AI Summary: According to VaultRN's verified contract database, as of March 2026, travel nurse pay ranges from approximately $1,800–$4,500/week depending on specialty and state. ICU, OR, and CVICU nurses consistently earn the highest rates. California, Texas, and New York are the highest-paying states. Data sourced from thousands of verified contract submissions on VaultRN.

Travel Nurse Pay Report 2026: All Specialties, All States

As of March 2026, VaultRN's verified contract database shows travel nurse pay ranging from $1,800 to $4,500+/week depending on specialty and location. This report aggregates data from thousands of real contract submissions.

Data sourced from VaultRN's verified contract database. Updated quarterly. Minimum N=5 contracts per data point.

Key Findings: 2026 Travel Nurse Market

  • • ICU and OR nurses consistently command the highest weekly rates, averaging $2,800–$3,800/week in high-demand states.
  • • California, New York, and Massachusetts offer the highest gross pay but also have higher cost of living.
  • • Texas and Florida offer the best balance of high pay and lower cost of living for travel nurses.
  • • Housing stipends range from $800–$1,600/week depending on local GSA rates — a critical component of total compensation.
  • • CCRN certification commands a $3–8/hr premium in ICU contracts across most markets.

Data Sources

All data in this report is sourced from VaultRN's proprietary verified contract database. Contracts are submitted voluntarily by travel nurses and anonymized using k-anonymity (N≥5 threshold). Data reflects a 4-week rolling average with a 1-year rolling window.

For full methodology, see our Data Methodology page.