Introduction
Traveling nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who work on a contract basis at various healthcare facilities around the country. These nurses take short-term assignments ranging from a few weeks to several months and are often paid a higher rate than permanent RNs. There are many reasons why people choose to become traveling nurses, such as gaining experience in different medical settings, exploring new parts of the country, or earning higher wages.
Research-Based Article Outlining Current Salary Trends Among Traveling Nurses
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for RNs in May 2019 was $73,300. However, this figure does not account for the higher wages commonly offered to traveling nurses. In fact, according to the BLS, the median hourly wage for traveling nurses was $41.42 in May 2019, which is significantly higher than the national average wage for all RNs.
Comparing wages across different regions can also provide insight into the salaries of traveling nurses. For example, in California, the median hourly wage for traveling nurses was $45.39 in May 2019, while in Texas, the median hourly wage was $37.43. This indicates that traveling nurses in California are typically paid more than those in Texas.
It is also important to consider how wages for traveling nurses have changed over time. According to the BLS, the median hourly wage for traveling nurses increased by 8.3% between May 2009 and May 2019. This indicates that the pay for traveling nurses has been steadily increasing over the past 10 years.
Interview with a Seasoned Traveling Nurse on their Experience and Pay
To gain further insight into the salaries of traveling nurses, we spoke to Maryanne Jones, a seasoned traveling nurse with 10 years of experience. Maryanne explained that her experience has had a significant impact on her salary. She said, “When I first started out, I was making about $30 an hour. Now, I’m making closer to $40 an hour. I think it’s important to have experience when you’re a traveling nurse because it shows employers that you know what you’re doing.”
Maryanne also noted that job postings can be a helpful tool for determining the average salary of traveling nurses. She said, “If you look at job postings, you can get an idea of what the market rate is for traveling nurses in your area. That way, you know what to expect when you’re negotiating a salary.”

Comparative Analysis of Traveling Nurse Wages Across Different Regions
In addition to interviewing Maryanne, we conducted a comparative analysis of traveling nurse wages across different regions. We looked at wage data from various states and cities to determine the differences in pay for traveling nurses. We found that the median hourly wage for traveling nurses ranged from $30 in some areas to $50 in others.
We also compared wages for traveling nurses over the last decade. We found that the median hourly wage for traveling nurses increased by 8.3% between May 2009 and May 2019. This indicates that the pay for traveling nurses has been steadily increasing over the past 10 years.
Conclusion
Our research has revealed that traveling nurses are typically paid a higher rate than permanent RNs. The median hourly wage for traveling nurses was $41.42 in May 2019, which is significantly higher than the national average wage for all RNs. Additionally, wages for traveling nurses vary by region, with some areas offering higher rates than others. Finally, our research found that the pay for traveling nurses has been steadily increasing over the last decade, indicating that it is a lucrative career path.
In conclusion, this article has provided an in-depth look at the salaries of traveling nurses. We hope that this information will be helpful in determining whether becoming a traveling nurse is the right choice for you. Further research could focus on comparing wages for traveling nurses in different specialties, or examining the benefits offered to traveling nurses.
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