Travel Nurses Earn More In These 6 States
A surprising benefit of travel nursing is the ability to maximize your paycheck by choosing where you want to work.
The same exact paycheck you earn in a huge, metropolitan city can feel like a lot more in a small, rural town.
In other words, the cost of living plays a big role in what your true earnings really are. We did some research to compile a list of states to consider if you’re looking to get the best bang for your buck.
Find your next travel job here!
1. California
Although it’s hardly a low cost of living state (in fact, it’s one of the most expensive), it makes up for that by offering the highest nursing salaries in the country.
San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles far surpass other median salaries for nursing, topping well above six figures; the rest of the country’s nurses earn on average about $67,490, as per the Bureau of labor Statistics. And, if you’re getting into travel nursing in order to experience beautiful and exciting areas of the country, the Golden State is hard to beat.
Take an assignment in California! Start here.
2. Texas
Although Texas doesn’t offer salaries as high as California, when adjusted for cost of living, it’s number one in the country, according to research by WalletHub.com. And like California, there is also a high demand for nurses, with nearly 200,000 of them being employed in the state.
Texas also has many up and coming small cities that are drawing lots of young professionals for both work and recreation, too. Plus, the state has one of the lowest state and local tax burdens in the nation, ranking 43rd among the 50 states in taxes paid per $1,000 of personal income, according to the Austin Chamber of Commerce.
That can help travel nurses keep even more of the taxed portion of their income in their pockets. Or, there’s plenty of live music, recreation and other fun to spend it on in Texas.
Travel jobs in the Lone Star state – start here.
3. Mississippi
Rounded out our top three is Mississippi mainly because of its ranking as the cheapest state to live in the whole nation, according to research by CNBC.
According to the Tax Foundation, which analyzes the real value of $100 in each of the states, in Mississippi, it’s worth $115.34. Compare that to a state like New York in which the purchasing power is just $86.43, and you can see why salaries stretch a lot further in the Magnolia State.
It’s also a fun place to live if you enjoy listening to the blues and want to enjoy quiet life on the riverfront.
Mississippi is hiring travel nurses immediately! Start here.
4. Nevada
Nevada earns the fourth spot on our list since it has the highest salary when adjusted to reflect the cost of living. Or put another way, Nevada nurses have the most “purchasing power,” with an average of $80,717 in earnings.
With so many fantastic cities to choose from – Las Vegas, Reno, Carson City, to name a few – taking a gamble on Nevada is a great bet.
Spend your nights off enjoying the Vegas nightlife! Start here for new travel assignments.
5. Massachusetts
Not only does Massachusetts have the fourth most nursing jobs per capita, but it also is the third highest paying state when it comes to median nursing salaries $88,650, as per BLS data.
There are also three hospitals that crack the top 20 in a list of “Most Nurse-Friendly Hospitals” in the United States: Lowell General Hospital, Winchester Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital.
It’s certainly not an inexpensive place to live, but the opportunities, high salaries, and cultural offerings earn it the fifth position on the list.
Take your skills to Beantown. New travel assignments available here.
6. Florida
When it comes to opportunity and job outlook, Florida is tops thanks to its large population of seniors.
Nurses are always in high demand in the Sunshine State, plus it’s a lovely place for travel nurses to enjoy nightlife, beach life, and other recreation. Florida is also fourth among states employing the most nurses in the nation, according to the BLS.
Take a travel assignment in Florida. Start here.
No matter where you choose to work temporarily, the great thing about travel nursing is that you have a multitude of options ahead of you if you wish to try something new.
These are just a few states to explore if earning power and job openings are at the top of your priority list, but really, the possibilities are limitless.
