles: $3,500-$4,200 stipend vs. $3,200-$4,500 average rent
San Francisco: $3,800-$4,500 stipend vs. $3,500-$5,000 average rent
San Diego: $3,200-$3,800 stipend vs. $2,800-$3,500 average rent
East Coast:
New York City: Stipends typically $3,500-$4,000 vs. average rent $3,000-$4,000
Miami ranges between $4,260 and $6,450 monthly per diem rate, far exceeding the average Miami monthly rent of $3,200
Best Housing Value Opportunities
Travel nurse housing stipends are tax-free allowances, meaning you benefit financially without having to pay taxes on extra wages when you can find housing below the stipend amount.
Quality of Life Factors
Best Overall Lifestyle States
New Hampshire While the cost of living is higher, their lack of sales tax and higher wages help level the field, plus the demand is relatively high. Perfect for fall foliage enthusiasts and outdoor lovers.
Utah Known for its breathtaking landscapes, Utah offers travel nurses a unique blend of outdoor adventures and a growing healthcare industry, with world-class ski resorts and stunning national parks.
Minnesota Minnesota's renowned healthcare system and commitment to patient care make it an ideal destination, with a mix of urban and rural settings and strong emphasis on work-life balance.
Massachusetts While the cost of living is on the higher side, this state has one of the best inflation ratings and highest demand for healthcare workers, plus rich historical attractions and trendy cities.
Climate Considerations
Year-round warmth: Arizona, Florida, Southern California, Texas
Four seasons: New England states, Colorado, Utah
Mild climates: Pacific Northwest, Northern California
Professional Growth Opportunities
California stands out for mandated nurse-to-patient ratios across specialties and regulations that create a good working environment for medical staff.
New York offers many hospitals and medical facilities making it easy to find travel nursing jobs in your specialty, plus opportunities in Central and Upstate New York that are less expensive than Manhattan.
Benefits Packages: What to Look For
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Comprehensive medical insurance is essential for protecting your health while on assignment, with additional insurance options such as dental and vision coverage enhancing your overall compensation package.
Standard Benefits Include:
Housing and meal stipends, travel expense reimbursement, reimbursement for scrubs and supplies, signing and completion bonuses, health/dental/vision insurance, 401k options, and life insurance.
Premium Agency Offerings
Top agencies offer professional liability insurance exceeding industry standards ($2/$4 million), continuing education support, and 24/7 recruiter access.
2025 Market Trends to Watch
Salary Stabilization
For the first time since November 2022, the national average travel nursing pay rose in October 2024, climbing 0.5% from $2,260 to $2,272 per week, suggesting the market may be stabilizing after post-pandemic adjustments.
Emerging Opportunities
Maine stands out, having seen wages climb from $2,311 in May 2023 to $2,516 in May 2024, representing an 8.9% year-over-year increase.
Geographic Shifts
29 states will have shortages by 2037 compared to 34 in 2025, indicating improving conditions in some areas while others worsen.
Making Your Decision: A Strategic Approach
Calculate Total Compensation
Always evaluate the complete package:
Base hourly pay × hours worked
Housing stipend (minus actual housing costs)
Meal and incidental stipends
Travel reimbursements and bonuses
Value of benefits package
Consider Your Goals
Maximize earnings: Focus on high-paying states with favorable housing stipend-to-cost ratios
Build experience: Target states with prestigious medical systems and diverse patient populations
Quality of life: Prioritize states with activities and climates you enjoy
Career advancement: Choose locations with opportunities in your desired specialty
Tax Implications
To qualify for tax-free stipends, you must maintain a "tax home" - your permanent residence that you maintain and pay for while on assignment. This significantly impacts your take-home pay.
The Bottom Line: Strategic Planning Pays
The best state for your travel nursing career depends on your individual priorities, but the data shows clear winners in different categories:
For Maximum Earnings: Washington, D.C., New York, and California lead in absolute dollars For Best Value: Michigan, Texas, and Oklahoma offer strong pay with lower living costs
For Career Growth: California, New York, and Massachusetts provide top medical facilities For Quality of Life: Utah, New Hampshire, and Minnesota balance work with lifestyle
Remember: Travel roles still offer a pay premium over staff positions, with the average staff nurse wage at $45.36 or about $1,814 weekly compared to $2,294 weekly for travel RNs.
Your Next Step: Find the Perfect Assignment
At Geaux Care Staffing, we understand that finding the right assignment means balancing all these factors to match your unique goals and circumstances. Our team has deep knowledge of compensation packages, housing markets, and facility cultures across the country.
We help you:
Navigate complex compensation packages to maximize your total earnings
Find assignments in states with the best opportunities for your specialty
Connect with facilities that offer excellent working conditions and growth potential
Understand housing markets and stipend optimization strategies
Ready to find your ideal assignment? Our experienced recruiters are standing by to help you analyze opportunities and find the perfect match for your career goals and lifestyle preferences.
Contact Geaux Care Staffing today and discover why smart travel nurses choose us to guide their next career move.
Questions about specific states or compensation packages? We're here to provide the insights you need to make informed decisions about your travel nursing future.