February 2025 Travel RN Wage Trends by State
February 2025 Travel RN Wage Trends by State
As February 2025 closed, the U.S. healthcare system continued to adjust to life post-pandemic, with most health systems now operating under updated protocols and funding models. Since the formal conclusion of the federal Public Health Emergency last year, COVID-19 hospitalizations have remained historically low, with a 92% drop in daily reported cases compared to peak periods and fatality rates down more than 80% nationwide.
With the immediate threat from COVID fading, travel RN pay has continued to soften, marking the second consecutive month of decline in most states. Wage volatility has narrowed, with smaller month-to-month shifts and early signs of stabilization in several regions.
🟢 States With Wage Increases
Only four states posted travel RN pay increases in February 2025. Each saw modest gains between 1.2% and 1.8%, none of which fully reversed prior month dips. These increases align with short-term regional staffing needs or local winter illness spikes but do not represent national wage growth.
| State | Avg Weekly Pay (Jan 2025) | Avg Weekly Pay (Feb 2025) | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $2,846 | $2,899 | +1.8% |
| New Mexico | $2,664 | $2,702 | +1.4% |
| Oregon | $2,944 | $2,984 | +1.3% |
| Maine | $2,893 | $2,927 | +1.2% |
🔻 States With Wage Decreases
Thirty-three states experienced declines in travel RN wages this month, up from 19 in January. While most reductions were minor, 17 states reported drops of less than 2%, usually translating to $25 to $49 per week in lower compensation.
The steepest decline was in Georgia, where pay dropped 5.2%—the third consecutive month of reductions.
| State | Avg Weekly Pay (Jan 2025) | Avg Weekly Pay (Feb 2025) | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $2,212 | $2,098 | -5.2% |
| Indiana | $2,531 | $2,443 | -3.5% |
| Mississippi | $2,398 | $2,324 | -3.1% |
| Arizona | $2,689 | $2,620 | -2.6% |
| Texas | $2,445 | $2,394 | -2.1% |
⚖️ Wage Stability in Most States
In 13 states, travel nurse pay remained nearly unchanged, with shifts of less than 1% in either direction. This reflects a wider national trend toward wage leveling as contract demand stabilizes and fewer emergency-driven assignments are issued.
States with near-zero change include:
- Florida
- Colorado
- South Dakota
- New Hampshire
- Pennsylvania
🔮 What to Expect in 2025
The travel nurse job market is shifting into a post-emergency phase. Staffing agencies and hospitals are recalibrating compensation packages to reflect longer-term workforce needs rather than short-term pandemic surges. While wages remain above pre-pandemic levels in most states, further declines are likely unless labor shortages intensify.
Key drivers to watch:
- Flu and RSV peaks in Q2
- Continued ICU and OR staffing shortages
- Regional Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement shifts
In regions where retention remains a challenge—especially in rural or high-burnout markets—wage rebounds could occur later in the year.
