Travel Nurses Share the Most They’ve Made in the Shortest Time and We’re in Shock

It’s no secret that travel nurses tend to make more per hour than permanent nursing staff. These temporary workers typically pick-up short-term assignments that last 13 weeks or less at facilities all over the country that need additional staff.

Recent statistics show the average annual salary for a travel nurse is $108,070 in 2022. Compare that to the average mean salary for staff nurses, which is currently around $75,330 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

We asked millions of nurses to share how much money they’ve made in the shortest amount of time on the road, and their responses show just how much travel nurses can make during times of crisis.

$56k in seven weeks.

Lauren

Not a traveler, but back in the days of crisis pay, incentive shifts were ~$70/hr. plus an extra $250 for every 4 hours of OT. So, one incentive 12-hour shift could get you almost $1,600.

Kaytlenn

$4K/week net in a skilled nursing facility (SNF).

Vee

$10k in 2 weeks for about 100 hours in total.

Chelsey

Recently made $9,000 in two weeks, not a travel nurse along with new grad pay. Got $50/hr.  bonus along with a $500 bonus if you took two extra shifts in pay period. Bonus dropped now and additional $500 no longer offered. Won’t be killing myself as much.

Jessica

$67 an hour in a SNF.

Valerie

Over $8k after taxes for 4 shifts in Florida ICU.

Annie

Worked a lot of overtime on a contract once and brought home about $68k over a 9-week contract.

Sarah

Recently made $8k in four shifts.

Stephanie

A difference. I made a difference.

Sallie

Not a traveler but one of our incentives was, time and a half, +$60/hr. +$600/day + double time for the last 4 hours if you extend to a 16-hr. shift. It wasn’t too bad, but I’m happy with my regular rate, but more money is always nice.

Julius

I was offered $185/hr. ($7,600 week) to go to NYC during early Covid peak. Life cannot be bought.

Mark

Worked 3 days- $22k.

Collete

Where? Absolutely where are you people working? Wow.

Nancy

$1,000. One 12-hr. shift at a SNF that really needed help.

K

$76 an hour.

Diana

$30k in 4 weeks.

Samantha

$1,800 one day.

Beverly

$95/hr. and worked more than 100 hrs. but NEVER AGAIN IN MY LIFE WOULD I DO THAT AGAIN. Words can’t explain how miserable I was ?.

Kristen

$1,800 for one 12-hour shift.

Courtney

$90/hr. with time and a half after 8 hours.

I also got my jaw fractured, and both of my rotator cuffs torn.

Never go for the pay.

Laurie

$780 in a 12-hour shift.

Amanda

My husband makes $93/hr. right now.

Candi

$1,000 in one overtime 12hr. shift. Not travel pay, just critical incentive pay from my hospital’s union ?.

Anah

$106/hr. 12 weeks.

Rachel

$10k in a week.

Rosha

With bonus and pay… 6 figures in 3 months.

Deborah

$125.00/hr. Good working COVID conditions. Loved that assignment.

Gypsy

$85/hr. now.

Bethany

$1000 in a day. I worked 5 days that week and brought home $5k. Travel licensed practical nurse (LPN) in long-term care (LTC).

Angelina

$110/hr.

$220 OT

$1,200 stipend.

Joel

$123/hr. currently, 13-week contract.

Lara

$108k in 14 weeks.

Christine

$125/hr., but if the feds ? are in this chat its $12.50 ?.

J

$68 an hour as a short-term temp.

Luna

$88/hr.

Jodi

$70/hr.

David

Taxable income $50/hr.

Nontaxable income $20/hr.

Respect: priceless.

Sal

Thank you to everyone who shared their rates and experiences online.