travel nurse assignment pay

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How Travel Nurse Pay Works: A Comprehensive Guide

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Understanding travel nurse pay: your comprehensive guide.

Travel nursing is an exciting career option for registered nurses, offering the opportunity to explore new locations while helping patients in different healthcare facilities. As a travel nurse, understanding your pay is important to help you make informed decisions about your career and financial future. In this guide, we explore how travel nurse pay works, the factors that influence your earnings, and how to negotiate your contract to get the best pay package possible.

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How Does Travel Nurse Pay Work?

Travel nurse pay can be a complicated topic for many healthcare professionals. Unlike staff nurse positions, travel nursing contracts often come with multiple variables that can impact your take-home pay. This can include the bill rates at healthcare facilities, additional benefits like housing stipends, and vendor management fees that certain travel nursing companies apply to your pay. In this article, we will explore these various factors and dive deeper into how your pay works as a travel nurse.

Taxable Base Rates: What You Need to Know

First and foremost, it's essential to understand that your taxable base rate is the core component of your travel nursing pay package. As a travel nurse, this is the hourly wage that is taxed, similar to how a staff nurse is paid. This ensures you remain compliant with tax laws while working in your nursing position. Importantly, taxable base rates can vary between different travel nursing agencies, so it is essential to be aware of the rate you are receiving when comparing offers.

Tiered Bill Rates: How They Affect Your Earnings

Healthcare facilities typically pay travel nursing companies a bill rate for their services, which in turn covers your pay, benefits, and agency overhead costs. Some facilities use a tiered bill rate system, meaning the rates they pay to travel nursing companies can fluctuate based on specific factors. For example, a hospital may offer a higher bill rate for a nursing position in a hard-to-fill specialty or for an urgent need, which can sometimes result in increased pay for the travel nurse.

Being aware of tiered bill rates can be helpful when comparing travel nursing contracts and understanding the basis of your earnings. By exploring opportunities with higher bill rates, you could potentially maximize your earnings during your assignment.

Gross Profit Margin: Understanding Your Agency's Profit

Travel nursing companies make their profit by skimming some of the bill rates paid by healthcare facilities after covering the costs of your pay, benefits, and company overhead. This profit is referred to as the gross profit margin, and it's an important aspect to understand when examining the difference in pay between multiple agencies.

A transparent travel nursing agency should be able to provide a sample breakdown of how much from the bill rate is allocated towards your pay, benefits, payroll costs (e.g., taxes and Social Security), liability insurance, and company overhead. This understanding can empower you to ensure you're getting a fair deal and to potentially negotiate better pay and benefits if there's room for it within the bill rate.

Breaking Down the Travel Nursing Pay Package

Now that we have a grasp of taxable base rates, bill rates, and gross profit margin, let's dive into the other aspects of the travel nursing pay package, including travel stipends, housing reimbursements, and vendor management fees. These factors can have a profound effect on your final take-home pay, so it's essential to understand and compare them carefully when considering travel nursing contracts.

Travel Nursing Salary: Factors That Influence Your Earnings

Travel nursing agencies typically offer a benefits package on top of your taxable base rate, which can include housing stipends, travel reimbursements, and other tax-free reimbursements. It's important to understand how these factors work in addition to your base pay to get a full picture of your overall earnings on an assignment.

For instance, housing stipends might be offered based on the cost of living in your assignment area, while your travel stipend could cover any expenses related to commuting to and from your tax home. Some agencies may also offer shift differentials, overtime, certification reimbursement, or other bonuses that can influence your pay. Keep these factors in mind as you explore travel nursing contracts and compare offers.

Vendor Management Fees: What They Are and How They Affect Your Pay

Vendor management fees are another crucial aspect of the travel nursing pay package. Some healthcare facilities employ a Vendor Management System (VMS) to streamline the process of onboarding and managing temporary staff, including travel nurses. These VMS companies typically charge a small percentage of the bill rate as their fee, which is ultimately passed on to the travel nursing agency in the form of a reduced bill rate.

When a vendor management fee is taken into account, it can potentially influence the bottom line of your pay package. Agencies might have less flexibility in offering higher pay or better benefits given the reduced bill rates. Understanding this aspect of the system can help you set realistic expectations for pay when working with healthcare facilities that use a VMS.

Agencies Gross Profit: How It Affects Your Paycheck

Lastly, it's crucial to reiterate the connection between your travel nursing pay and the agency's gross profit. As mentioned earlier, travel nursing companies make their money by allocating a portion of the bill rate after covering your pay and benefits. Some agencies may have larger overhead costs or simply choose to retain more profit, resulting in lower pay and benefits for you. In contrast, other agencies that operate on a slimmer margin might be able to offer you better pay or additional benefits.

To ensure you get the best possible pay package and a fair deal from your agency, it's essential to ask questions and ensure transparency in their breakdown of the bill rate. Comparing your pay and benefits across multiple agencies can help you find the best fit for your needs and potentially increase your overall travel nurse earnings.

Understanding Your Total Pay Package as a Travel Nurse

When considering a travel nursing contract, it's essential to understand the various components that make up your total pay package. Unlike staff nurse positions, the travel nursing pay structure often comprises several components, including hourly wages, stipends, bonuses, and even liability insurance reimbursements. Travel nursing companies work with healthcare facilities to determine the bill rate for each nursing position - a figure that encompasses a travel nurse's wages, benefits, and vendor management fee paid to the agency.

To fully comprehend your travel nursing pay package, it's crucial to break down each element, such as the base pay, travel stipend, and housing stipend. Doing so will help you make informed decisions when comparing offers from different travel nursing agencies. Furthermore, understanding your pay package will help you negotiate more effectively with travel nursing companies, ensuring that you receive a fair deal for your services.

Travel Nursing Pay: Other Forms of Compensation to Consider

Beyond base pay, travel nursing agencies offer additional compensation to make their positions attractive and competitive. Recognizing these other forms of compensation is essential when comparing travel nursing pay packages:

1. Travel Stipend: Many travel nursing contracts include a travel stipend to cover the cost of transportation to and from your assignment. This amount varies depending on the distance of the assignment and the travel nursing agencies you choose.

2. Housing Stipend: A crucial aspect of a travel nursing pay package is the housing stipend. This stipend is intended to cover the cost of temporary housing during your assignment. It's essential to verify whether this housing stipend is sufficient to cover the entire cost of accommodation in your destination city.

3. Bonuses and Incentives: Travel nursing companies may also offer bonuses and incentives, such as completion bonuses or extension bonuses, to travel nurses who fulfill their contract obligations or extend their contracts beyond the initial term. These bonuses can enhance the travel nursing pay package and should be taken into consideration when evaluating offers.

4. Liability Insurance: Some travel nursing agencies provide liability insurance coverage for their nurses. This coverage is essential for travel nurses, as liability claims can be financially devastating. Ensure to inquire whether the travel nursing company includes this insurance in their pay package or if you need to secure it independently.

Travel Nurse Housing: Options and Costs

For many travel nurses, housing is one of the most critical considerations when accepting a traveling nursing position. Typically, travel nursing agencies offer two primary housing options - agency-provided housing or a housing stipend. Travel nurses can elect to use the stipend to arrange their accommodation, or they can choose to stay in housing organized and funded by the travel nursing company.

When evaluating housing options, travel nurses should account for factors such as location, convenience, safety, and cost-efficiency. If you decide to arrange your housing, research average rental rates in the assignment's city to ensure the housing stipend is sufficient to cover accommodation costs. Keep in mind that agency-provided housing is often move-in ready and may include furniture, utilities, and other conveniences that make transitions easier.

How to Negotiate Your Travel Nursing Contract

When negotiating your travel nursing pay package, it's essential to approach the process with a thorough understanding of the various components and industry norms. The following steps can help you negotiate effectively with travel nursing companies:

1. Research and compare: Gather information on travel nursing pay packages from multiple travel nursing agencies and identify the industry's standard rates for your specialty and experience. This knowledge will empower you when negotiating your desired pay package.

2. Determine your priorities: Before entering negotiations, identify which components of the pay package are most important to you, such as the housing stipend or travel reimbursement. This clarity will allow you to focus on those areas during the negotiation process.

3. Be assertive and confident: Don't be afraid to express your desires and concerns regarding the contract. Remember that travel nursing agencies' primary goal is to ensure your satisfaction so that you remain with the company. Your assertiveness may secure you a better pay package or assignment conditions.

4. Consult a mentor or colleague: If you have connections in the travel nursing industry, seek their advice on negotiating contracts and navigating conversations with recruiters. Gaining insight from experienced travel nurses can be invaluable during the negotiation process.

Sample Breakdown of a Travel Nursing Pay Package

Here's an example of a travel nursing pay package, with amounts allocated for various pay components:

• Base Pay (Hourly Wages): $25 per hour
• Overtime Pay: $37.50 per hour (1.5 times the base pay)
• Housing Stipend: $2000 per month
• Travel Stipend: $500 upon completion of the contract
• Completion Bonus: $1000 upon contract completion
• Extension Bonus: $500 for extending the contract past the initial date
• Liability Insurance: Included in the pay package

By understanding the various components and industry norms, a travel nurse can successfully evaluate and negotiate their travel nursing contract. Comparing offers, researching housing options, and effectively communicating your needs to travel nursing companies will ensure that you secure favorable travel nursing pay and assignment conditions.

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Sample Breakdown of a Travel Nursing Pay Package

Travel nursing pay packages are complex because they incorporate many variables that are not common in traditional pay packages. Meanwhile, many people believe that travel nursing agencies are actively gouging hospitals and employees. In this article, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown of a travel nursing pay package, including all the costs that come out on the agency’s side. We hope this information helps travel nurses negotiate better pay packages and helps everyone achieve a more thorough understanding of how travel nursing pay works.

What is a travel nursing bill rate?

All travel nursing pay-packages begin with a “bill rate”. A bill rate for travel nurses is the hourly rate that an agency can charge the hospital for the travel nurse’s work. Essentially, bill rates account for all the revenue that travel nursing agencies generate. Therefore, all costs, including the travel nurse’s pay, come out of the bill rate.

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Bill rates vary from hospital to hospital and from contract to contract. As a result, travel nursing agencies calculate pay rates for each job based on each job’s specific bill rate.

In this article, we’ll use a bill rate of $90 per hour. This is a common bill rate for travel Registered Nurses in many parts of the country in the 2023 job market.

That said, it’s important to note that bill rates fluctuate depending on market circumstances. For example, bill rates are much higher when the travel nursing job market is hot and demand for travelers is high.

Are Travel Nursing Agencies Gouging Their Partners?

When bill rates are high, we routinely receive inquiries and see statements on social media asserting that travel healthcare agencies gouge hospitals and healthcare professionals. In most cases, the evidence is a comparison between the bill rate the agency charges the hospital and the pay rate the agency pays the healthcare professional.

For example, the evidence might be that the bill rate is $90 per hour and the pay rate is $53 per hour. Therefore, the accuser assumes, the agency is keeping the difference of $37 per hour, or 41% of the bill rate, as profit.

This assumption is wholly incorrect. Unfortunately, it is also prevalent and pervasive. It is routinely spread by self-proclaimed experts who have unfortunately become social media influencers.

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The truth is that there are many compensation variables and costs that are not reflected in the pay rate or on the pay stub. When we account for these variables, the agencies’ actual profit margins become much more reasonable.

That said, it is still possible for an agency to gouge a traveler or a hospital. We hope that this breakdown of all the variables will help us recognize the difference more easily.

What are contract time variables?

In addition to the bill rate, we must also consider the travel nursing contract’s “time variables.” This is because agencies bill hospitals for time the traveler works. More time equals more money. Moreover, more time means that fixed costs, like a travel stipend, become a smaller percentage of total expenses.

Time varies from contract to contract. For example, you’ll find contracts for 36 hours per week and others for 40 hours per week. Some contracts are 13 weeks, while others are only eight weeks. Moreover, some contracts, like those in California, pay overtime after 8 hours in a day .

For this example, we’ll use 13 weeks and 36 hours per week as the time variables. These are the most common time variables for travel nursing contracts. We’ll also use standard overtime rules in this example (so there won’t be any overtime hours involved).

So, here are the details we have so far:

• Bill rate: $90/hour
• Duration: 13 weeks
• Hours per week: 36
• Total contract hours: 468
• Total anticipated revenue: $42,120 (468*$90)

What are travel nursing pay package burdens?

Now let’s take a look at a set of costs that the industry commonly refers to as “burdens”. These are expenses agencies incur which are directly related to the healthcare professional or securing the assignment for the healthcare professional. However, they are not listed on a pay stub or the contract between the agency and the traveler.

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Please note that different agencies may classify these costs differently. However, we will be accounting for all costs in our example, so our calculations will ultimately end up in the same place. That said, here are some examples of burdens:

Orientation hours

Many agency/hospital contracts include non-billable orientation hours . Essentially, the agency agrees not to bill the hospital for a specified number of hours during the travel nurse’s orientation.

The standard range for non-billable hours is anywhere from 4 hours to 12 hours, but it can be more. Note that the agency still has to pay the travel nurse for this time. Therefore, it essentially turns into a cost for the agency.

Vendor management fees

Many hospitals utilize Vendor Management Services (VMS) . These services provide a host of tools that help hospitals and agencies centralize, standardize and streamline the process of talent acquisition.

Of course, these services cost money. To collect that money, the VMS typically takes a cut of the bill rate. In the past, the VMS’s cut would typically range between 2% and 6%. These days, we’ve heard numbers as high as 20%. For example, if the bill rate was $150 per hour, then the VMS would take $30, leaving the agency with $120.

Tiered bill rates

Tiered bill rates are very similar to Vendor Management Fees. With tiered bill rates, the VMS separates their staffing agency partners into tiers. Each tier gets a different bill rate. However, the hospital is always billed the same rate.

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It’s important to note that the only bill rate the hospital ever really knows about is the actual bill rate. Therefore, when hospitals share bill rates with travelers, they are almost always sharing the bill rate before any VMS fees or tier modifications.

Billing fees

Sometimes hospitals charge agencies a billing fee. The intent of this fee is to cover the hospital’s costs for settling the bills between the agency and the hospital. If this fee exists, then it’s typically 2 to 3 percent of the bill rate, sometimes less.

Liability Insurance

Almost every agency/hospital contract has a clause that requires the agency to carry liability insurance for each traveler. The contracts typically require both Professional and General liability insurance. The coverage is necessary regardless of whether or not the traveler carries their own liability insurance.

Licensing / Credentials / Medical Record Costs

Next, hospitals require agencies to submit and maintain credentials for each traveler that an agency has working at a hospital. These credentialing requirements vary from hospital to hospital. The requirements often include licenses, certifications, medical exams, drug screens, background checks and more.

Credentialing costs vary depending on what’s involved. It’s often between $150 and $1,000 per contract. Agencies know that sometimes it will cost more and sometimes less. Therefore, they usually try to determine an average cost they can apply to all contracts.

In this example, we’ll use 12 hours of non-billable orientation, a 6% vendor management fee, $650 for liability insurance and $500 for compliance costs.

So, at this point, we have the following:

• Non-billable orientation: $1,080 (12 hours*$90) = $2.31 per hour (1080/468)
• Vendor Management fee: $5.40 per hour (.06*90)
• Liability Insurance: $1.39 per hour (650/468)
• Compliance: $500 = $1.07 per hour (500/468)

Taxable base rates and payroll costs

Next, we’ll review the payroll costs the agency will incur. We begin with the “taxable base rate,” which is the taxable hourly rate the agency pays to the travel nurse.

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As we previously discussed , the travel nursing pay package is like a pie. Some agencies will offer a low taxable base rate and higher stipends , while others will offer higher base rates and lower stipends. The important thing to understand is that paying higher taxable base rates increases the agency’s payroll costs.

You see, both employees and employers pay Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes. The FICA tax for employers is currently 7.65 percent of gross compensation. Therefore, if an agency pays a taxable base rate of $10 per hour, they incur $0.765 in FICA costs per hour. By contrast, if an agency pays a taxable base rate of $20 per hour, they incur $1.53 in FICA costs per hour.

Similarly, agencies must also pay certain taxes to the state based on the taxable base rate. These taxes can include disability insurance, workers’ compensation, and unemployment insurance costs. These taxes and burdens vary dramatically from state to state.

Finally, it’s important to note that federal payroll taxes and most state payroll taxes cap out at various income levels. However, the taxes typically apply to all the taxable income that travel nurses earn because travel nurses tend to receive a relatively small percentage of their income as taxable pay which means that travel nurses often do not reach the cap levels.

In this example, we’ll use a taxable base rate of $25 per hour and a state tax and burden cost of 3.5%.

• Taxable base rate: $25 per hour
• Employer’s FICA: $1.91 per hour ($25*.0765)
• State DI/UI/WC: $0.88 per hour ($25*.035)

Travel nursing tax-free reimbursements and benefits

Now we’re left with the tax-free reimbursements and benefits that the agency can potentially provide to the traveler. The most common tax-free reimbursements and benefits are:

• Travel stipends
• Meals and incidental expenditure (M&IE) stipends
• Lodging stipends or company-provided housing
• Medical benefits.

However, agencies may also offer rental cars, 401ks, tickets to major sporting events, and many other offerings.

In this example, we’ll use a travel stipend of $1,000, an M&IE stipend of $350 per week, and a lodging stipend of $2800 per month. We’ll also assume that the travel nurse will take the agency’s medical insurance. Let’s assume the cost to the agency for the medical benefits is $450 per month.

• Travel Stipend: $2.14 per hour (1000/468)
• M&IE Stipend: $9.72 per hour (350/36)
• Lodging Stipend: $17.95 per hour (2800*3/468)
• Medical Benefits: $2.88 per hour (450*3/468)

Sample breakdown of a travel nursing pay package

Let’s put everything together to see how this sample pay package breaks down. We’ll start by subtracting the burdens and payroll costs from the bill rate. While this is an unconventional approach, it will provide us with a clear illustration of how the bill rate breaks down to the pay rate.

We started with a bill rate of $90 per hour. From that, we are going to subtract our burdens and payroll costs. They are as follows:

• $2.31 per hour: Non-billable orientation
• $5.40 per hour: Vendor Management fee
• $1.39 per hour: Liability insurance
• $1.07 per hour: Compliance and credentials
• $1.91 per hour: FICA
• $0.88 per hour: State DI/UI/WC

These costs total $12.96 per hour. So, we’re left with $77.04 per hour ($90 – $12.96).

Now let’s subtract the compensation variables from the remaining $77.04 to see what the agency is left with to run their operations. The compensation variables are as follows:

• $25 per hour: Taxable base rate
• $2.14 per hour: Travel Stipend
• $9.72 per hour: M&IE Stipend
• $17.95 per hour: Lodging Stipend
• $2.88 per hour: Medical Benefits

The compensation variables above total $57.69 per hour. So, this leaves the agency with $19.35 per hour as their gross profit per hour worked ($77.04 – $57.69).

What’s the travel nursing company’s gross profit margin?

Everyone has probably heard the term “profit margin” or “gross profit margin.” A company’s gross profit margin is calculated as follows:

Gross Profit / Revenue = Profit Margin%

Different travel nursing companies calculate this in different ways. The main difference is in how they treat “revenue.” Some companies consider the total bill rate to be their revenue. In this case, the agency’s gross profit margin is 21.5% percent in our example. That’s the $19.35 gross profit divided by the $90 bill rate.

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Other companies define their revenue as only what they receive after removing the Vendor Management fee ($90 bill rate minus the $5.40 vendor management fee). In this case, the revenue would be $84.60. Therefore, their gross profit margin would be 22.87% percent. ($19.35 gross profit divided by $84.60.)

Travel nursing agencies typically strive to obtain gross profit margins between 20 and 25 percent. Therefore, this example would be a decent rate for the travel nurse.

Clearing the confusion

Now we can revisit the confusion caused by comparing the pay rate to the bill rate. In our example, the “pay rate” that the healthcare professional sees on their pay stub is $52.67. That’s the taxable hourly base, the lodging stipend and the M&IE stipend.

If we thought that the remaining $37.33 per hour went to the agency, then we would think the agency’s gross profit was over 42%. However, as we demonstrated above, the agency’s gross profit is only 21.5%.

Finally, it’s important to note that agencies must use the gross profit to cover their own operating expenses. Those expenses include pay for their recruiters, account managers, compliance team, payroll team, accountants and others. The costs also include software licenses, office space, phone systems and more.

Understanding the pay package in this light is highly beneficial for travel nurses. Travel nurses can use this information to inform their negotiations. They can also use this information to help them compare competing pay packages . As a result, they’ll be better able to spot good deals versus bad ones and ultimately make more money!

Related posts:

• Travel Nursing Pay – Qualifying for Tax-Free Stipends and Tax Deductions: Part 2: Maintaining Temporary Status In our previous blog post we laid out the criteria under...
• Travel Nursing Pay: Flexible vs. Rigid If you’ve discussed travel nursing pay with multiple agencies, then...
• 5 Reasons Travel Nursing Pay Quotes Can Be Wrong Pay is among the most important variables that travel nurses...

Hey Kyle, Thanks this is a great article! How do you find out the bill rate? Is your recruiter allowed to deny that info if you ask for it? What I’m not getting is how do you know its a good offer vs a low ball without first knowing the bill rate? Is there a somewhat standard hourly that tends to be a good offer vs a not so good offer? Thanks, Elizabeth

Hey Elizabeth,

I’m glad to hear the article is useful! You can ask for the bill rate. The recruiter is allowed to deny your request. In some cases, the contract between the hospital and the agency makes the bill rates confidential. I think it’s best to view it like any other job. For some reason, there is a tendency for travelers to think that agencies are “making money off of them”. This is obviously true, but no more so than any permanent employer. The Hospital Corporation of America is a publicly traded hospital company. They report gross profits of 80%+ and net profits of 3%-6%. We typically wouldn’t require a permanent employer to let us know how much revenue they were generating off of us. We have an article on this topic here .

That said, we should always negotiate to get the best deal. I see many travelers these days saying you shouldn’t work for less than $1500 net (not including free housing) outside of California and $2000 net in California for a 36 hour/week contract. However, I don’t believe in negotiating with bottom lines. The best way to know whether or not you’re getting a good deal is to compare offers from multiple agencies. It takes a little extra time, but it’s worth it.

We actually have a free eBook on negotiating. You can get it by joining BluePipes through this link . If you’ve already joined then you can get it by logging in and going to bluepipes.com/ebook. Here are a couple of articles that might help too:

Negotiating Tips for Travel Nurses Improve Travel Nurse Negotiating Strength

I hope this helps!

I am new to traveling I will begin my first assignment in January 2017 I am not sure what to ask or what to look for. How do I obtain housing, do I drive my own car? Its all very new to me

Congratulations on your first assignment, Michelle. Yes, it can be overwhelming with all of the variables. In most cases, you can obtain housing through the agency you work with, or you can secure your own housing and receive a housing stipend from the agency. Most travelers bring their own car because rental cars are expensive and will reduce the pay rate your receive from the agency.

You can find more detailed information on all these issues on our blog. Use the search option in the navbar. This video seems to be particularly useful to new travelers. I hope this helps!

This is the best thing I have read about my profession since I started travel nursing! Many, many thanks

Thank you so much for the wealth of knowledge your site comprehensively provides. After doing some research, I’ve determined that I will not be maintaining a tax home and will therefore be an itinerant traveler. As such, I will not be eligible for most Tax Advantage Plans, which typically include meals and incidental expenses. Do you have any advice for how an itinerant traveler should evaluate and negotiate a contract? Thanks!!

Hey Catherine!

You’re very welcome and thank you! We’re glad to hear the information is useful. I would say that evaluating and negotiating would be much the same. For evaluating, you still want to make sure that you’re considering every pay component that the agency is offering. For negotiating, it’s always best to work with multiple agencies so that you have alternatives and get them competing for your services. That said, I don’t have a blog post specifically for this topic, but I’ll work on one (thanks for the idea!). In the mean time, here are some links that might be of use (you may have seen them already, but just in case).

Travel Nursing – Is It Worth It Without a Tax Home? Travel Nursing Pay Comparison Video Travel Nursing Overtime Pay Video Negotiating Travel Nursing Pay Free eBook

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Tips for How to Maximize Your Travel Nurse Pay

• In the United States, travel registered nurses (RNs) make on average $43,020 more per year than staff RNs.
• Travel RN pay is affected by many factors including location, specialty, living arrangements, and contract negotiations.
• Boosting your travel RN pay is a matter of knowing how to leverage your travel nursing career.

As a travel nurse, you can make a considerable amount of money, more than you would as a staff nurse. Explore tips from travel nurses on ways to bring home even more pay while on and off assignments.

Salary Comparison: Travel Nurses vs. Staff Nurses

When comparing the salaries of both travel and staff RNs in the U.S., travel nursing could be an option if you want to boost your nursing pay overall. According to ZipRecruiter, as of March 2023 the average travel RN salary is $118,400 in comparison to $75,380 for staff RNs. That’s a $43,020 pay differential.

Travel Registered Nurses $118,400*

Staff Registered Nurses $75,380*

*Average Salary in the United States (2023) Sources: ZipRecruiter.com ; ZipRecruiter.com

Alaina Ross, BSN, RN, a postanesthesia care unit travel RN, typically makes between 30-50% more as a travel nurse (includes housing stipend) than as a staff nurse. She says, “You have much more leverage in negotiating pay as a traveler, and as such, it generally pays better.”

Lack of benefits is also a factor. You get a higher salary as a travel nurse because you typically do not receive the hospital or facility benefits that a staff RN would (for instance,. health insurance, retirement matching, bonuses, raises, and union benefits).

While travel RNs are reportedly paid a higher salary than that of staff RNs, there are specific factors that can have a direct impact on pay.

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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Factors That Affect Travel Nurse Pay

Where you work can have a significant effect on your pay. Ross mentions that her California contracts have paid twice as much as her Texas contracts. Due to staffing shortages and higher cost of living, some states and cities simply pay more. It’s also important to take into account how you will be taxed for working in a state.

According to ZipRecruiter as of March 2023 , New York, New Hampshire, and Arizona are the highest-paying states for travel nursing.

These are the top five highest-paying U.S. cities for travel nurses as of March 2023.

Source: ZipRecruiter

Nursing Specialty

Travel nursing pay may be affected by your nursing specialty. ZipRecruiter reported that as of March 2023, travel RNs working in nursing speciality positions are paid between $50,630- $63,060 more than the average RN travel nurse salary of $118,400.

These are the top five highest-paying travel nursing specialties as of March 2023.

Living Arrangements

Your decision to take a housing stipend or the company-provided housing can affect your travel nurse pay. A housing stipend is the extra money that a travel nursing agency pays you to find a place to live while on assignment. Choosing the housing stipend option can significantly increase your overall pay, especially if you manage to find a very affordable living arrangement.

4 Tips to Boost Your Travel Nurse Pay/Find High-Paying Assignments

Boosting your travel nurse pay places extra cash in your pockets for exploring the new city on your days off, advancing your career, saving for retirement, or paying off debt. Here are four tips to help boost your pay.

1 | Find a good recruiter.

A good recruiter goes above and beyond to find assignments that fit your specific needs. Tell your recruiter exactly how much you want to be paid. Ross advises, “Tell them your desired locations, contract lengths, minimum pay thresholds, and see what they can round up.”

A great way to locate good recruiters is to join online travel nursing communities (e.g., The Gypsy Nurse ) and social networking groups (e.g., LinkedIn or Facebook) to connect with other travel nurses for recommendations.

2 | Choose assignments that are in high demand.

You can receive a higher salary if you choose assignments in states that have a high nursing shortage . You can also work in geographically remote or unpopular locations.

Ross says, “I cannot tell you how many texts I get from travel nurse recruiters who offer ungodly amounts of money to go work in undesirable locations.”

High-demand crisis assignments are another way to increase your travel nurse pay. According to March 2023 Ziprecruiter data, crisis travel RNs make an average of $150,560 per year.

3 | Be selective with the assignments you take.

You have a right to decline an assignment if it does not meet your pay expectations. Ross says, “Travel nurses today have a lot of power and you can afford to be choosy.”

Work with several recruiters and choose from a variety of assignments offered to you. Remember that recruiters are working for you. Ross notes, “I just sit back and review text messages when they find contracts that might fit.”

4 | Take the housing stipend and find cheaper housing.

Ross recommends taking the housing stipend if given the choice. She states, “Stipends can make a big difference in net pay as you can usually find housing for cheaper.” For half of her assignments, she lived in an RV with her husband to save on housing costs.

While you may not own an RV, you can rent a room in someone’s home or stay in extended-stay hotels. You can also work with a short-term housing rental company like Airbnb or Vrbo to save on housing costs.

How to Make Extra Money as a Travel Nurse

A great way to make extra money as a travel nurse is to work a part-time or freelance nursing job on the side or in between assignments. You can find these positions on job boards (e.g., Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor). Here are five ways to make some extra cash.

Telenursing

As a telehealth nurse, you can work remotely as a telephonic triage nurse, virtual nurse coach, or telephonic case manager. Telehealth nurses make an average of $36 an hour, according to March 2023 ZipRecruiter data.

Private Duty Nursing

As a private duty nurse, you can work flexible shifts one-on-one with patients in their homes. According to ZipRecruiter , as of March 2023 private duty nurses make an average of $36 an hour.

Health Writing

Use your knowledge of the healthcare field to write health-related articles for blog sites, publications, and even pharmaceutical companies. You can get paid a flat rate per word or per article.

National Council Licensing Exam Prep Writing

Create practice test questions and other valuable learning materials for the nursing licensing exam that can be used by education companies like Test Prep Insight.

Nursing Tutoring

Give back by supporting student nurses on their road to success. Education companies like Kaplan and Smarthinking by Pearson hire nursing tutors.

Overall, maximizing your pay as a travel nurse can have excellent personal and professional benefits. Choose your path, weigh your options, and enjoy your assignment.

Meet Our Contributor

Alaina Ross, RN, BSN

Alaina Ross has 10 years of experience as a pre-op and PACU nurse. Ross is also an expert contributor for Test Prep Insight , a test prep company that helps nursing students prepare for exams like the TEAS and NCLEX.

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Travel Nurse Salary: How Much Do They Make?

By Aaron Moore, MSN, RN-BC, travel nurse blogger

Money can be a huge driver for many to enter the field of travel nursing. Personally, I was more driven by the adventure of seeing new places, but I’ll admit that the money ain’t bad either! 

But what can you really expect as far as a travel nurse’s salary and overall compensation?

Dispelling 4 myths about your travel nurse salary

Here are some common misconceptions and myths about the salaries of travel nurses:

“I’m gonna get rich in travel nursing.”

You can earn a lot of money, certainly! But there truly is no average travel nurse pay.  Travel nursing jobs and salaries really vary. Most of my travel assignments did pay higher than most of my staff positions, especially when you include the free housing, daily allowances and reimbursements.

Your financial gains will depend on things like:

• Location of your travel nursing jobs, since salary rates vary by region
• Your nursing specialty
• Type of assignment; for instance, rapid response/critical staffing jobs often pay more
• Your flexibility regarding available assignments
• Your personal situation, such as if you travel alone, if you maintain a tax home, etc.

“This assignment pay is low; it won’t be worth it.”

Not necessarily, my friend. Many factors go into how much a travel nursing assignment pays and whether you might deem it worthwhile. 

Some places pay a lower travel nurse salary, but also have a lower cost of living, so you’ll be able to live well during your assignment and possibly stash money away for the future. (Remember: free housing, reimbursements, etc.)

RELATED : Where Do RNs Earn Top Dollar ?

You may also gain important skills for future nursing jobs that will raise your earning potential.

There may be other reasons to take a lower travel nurse salary, too, such as for a dream location. For years I wanted to get a travel job in Hawaii, hoping for a crazy island adventure.  I even interviewed for a few positions on the islands but thought the pay was too low. Now I wish I would have gone for it!  

“This travel nursing pay is super high, it must be a horrible place to work.”

Again, this one is a myth. I’ve had several high-paying travel RN jobs and most of them were great. 

Pay is often a result of demand/need, cost of living and some of the other factors mentioned above. 

My best paying travel nurse job was in Southern California working night shift. Off shifts, holiday seasons and weekend jobs typically offer a differential in pay, so be aware of this when shopping for your next travel gig.  

“Travel nurse contracts really limit your pay.”

Travel nurse salaries are set by contract, but there are several ways to earn more than just your hourly rate. Certain travel jobs offer sign-on bonuses, completion bonuses and extra money if you work a certain shift or days (such as every holiday during your assignment). Overtime pay is also a possibility. 

How much travel nurses make is usually a combination of taxable pay and nontaxable reimbursements, as well, so be sure you understand the ins and outs.

In fact, be sure to go over all the details about pay and benefits with your recruiter before accepting any travel nursing job. There are usually specifics that need to be followed to earn bonuses and such, so I’d hate to see anyone lose out on money because you didn’t understand the fine print. 

Again, there’s a lot of variation when it comes to travel nursing salaries, and factors like location, housing and career opportunity can all trump money in my book. 

You’ll need to weigh all these factors for yourself.  

READ MORE of Aaron’s travel nursing blogs or FIND ANSWERS to travel nursing questions with TravelNursing.com.

How Does Travel Nursing Work? | Salary and FAQ

Travel nursing is a great way to advance your career and earn great pay while traveling the country. Plus, travel nursing can provide advantages to nurses who value flexibility in their careers and don’t want to be locked into one facility or specialty. Travel nursing can also help nurses who are looking for variety in the nursing profession to learn new skills and gain valuable experience.

And while providing excellent patient care is one part of the job that won’t change, there are some differences between being a travel nurse versus a staff nurse that you should be aware of before you make the switch.

Below you’ll learn the travel nurse basics as we answer 15 of the most frequently asked questions about travel nursing.

Discover available travel nursing assignments in the area of your choice!

Table of Contents

• How Does Travel Nursing Work?
• Who Can Become a Travel Nurse?
• What is The Salary Like as a Travel Nurse?
• How Long are Travel Nursing Assignments?
• Where Can Travel Nurses Go?
• Can I Take a Travel Assignment Close to My Home?
• Am I Eligible for Benefits Like Health Insurance and Vacation?
• Does the Staffing Agency Pay For My Living Expenses?
• Can I Travel With My Family and/or Pets?
• Can I Travel With Another Travel Nurse?
• Will I Get the Worst Assignments?
• If An Assignment is Cut Short Due to Low Census, Do I Get Full Pay?
• Is Travel Nursing Good for Career Advancement?
• How Long Will There Be Demand for Travel Nurses?
• How Do I Become a Travel Nurse?

1. How Does Travel Nursing Work?

Travel nurses are hired to bridge staffing shortages, which may be caused by a variety of factors:

• A lack of qualified nurses in the area
• Seasonal patient population increases
• Natural disasters or pandemics
• Staff nurses taking expected leaves of absence like maternity leave or vacations

To find skilled nurses to fill these often short-term assignments, these facilities work with recruitment agencies.

Most travel nursing assignments are around 13-14 weeks long, so as the travel nurse, you sign a contract with a travel nursing agency to work that length of time at a designated facility. While 13-14 weeks is an average length of time, there may be other assignments that are shorter or longer.

Every facility will have different policies, but most will also have clearly explained policies about what will happen if you feel unsafe, are unable to complete your assignment, or if the hospital decides to cancel your contract before the length of time is up.

Your travel nurse recruitment agency will work with you to place you at a facility and help you arrange things like housing, meals, and other practical things you might need during your stay, like internet or utilities.

You also have the option to receive retirement benefits and insurance for the duration of your assignment, although those benefits usually end when your assignment does, so some travel nurses opt to pay out-of-pocket for the benefits they need so they last between assignments.

There are travel nurse assignments available in nearly every specialty, from ICU to labor and delivery to advanced nurse practitioner positions like CRNAs and NPs. In general, the more specialty experience you have, the higher pay you may earn as a travel nurse. If you have specialty training or would like to gain it, be sure to talk to your nurse recruiter.

2. Who Can Become a Travel Nurse?

Travel nurses are Registered Nurses with typically 12-18 months of hospital-based RN experience in their field. Depending on the specialty or the specific requirements of the facility, the required work experience may be longer. Travel nursing assignments are available for multiple specialties, but some specialties like ICU and oncology are more in demand. Nurses with advanced certification, such as NPs, CNMs, and CRNAs can also take travel positions.

See other high-demand travel nurse specialties.

3. What is The Salary Like as a Travel Nurse?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a Registered Nurse in 2021 was $77,600 per year, while travel nurses can make on average approximately $131,807 per year.

However, you may want to keep in mind that the 2021 average for travel nurses may be a bit higher than you should expect to make in 2022-2023, because that rate takes into account some higher-than-normal travel nurse wages that occurred during the pandemic. While high-rate travel nursing positions are still available, they are not as high as they were reaching at the peak of the pandemic.

Total travel nurse compensation depends on multiple factors such as your specialty, the contract details, and the location of the hospital. In general, travel nurses are often paid well, because they’re filling a high demand for nurses.

In addition to your hourly rate, you’ll often be eligible for these perks:

• Medical and dental benefits
• Stipends for housing
• Travel expenses

Keep in mind, that when working as a travel nurse, you’re employed by the travel nursing agency and not the facility. It’s also important to remember that travel nurses are paid (and taxed) differently than staff nurses . Travel nurses are paid through agencies, not the hospital, you have to look at your total pay, which includes your hourly base pay + your non-taxable stipends, which is what things like housing and meals are considered.

Your hourly base pay may look lower than you expect, but when you factor the stipends in, you can get a more accurate picture of what your total pay looks like. You’ll also need to be sure you have a “tax home” to avoid paying taxes on the stipends as well.

4. How Long are Travel Nursing Assignments?

The standard travel nursing assignment lasts 13 weeks, but anything between 8 and 26 weeks is common. Hospitals will often offer to renew your contract, too, if you agree — called extension assignments.

Extension offers usually occur during the last 3 to 5 weeks of your assignment, but if you’re interested in staying on longer, you should talk to your recruiter. You don’t have to wait to be approached by the facility.

Standard travel nurse hours are five 8s, four 10s, or three 12s, though this will vary by facility. Your shift and hours should be written in your contract.

The beauty of being a travel nurse is that you can work as long or as little as you would like — you can choose to extend an assignment, take on a new one as soon as one contract ends, or take an extended break between assignments.

5. Where Can Travel Nurses Go?

Travel nursing jobs are available across the country, but available assignment locations will depend on current staffing needs. While vacation destinations like Hawaii or California might be the dream for many travel nurses starting out, they’re also high in demand and as such, may not come with as high of pay.

On the flip side, choosing less in-demand areas may garner you higher pay and help you build your resume and experience. You can also sign up to be on a list for crisis travel nursing positions so that when something pops up last minute, like a hurricane in Puerto Rico, you can take a crisis pay travel nurse position.

Ultimately, you decide where you want to go — chances are if your dream location isn’t available now, it will be in the future.

Read more: Best Cities for Travel Nurses

It’s also very important to remember that in order to legally work as a travel nurse, you’ll need an RN license for that state. Some states are part of the Compact State licensure, which means that if you have a compact state license and want to work in any of the states under that license, you’re covered. Otherwise, you’ll have to apply for each individual state you want to work in. Ask your recruiter about Compact State licenses , which allow you to work in many states with one license.

6. Can I Take a Travel Assignment Close to My Home?

A common myth is your assignment must be at least 50 miles away from your permanent residence — often called the “50-mile rule.”

The truth is, you can work a contract assignment at a hospital close to your home if you choose. In fact, some nurses even choose to quit their staff positions and take on travel nursing roles at the hospitals they work at. (Keep in mind that your hospital may frown upon that or even ban nurses from doing that, so be sure to tread carefully if that’s your plan). Additionally, if you do choose a location close to home, you can’t collect the non-taxed housing stipend, which can reduce your overall pay.

To collect the housing stipend, you must be duplicating expenses — rent or own a home in your home area AND rent a place in the area you’re working. Basically, you can’t work a contract and go home to your main residence at the end of your shift and receive a non-taxed stipend.

7. Am I Eligible for Benefits Like Health Insurance and Vacation?

Most travel agencies offer medical and dental benefits as well as other benefits like a 401K that you can collect directly through the agency— some even offer matching 401K plans!

To maintain health insurance, though, you cannot take off more than 30 days. If your plan is to take extended time off between assignments, it would be better to get your own health insurance. You can purchase your own benefits through Marketplace.gov or go through an insurance agency that offers health insurance. You can also open your retirement accounts and contribute directly to them as you please.

Also, most travel nurse companies do not offer paid time off (PTO) or short-term disability. You’ll need to get your own insurance policy if you’re concerned with the possibility of getting hurt and not being able to work.

Bottom line: In the world of travel nursing, if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. But some nurses still find that thanks to the high wages travel nursing offers, that they can actually earn more money by working fewer hours and still reap all the benefits of a staff position.

8. Does the Staffing Agency Pay For My Living Expenses?

There are two housing options available to travel nurses:

• Agency-placed housing
• Taking a housing stipend

If you choose agency-placed housing, the agency arranges your living situation, but it isn’t free. The housing fees come out of the bill rate and ultimately reduces your take-home pay. Housing is deducted from the travel nurse’s “cut” of the bill rate. Agencies will coordinate and set up housing, which is helpful if you’re new to travel nursing.

However, if you want to bring home the most money, we recommend taking the stipend and finding your own housing. In that scenario, you can still collect the housing stipend, but you have the freedom to choose your own living quarters, so if you find a place that’s lower than the stipend allows, you get to keep the difference. Many travel nurses choose to do this to keep their housing costs low and take home more pay.

When you get housing through an agency, it’s also important to know that things like a television, washer and dryer, or a vacuum are often not included, but you have the option of renting these items from the company that furnished the apartment. Let your recruiter know what you’ll need, so they can help arrange the rentals.

If you opt for the housing stipend, you’ll be responsible for finding your own housing as well as all of the living expenses.

See available housing listings by state.

9. Can I Travel With My Family and/or Pets?

Yes! You can travel on assignment with your family and/or pets — though finding housing may become a bit trickier. Most travel nurse companies provide a one-bedroom apartment (some just a studio or an extended-stay hotel), which probably isn’t doable if you’re bringing your children. To get housing with additional bedrooms and space, you may be required to pay for part of your housing (if using agency-placed housing). Or, you’ll have to find your own housing (using the housing stipend).

Let your recruiter know if you’d like to travel with your pet, so they can find pet-friendly housing. Keep in mind, that some housing has breed or weight restrictions, which can limit your options. You’ll also likely have to pay an additional security deposit.

Learn more about how to find travel nurse housing with your pets.

10. Can I Travel With Another Travel Nurse?

Yes! It’s not uncommon for RNs to select travel nursing assignments together. You can even request to work in the same hospital or city and to share an apartment or apartment complex. Traveling with another nurse gives you someone to explore with and often saves on housing costs. It’s also possible to do travel nursing as a couple — learn how one couple does it and their advice for other nurse couples .

11. Will I Get the Worst Assignments?

Some travel nurses have reported that many facilities tend to give travel nurses the “easier” patients and leave the sickest to the staff nurses, especially for acute patients. Why? It takes time for a charge nurse to get to know you and learn what you can handle.

However, this may not be the case for you, especially if you are taking on a specialty assignment, like working in a COVID or ICU unit. Additionally, in critical staffing positions, there may not be an option to delegate “easier” patients, as every patient may be critically ill.

As a travel nurse, however, you’ll usually be the first to float. If you dislike that, then you may not enjoy being a travel nurse.

Read more: Are Travel Nurses Treated Unfairly?

12. If An Assignment is Cut Short Due to Low Census, Do I Get Full Pay?

No — typically you will not be paid if your assignment is cut short due to low patient counts. However, your recruiter will attempt to find you a replacement assignment quickly. Also, the number of shifts allowed to be canceled is written in your contract. Some contracts may also have policies about what will happen if the entire assignment is canceled. As a side note, you may also want to confirm that you can get out of your housing contract should your contract be canceled.

13. Is Travel Nursing Good for Career Advancement?

Traveling as a nurse increases your skill level and makes you a more eligible candidate for future nursing jobs. Why?

• It exposes you to different regional nursing procedures and patient populations
• You may have the opportunity to work in a wider variety of specialties
• You have experience learning a new clinical environment quickly
• Some agencies may also help you get more specialty training or certifications—if you’re interested in this, be sure to talk to your recruiter about what your agency might offer for continuing education!

14. How Long Will There Be Demand for Travel Nurses?

While the pressing need for travel nurses through the pandemic may have slowed, there will always be a demand for travel nurses. Not only do nursing shortages nationwide continue to be a problem, but the rate of new nurses replacing nurses leaving and retiring from the workforce is not an adequate number. Additionally, there will always be things like natural disasters and emergencies that crop up, which will require an influx of travel nurses who can work on short notice.

Nurses comprise the largest section of the healthcare profession, and continuing shortages are still a real problem. The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects that over 1.2 million nurses are required to meet the current need and that employment opportunities for nurses are growing at a 15% rate through 2026 when compared to all other occupations (an average of 6% growth).

15. How Do I Become a Travel Nurse?

We’ve compiled a complete step-by-step guide on how to become a travel nurse . You can also fill out this short form to get connected with up to four travel nursing agencies. We work with the top staffing companies whose recruiters work hard to connect you with the best opportunities available.

Start your travel nursing adventure today!

Make all the right career moves!

Don't miss out on your adventure., learn more about travel nursing.

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• Register now and complete your profile. Be as detailed as possible.
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Ranked #1 by travel nurses across the nation.

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I'm a single mom and was able to take care of my family on my own, which is awesome. I've also gained some great experiences and wonderful friends.

Privacy Overview

Many travel nurses opt for temporary assignments because of the autonomy and opportunities − not just the big boost in pay

Travel nurses take short-term contracts that can require long commutes or temporarily living away from home. Time and again, they have to get used to new co-workers, new protocols and new workplaces.

So why would staff nurses quit their stable jobs to become travel nurses?

Well, for one, they get bigger paychecks . But U.S. nurses have other rationales besides making more money, according to a study I conducted .

To do this research, I interviewed 27 registered nurses based in different places.

Many of the people I interviewed disclosed that they left permanent positions to combat burnout. Although they welcomed the bump in pay, travel nursing also gave them the autonomy to decide when and where to work. That autonomy allowed them to pursue personal and professional interests that were meaningful to them, and it made some of the other hassles, such as long commutes, worth it.

On top of earning more money, travel nursing “gives you an opportunity to explore different areas,” said a nurse I’ll call Cynthia, because research rules require anonymity. “When you actually live there for three months, it gives you a chance to really immerse yourself in the area and really get to know not just the touristy stuff, but really hang out with the locals and really be exposed to that area.”

Other study participants said they enjoyed the novelty and educational opportunities.

“You don’t get bored or stuck in a routine,” Michelle said. “You’re always trying to learn new policies at the new hospital that you’re in, learning about the new doctors, nursing staff, new ways of doing things, where things are located. That helps keep me from feeling burned out so quickly.”

Said Patricia: “I want to see how other operating rooms across the country do things and how they do things differently. I do learn a lot of things going from place to place.”

Why it matters

A growing number of U.S. nurses were obtaining temporary assignments before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

But travel nursing became much more widespread in 2020, when hospitals were scrambling to keep their staffing levels high enough as millions of Americans were becoming infected with the coronavirus, straining capacity in many communities.

While compensation varies widely, the median pay of registered nurses in 2022 was US$81,220 , about 35% less than the $110,000 that registered nurses who traveled earned .

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel nurses could earn an even bigger premium . Many were paid twice as much as staff nurses.

Once the number of Americans with severe symptoms fell, that premium declined too . But there are still over 1.7 million travel nurses in the U.S. Hiring them is one of the main ways that hospitals cope with a long-term shortage of nurses .

But nurses with permanent jobs can get aggravated by this arrangement when they learn how much more travel nurses earn for doing the same work, as I found through another research project .

What other research is being done

Research supports a widely reported trend: More Americans have temporary jobs and freelance employment than in the past.

While travel nurses can help hospitals, nursing homes and doctors’ offices meet staffing needs, there are signs that patients don’t always fare as well with their care.

And a Canadian study found that when hospitals let staff nurses work part time and offer other alternative arrangements, their retention rates may rise .

The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

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Ivan Gan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Trusted Health Blog

Licensed Therapist & Licensed Counselor Salary Guide

In the evolving landscape of healthcare, the roles of licensed therapists and counselors have become more pivotal than ever. Both professionals play critical roles in enhancing mental health and well-being, yet they differ in approach, specialization, and scope. For a deeper dive into these careers, explore our Licensed Therapist/Counselor Career Guide . Let’s explore the rewarding career paths and financial potential of licensed therapists and counselors with our comprehensive salary guide.

What is the Difference Between a Therapist and a Counselor?

At the heart of the mental health profession lie two key figures: the licensed mental health counselors and the licensed mental health therapists. Both are dedicated to guiding individuals through personal, professional, and psychological challenges using specialized techniques. Despite their similarities, significant differences exist in their training, education, licensure, and approach to treatment.

• Licensed Counselors: Focus on short-term, goal-oriented strategies, addressing specific problems or challenges. Among them, some specialize in mental health and are recognized as licensed mental health counselors.
• Licensed Therapists: Engage in more long-term treatments, addressing broader mental health and life issues over an extended period.

Their methodologies and areas of expertise may overlap, but the foundation and focus of their training diverge significantly. Each plays a vital role in supporting mental health and improving the quality of life for their patients.

How Much Does a Licensed Therapist Make?

The salary for licensed therapists varies widely based on location, specialization, and experience. On average, a licensed mental health therapist’s salary can range from $44,967 to over $114,482 annually. This variation reflects the diverse settings and populations therapists work with.

How Much Does a Licensed Counselor Make?

Similarly, the earnings for licensed counselors fluctuate. The licensed counselor's salary often falls between $34,580 and $82,710 per year , influenced by factors such as geographic location, sector of employment, and area of expertise.

What Type of Mental Health Counselor/Therapist Makes the Most Money?

Specialization within mental health counseling or therapy can significantly affect earnings. Professionals focusing on high-demand specialties, such as addiction, family, and marriage counseling, or those with advanced certifications, tend to earn higher salaries. For example, a licensed counselor can make about $10,000 more a year working in a hospital rather than a substance abuse facility. 

What are the Top-Paying States?

Top-paying states for licensed mental health counselors.

States such as Alaska ($77,430), Utah ($70,310), and the District of Columbia ($67,750) offer the highest average yearly salaries , ranging significantly above the national average.

Salary Range Considerations:

It's important to consider the cost of living in these states, as it can impact the overall financial benefit of higher salaries. In a state like Alaska, the cost of living is considerably higher than it’s mainland counterparts. 

Top-paying States for Licensed Mental Health Therapists

Similar to counselors, therapists in Alaska ($63,900), Wyoming ($55,900), and Utah ($55,150)

enjoy higher average yearly salaries compared to their counterparts in other states.

Again, the cost of living in these top-paying states is a crucial factor to weigh against potential earnings.

Does seasonality impact pay for a Mental Health Therapist/Counselor?

Seasonality can influence demand for mental health services, thus affecting pay rates, especially for those in private practice or those working on a contractual basis. However, this impact varies widely across different regions and specialties.

What is the job outlook like for Licensed Counselors & Therapists?

The job outlook for both licensed counselors and therapists is positive, with projected growth rates higher than the average for all occupations at around 15%-18% projected growth in the next 10 years. This growth is driven by an increasing recognition of the importance of mental health services.

Travel Salary for a Licensed Counselor

Traveling licensed counselors often receive competitive salaries compared to their stationary counterparts, along with additional benefits such as housing stipends, travel reimbursement, and bonuses, making it an attractive option for many. The average salary for a licensed counselor is $63,932 annually. 

Travel Salary for a Licensed Therapist

Similarly, traveling licensed therapists can expect higher salaries and comprehensive benefits, providing a compelling alternative to traditional, stationary roles.

Find a Licensed Counselor/Therapist Job with Trusted Health

Explore new horizons in your career as a travel licensed counselor or therapist with Trusted Health. Whether you're drawn to the flexibility of travel, the diversity of clinical settings, or the unparalleled experience, Trusted Health is your partner in finding the perfect role. Discover the opportunities that await in travel positions across the country. Start your journey today by visiting Trusted Health Jobs .

Amanda is a nurse with over ten years of experience in clinical settings. She is an expert in family medicine as well as various specialties. Her holistic approach to health focuses on wellness and preventative care. She now writes content for health and wellness brands under her company name, Locksley Content.

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