Highest Paying States for Travel Nurses - US Map

Highest Paying States for Registered Nurses

Highest registered nurse salaries by state - find out which factors affect your pay, what you can do to earn even more, whether you're traveling on on staff.

Nursing is difficult work, and sometimes it seems like the pay doesn’t match the amount of work you put into it. Of course, everyone wants to get paid more, and that’s why it is important to look at the highest paid nursing jobs that are out there. Registered nurse salaries can vary for many reasons, and one of the most common reasons for it to vary is due to region.

A travel nurse’s salary will be greatly affected by where they are assigned. In general, travelers earn more than staff nurses, and travel pay is often relative to the average pay rates for permanent staff. Some states are known for having high RN salaries. Of course, this makes them highly competitive, too, but if you find yourself enjoying travel nurse assignment in one of these states, then you may just want to stay a while!

Nurse Salary by State

California

Yes, the best state in the union for RN compensation is California. According to the BLS as of May 2023, the annual average on-staff nurse pay in California is $137,690. Keep in mind that California has a higher-than-average cost of living, which affects the purchasing power of those earnings.

Oregon

The annual mean RN pay in Oregon state is $113,440 yearly. As is often the case, pay in and around big cities tends to be higher -- such as Portland . This is a state that is rife with natural beauty and clean, crisp air.

Washington

The annual mean RN pay in Washington state is $111,030 yearly. Washington nursing pay in big cities like Seattle and Vancouver tends to be higher. This is a state that is growing in population and features a vital healthcare community.

Alaska

Some of the highest-paid nursing jobs seem to be either in the far west -- or in the metro areas on the east coast. For instance, the next state on the list is Alaska. The staff nurse salary in Alaska is $109,210 on average. As you might imagine, demand for skilled RNs is high here, and the pay reflects that.

Also Consider:

New York

The average registered nurse pay in New York state is $106,620 yearly. As is often the case, pay in and around big cities tends to be higher -- not to mention the biggest of all: NYC . While the diversions of Manhattan are endless, the outer boroughs continue to raise their coolness factor, and the state is full of natural wonders -- from the Finger Lakes to Niagara Falls.

Minnesota

The median staff RN salary in Minnesota is about $94,830. A relatively lower cost of living here means your travel nurse compensation extends further. If you love the heartland, then a location like this one could really pay off.

New Jersey

The median staff RN salary in New Jersey is about $101,960, New Jersey is centrally located on the East Coast and is home to several major metro areas and offering a great variety of healthcare settings to travelers seeking to expand their skill set.

What else affects nursing salaries?

Besides region, what else can affect compensation rates? Of course, experience is probably the number one reason a nurse would get paid more. A new grad is unlikely to get paid as much as someone who has been on the floor for five years. Another factor is education. Most facilities are paying more for those who have a BSN as they are moving toward getting Magnet designation. As a traveler, a more advanced degree makes you a more desirable hire.

Another element to consider is specialization. An area with an aging population isn’t going to need many pediatric nurses. However, a thriving metropolis will need critical care, trauma, and surgical techs. In the states with the fewest people, medical surgical nurses may be in demand because they can do a wider range of things than a more specialized nurse can. Their value lies in their ability to use that flexibility to help as many people as possible.

If you have great experience, meet the specialty needs, and happen to go to a high-paying state, you just may get one of the highest RN salaries. While pay may sometimes be your top priority, at other times you may have family needs that make one location more attractive than another. Or perhaps the thought of working in a relaxing tropical setting is worth its weight in gold. If you choose travel nursing, any of these can be an option.

Sources:

BLS