Healthcare Salary Guides
Compensation data for every healthcare specialty — hourly rates, weekly packages, and market benchmarks by state.
Travel Nurse Pay � What to Expect
Hourly rates, housing stipends, and total package values by specialty.
How Travel Healthcare Pay Is Structured
A travel contract has two parts: a taxable hourly wage and non-taxable stipends for housing, meals, and travel. The non-taxable portion is the largest part of most packages and is not subject to federal income tax, which significantly increases take-home pay compared to a staff salary.
Total weekly package values for RNs typically range from $1,800 to $3,500+ depending on specialty, location, and facility type. High-demand ICU and OR travelers in California or New York can earn at the top of that range.
Benchmark Rates by Specialty
| Specialty | Avg Taxable Rate | Est. Weekly Package |
|---|---|---|
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $28 � $40/hr | $2,200 � $3,500 |
| Emergency Room RN | $26 � $38/hr | $2,000 � $3,200 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $28 � $42/hr | $2,200 � $3,600 |
| Med / Surg RN | $22 � $32/hr | $1,800 � $2,600 |
| LPN / LVN | $18 � $28/hr | $1,400 � $2,200 |
| Radiology Tech | $24 � $36/hr | $1,900 � $2,900 |
| Physical Therapist | $30 � $46/hr | $2,400 � $3,800 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $24 � $36/hr | $1,900 � $3,000 |
What Moves Your Pay Up
- Specialty certifications � CCRN, CEN, CNOR add $2�6/hr to most offers.
- High-cost-of-living states � California, Washington, New York, and Massachusetts routinely command the highest packages.
- ASAP starts � Facilities willing to fill urgent needs in under 2 weeks often offer a premium.
- Floating ability � Clinicians who float to adjacent units are valued at many Magnet facilities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything healthcare professionals ask us before their first assignment.
Yes, as long as you maintain a permanent tax home and are working away from it on a temporary basis. The IRS allows non-taxable per diem reimbursements for housing, meals, and incidentals when a traveler is duplicating living expenses. Your agency should provide documentation for your tax records. Consult a travel-healthcare-specialized tax professional for your specific situation.
Most travel contracts are for 36 hours per week (three 12-hour shifts). Hours above 40 are paid at 1.5x the taxable rate. Overtime does not typically increase the non-taxable stipends. Some facilities offer overtime incentives or on-call pay on top of base compensation � always ask before you accept.
A competitive package maximizes the non-taxable stipend within IRS per diem limits for the assignment city. An underpaid offer shifts compensation toward the taxable hourly rate (easier for the agency to market but worse for your take-home). Use market rate data and compare offers across at least two agencies before committing.
Our healthcare recruiters match you with the right assignment based on your specialty, preferred location, and lifestyle goals.
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