From bustling cities to quiet rural communities, Travel Nurses, Inc. offers contracts in almost every corner of the country. Our state guides highlight licensure details, travel guides and open opportunities so you can choose your next destination with confidence.
Click each state to learn more about each location's jobs, licensing information and destination highlights.
Every quarter, we highlight the top five states for travel nurses and allied health professionals based on pay, demand and cost of living. These destinations are perfect for your next adventure.
If you want the strongest combination of pay cost of living, Texas, Arizona, North Carolina and South Carolina are excellent options. If your focus is gross pay, California is unmatched. Each location has its own traveler benefits. No matter where you go, always check the facility and ensure you understand the specific facility benefits before accepting an assignment.
We compared the top destinations from Travel Nurses, Inc. with data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and regional healthcare facilities, which measure healthcare cost of living impact, facility demand by specialty and local economics for long-term traveler growth and healthcare worker support. This targeted highlighting ensures you pick out-of-state assignments that deliver both professional and lifestyle benefits for travelers.
• High demand across specialties (including operating room, women's health, emergency and specialized care).
• Weekly pay for RNs is currently trending at $2,400 and over.
• Affordable housing in many Texas cities compared to national averages.
• Cost of living lower than coastal states with a high variety of cultural, recreational and lifestyle options across urban and rural areas.
• Healthcare challenges: Texas continues to experience staffing shortages, particularly in rural hospitals, making traveler support even more important.
• Steady need across specialties with housing and cost advantages versus many coastal states.
• Weekly pay averaging $2,300 for RNs in Phoenix, Tucson, and surrounding regions.
• Ideal for winter travelers with warm climates, hiking, outdoor living and national parks.
• Cost of living lower than West Coast states, with housing stipends covering much of the cost.
• Healthcare challenges: Aging population and rural hospital closures drive consistent traveler demand.
• Ongoing demand across MedSurg, critical care and women's health.
• Weekly pay for RNs averaging $2,200 with housing stipends that offset much of the cost.
• Coastal regions and mountain escapes offer a balanced lifestyle.
• Noted for strong hospital systems and nationally recognized teaching hospitals.
• Healthcare challenges: Mix of large systems and rural facilities with ongoing staffing needs.
• Steady demand across specialties with traveler pay consistently above the Southeast regional average.
• Special need for operating room, telemetry and critical care nurses.
• Housing stipends keep total compensation competitive with higher-paying regions.
• Healthcare challenges: Like neighboring states, staffing shortages remain steady, especially in rural facilities.
• Traveler pay for RNs currently averaging $3,100 per week, some of the highest in the nation.
• Coastal and large California metro regions like Sacramento and the Bay Area see increased pay but also higher living costs.
• Cost of living challenges remain, but stipends help offset expenses.
• Healthcare challenges: High volume in world-class hospital systems and broad facility types across urban and rural regions.
