Highest Paying States for Travel Nurses in 2026

Part of the Travel Nursing Hub — browse every related guide in one place.

Updated 2026  |  More nurse finance guides →

Travel nurse pay has stabilized since the pandemic peak, but significant state-to-state variation remains. The right assignment in the right state can still pay $3,000–5,000/week all-in. Here's where the money is in 2026.

How to Compare State Pay Packages

Total travel nurse compensation = taxable hourly wage + non-taxable stipends (housing, meals, incidentals). You can't compare packages across agencies without knowing both components, and you can't compare across states without knowing the stipend rates for each location.

For an apples-to-apples comparison: calculate your total weekly take-home after federal taxes on the taxable portion, then add stipends. This is your actual take-home.

Top 10 Highest-Paying States (Total Package)

#1 — California

California remains the highest-paying state for travel nurses. State law mandates nurse-patient ratios (5:1 in med-surg, 2:1 in ICU), creating structural nursing shortages that drive travel demand and rates.

Typical all-in package (ICU): $3,500–4,500/week. California also has strong overtime laws (overtime after 8 hours/day, double-time after 12), which compounds weekly earnings significantly.

Tax note: California has a high state income tax (up to 13.3%). Factor this into your net calculation.

#2 — Washington

Seattle and surrounding metro areas drive high rates. Strong union presence. Typical ICU package: $3,200–4,000/week. No state income tax.

#3 — Oregon

High urban demand (Portland), rural shortage in southern and eastern Oregon. Typical ICU package: $2,800–3,600/week. State income tax applies.

#4 — Massachusetts

Boston academic medical centers drive strong rates. Rural MA and Cape Cod have episodic but high-paying needs. Typical ICU package: $2,800–3,500/week.

#5 — Hawaii

High rates, but cost of living is extremely high. Package gross can be $3,000–4,000/week, but housing stipend often doesn't fully cover island housing costs. Best for nurses who want the experience and can manage costs carefully.

#6 — New York

NYC pays significantly more than upstate. ICU in NYC: $3,000–4,000/week. Upstate NY: $2,400–3,000/week. No city income tax savings on travel assignments (NYC income tax still applies to NYC earners).

#7 — Nevada

Las Vegas metro has strong travel demand. No state income tax. Typical ICU: $2,600–3,200/week.

#8 — Texas

No state income tax. Major medical centers in Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin. High volume of travel assignments. Rates slightly below California and WA but tax savings narrow the gap. Typical ICU: $2,400–3,200/week.

#9 — Florida

No state income tax. High-demand tourist and retirement population. Miami, Tampa, Orlando all drive consistent demand. Typical ICU: $2,200–3,000/week.

#10 — Alaska

Alaska travel nursing is a niche market — remote, rural, and episodic. Packages are extremely high when available ($4,000–6,000/week), but assignments are limited and conditions are demanding. For the right nurse, Alaska is the highest-dollar-per-shift market in the country.

Hidden High-Pay Markets: Rural Critical Access Hospitals

Critical access hospitals (CAHs) in rural areas — particularly in the Midwest, Mountain West, and Southeast — often pay rates competitive with urban California when they have shortages. A 13-week ICU assignment at a rural CAH in Wyoming or Montana can run $3,500–5,000/week because they have no alternative.

Rural assignments have trade-offs: limited amenities, more isolation, sometimes challenging unit dynamics. But nurses willing to do 1-2 rural assignments per year can significantly accelerate income goals.

The Tax Home Calculation Changes Everything

Where you live permanently vs. where you work determines your stipend tax status. A nurse with a tax home in Tennessee (no state income tax) taking assignments in California earns California rates but pays only federal income tax on taxable wages. This is one of the highest-dollar scenarios in travel nursing.

Consult a travel nurse tax specialist before structuring your tax home strategy. The IRS rules are specific and the consequences of getting them wrong (back taxes + penalties) are significant.