Travel Nurses in the United States: A Combination of High Demand and High Salaries
In the United States, travel nurses are becoming an increasingly popular career choice. This trend is due to several key factors:
Growing market demand:
According to estimates by Staffing Industry Analysts, the U.S. travel nurse human resources industry grew 35% in 2024, from $6.2 billion in 2023 to $8.4 billion, and is expected to expand further by 40% to $11.8 billion by the end of 2024. The number of travel nurses grew 35% in 2024 and is expected to grow another 40% in 2025.
Salary level:
Travel nurses have a considerable salary level, with hourly wages of up to $100, and additional benefits, including group health benefits, free private housing, and unlimited continuing education opportunities.
The average salary of registered nurses is close to $100,000, and the median hourly wage is $73.30.
Job satisfaction:
According to a 2023 survey of registered nurses in the United States, more than 70% of registered nurses said they were satisfied with choosing nursing as a career.
Flexibility and freedom:
Travel nurses can choose when and where they work and take time off between assignments, which provides nurses with the opportunity to explore new work locations and gain valuable experience in different healthcare settings.
Coping with nursing shortages:
Travel nurses help fill gaps in the field of nursing shortages, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the demand for staffing services has increased dramatically.
Career Development:
Travel nurses not only offer high salaries, but also benefits such as completion and referral bonuses, protection plans, travel reimbursement, tax benefit plans, etc.
Education requirements:
Travel nurses generally need to have an associate degree (ADN) or bachelor's degree (BSN) in nursing and successfully complete the NCLEX-RN to obtain a license.
In summary, travel nurses in the United States are popular for their high salaries, work flexibility, and career development opportunities. As market demand continues to grow and the shortage of nurses intensifies, travel nurses have become an attractive career choice.
