healthcare

March 2025 Travel Nursing Wage Trends by State

Goodwork author

Goodwork author

— 1 min read
March 2025 Travel Nursing Wage Trends by State

National Overview

As of early May 2025, the average weekly salary for travel nurses stood at $2,132, according to Vivian Health . This figure represents a slight decrease from earlier in the year, aligning with a broader trend of wage stabilization following the COVID-19 pandemic's peak.

Vivian Health's Q1 2025 report highlighted the following regional wage changes:

  • West: +0.70%
  • Midwest: +0.24%
  • Northeast: -0.09%
  • South: -0.88%

These figures indicate modest increases in the West and Midwest, slight decreases in the Northeast, and more pronounced declines in the South.

State-Specific Insights

Ten states experienced travel nurse pay increases of at least 1% from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025, signaling localized demand surges. Conversely, 30 states reported wage changes of less than 1%, suggesting relative stability in those markets.

Top-Paying States

As of March 2025, the highest average weekly salaries for travel nurses were observed in:

  • California: $2,552
  • Alaska: $2,502
  • Massachusetts: $2,465
  • South Dakota: $2,463
  • New Hampshire: $2,405

These states' higher wages can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and regional staffing shortages .

Specialty Pay Rates

Specialties continue to influence earning potential. For instance, Emergency Room (ER) RNs saw an average hourly wage of $60.95 in March 2025, down slightly from $63.90 in February.

Outlook

While travel nurse wages have generally stabilized, regional and specialty-specific demand continues to create opportunities for higher earnings. Healthcare facilities and staffing agencies should monitor these trends to effectively manage recruitment and budgeting strategies.

For more information on travel nursing opportunities, visit GoodWork.

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