April 2025 Travel Nursing Salary Trends By State
April 2025 Travel RN Wage Trends: Minor Fluctuations, Big Implications
Travel nurse wages in April 2025 remained relatively stable, continuing the gradual downward trend seen since mid-2024. This month’s average weekly salary dipped just 0.3%, falling from $2,398 to $2,391. Over the past year, wages have declined 7.7%, down from a high of $2,589 per week in April 2024.
The cooling market reflects a broader post-pandemic shift. Many healthcare systems are emphasizing full-time hiring to stabilize costs, contributing to reduced demand for travel clinicians in some regions. Still, pay for travelers remains well above pre-2020 levels, and in-demand specialties like ICU, OR, and ER continue to command premium rates.
🗺️ 50-State Overview: Where Pay Is Moving
While the national average has settled, some states saw more meaningful changes:
- 10 states posted wage increases of 1% or more, indicating localized spikes in demand.
- 16 states recorded decreases greater than 1%, often tied to the tapering off of winter contracts.
- The remaining 24 states experienced only minor shifts (between -1% and +1%), reflecting a steady trend of limited month-over-month volatility.
🔺 Top Gainers
- Idaho led the month with a 5% increase, climbing from $2,269 to $2,382/week, nearly matching the national average. The state's continued population growth and rural hospital expansion are fueling demand.
- Tennessee followed with a 3.6% bump, jumping from $2,086 to $2,162/week, though it still lags behind the national average.
🔻 Notable Decliners
- Nevada, which saw higher-than-average rates earlier in the year, posted the largest drop. Pay fell 4.0%, from $2,426 to $2,329/week, bringing it below the national benchmark. The decline represents a market correction rather than a sign of systemic weakness.
📊 Consistency Across the Map
Nearly half the country — 24 states — reported month-to-month changes under 1%, a pattern that’s held steady for much of 2025. Most wage shifts fall within a predictable range, suggesting that the travel RN market may have entered a period of stabilization.
Still, the market remains sensitive to macroeconomic forces. Future interest rate cuts, inflation swings, or spikes in patient census could quickly disrupt current patterns.
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