If you’re considering a career as a travel nurse, you may be wondering how much you can expect to earn. Here’s a rundown of what factors into your travel nurse salary, and how to get started in this rewarding field. Travel nursing is a great way to see the country while earning a good salary and gaining valuable experience. So if you’re flexible, adventurous, and looking for an exciting new career, read on to learn more about what travel nursing has to offer.
If you’re ready to get started traveling the country as a travel nurse, get in touch with our experts today to find nursing jobs that fit you like a glove.
Experience and Qualifications Affect Travel Nurse Salary
As a travel nurse, your salary is an important area to consider. Fortunately, the pay is very competitive! Your travel nurse salary will depend on many factors, including the experience and qualifications you have. In other words, the more experienced you are in travel nursing and the more years of experience you have under your belt, the higher your travel nurse salary may be.
Also, keep in mind that your nursing specialty will play a role in how much you make as a travel nurse. Some specialties are in higher demand and, therefore, make more. Therefore, keep this in mind as you’re looking at different opportunities to find a nursing job.
Certifications Might Boost Your Pay
Having specialized training or certification can often result in increased earnings as a travel nurse. Advanced certifications set you apart and many facilities are willing to pay more for nurses with these qualifications. The exact pay bump depends on the certification, your other qualifications, and the assignment. However, it can provide a healthy boost to an already awesome travel nurse salary. So, it may be well worth investing the time to get those extra certifications.
Cost of Living Also Affects Travel Nurse Salary
Working as a travel nurse can be an exciting way to travel and explore the country while still earning a stable wage. To make sure you are able to do this comfortably, your travel nursing agency will be factoring in the cost of living at your destination city into your travel nurse salary. This ensures that you won’t get shortchanged on salary while having to pay more due to higher prices in certain cities.
Weekly Pay Estimates Include Stipends and Per Diems
You may have noticed that we offer weekly pay estimates on our job board. It’s important to note here that these include stipend and per diem estimates as well. Because you’ll be traveling to a different area, you can get tax-free compensation for things like travel and housing expenses. They generally get paid out in your paycheck, which is why we provide this total estimate. Keep this in mind as you evaluate travel nurse salary for different assignments. Also remember that stipends and per diems are based on the cost of living in the area, so assignments in certain places will be higher because of that.
Exact Pay Depends on the Assignment
So, how much does a travel nurse make? It depends. When you become a travel nurse, one of the most unique perks that you get is the ability to travel to different places while still being able to make a living. However, it is important to recognize that your pay depends greatly on the assignment that you take. Some travel nurse salaries can be very high, particularly if you take locations with a higher cost of living and high specialization needs. On the other hand, some travel nursing jobs offer lower pay depending on the location or facility specifications. Regardless of the travel nurse salary itself, it’s important to understand that you are ultimately in control of how much money you make and where you travel!
Know the Difference Between Net Pay and Gross Pay
If you’re considering travel nursing as a career, it’s important to understand the difference between net pay and gross pay. Net pay is essentially your take home amount. It’s what you receive after all applicable taxes have been taken out. Gross pay, on the other hand, is an estimate of income that travel nurses would make before deductions. When researching travel nurse salary, be sure to note the difference between these two figures and how this can impact your earning potential for travel assignments. Also remember that often some of your pay is actually tax-free, like housing stipends and per diems.
Make Sure You Really Evaluate Pay for Each Assignment
If you’re considering a career as a travel nurse, you may be drawn by the financial benefits of working in this rewarding field. It’s true, many travel nurses make excellent money and live comfortably on their salary. Just keep your expenses in mind when choosing assignments. You probably have a set amount that you need to make to pay your bills and meet your financial goals. Making a basic budget can help so you can make the most of your paycheck. This also helps you evaluate the travel nurse salary as you look for assignments.
Make a Competitive Travel Nurse Salary with AHS NurseStat
If you’re a registered nurse looking for an amazing career opportunity, travel nursing might be the right choice for you. Travel nurses can make a great salary, but it’s important to factor in all the costs before accepting a position. Make sure you understand your weekly pay estimate and what is included in that number. Also, research the cost of living in your destination city so you can factor that into your overall budget. Once you have all the information you need, reach out to our recruiters or see our job board now to find the perfect travel nursing assignment for you!
At AHS NurseStat, we really care about you and your goals. Our team gets to know you to help you find the perfect opportunities for you. We also offer comprehensive support so you have an amazing experience and can focus on providing great patient care. Make a difference daily with our team.
