Average RN Pay vs Average Travel Nurse Pay

If you’re trying to make the most money for your time as a nurse, you might be considering working as a travel nurse instead of taking a permanent full-time position. Travel nurses tend to make more per hour than their RN counterparts, but the rate varies drastically across the country. 

New data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows how the average RN pay compares to the average travel nurse pay in all 50 states. The average hourly pay for registered nurses in the U.S. is $39.78, or $1,591 weekly, according to the latest BLS data. And the average travel nurse pay in November of this year was $3,204 a week, according to a report from national healthcare hiring marketplace Vivian Health.

That means on average RNs make around 50% less than travel nurses. But the pay gap varies from state to state. Use this guide to see how pay rates compare in your state.

States with the Largest Pay Gap Between RNs and Travel Nurses

The state with the largest pay gap between the two professions is South Dakota. Travel nurses make around $3,343 per week while RNs make just $1,164 per 40-hour week. That’s a difference of $2,179 per week. Travel nurses make 287% more than RNs, and RNs only make around 35% of the travel nurse salary.

West Virginia comes in second where travel nurses make around $3,330 a week and RNs make just $1,301 a week. That’s a difference of $2,029. Travel nurses make 256% more than RNs and RNs make just 39% of the travel nurse salary.

Iowa has the third-biggest pay gap. Travel nurses make $3,169 on average per week, while RNs make just $1,250 per week. That’s a difference of $1,919 per week. Travel nurses make 254% more than RNs and RNs make just 39% of the travel nurse salary.

States with the Smallest Pay Gap Between RNs and Travel Nurses

The state with the smallest pay gap between the two professions is Hawaii. Travel nurses can make $3,102 per week while RNs make $2,049. That’s a difference of just $1,053 per week. Travel nurses make on average 151% more than RNs and RNs make around 66% of the travel nurse salary.

California has the second-smallest pay gap. Travel nurses make $4,060 per week on average while RNs make $2,385 per week. That’s a difference of around $1,675 per week. Travel nurses make 170% more than RNs and RNs make just 59% of the travel nurse salary.

Alaska is third with an average weekly salary of $3,310 per week for travel nurses and average weekly salary of $1,870 per week for RNs. That’s a pay difference of $1,440 per week. Travel nurses make 177% more than RNs and RNs make just 59% of the travel nurse salary.

Clearly, travel nurses stand to make more for their time in all 50 states compared to RNs but the pay gap fluctuates dramatically all over the country. If you are working as a travel nurse, you may not have a say over where you work, so be prepared to see your pay rate vary from one assignment to the next.