Salary data for healthcare travelers

As salaries for permanent staff nurses and allied health workers have stagnated in the post-pandemic era, many workers are left feeling frustrated by pay rates that have not increased with inflation; even with the growing demand for staff healthcare workers, pay growth continues to lag. This deficit in pay, coupled with limited opportunities for pay growth, explain why so many valuable and skilled healthcare workers are leaving the industry altogether. 

However, for those who want to stay in the industry, it’s helpful to know that becoming a healthcare traveler is the best way to quickly increase your salary or total compensation. Deciding to pivot your career from staff to travel is a big change, but can pay huge dividends since salaries or total compensation for travel nurses and allied health travelers are generally higher than permanent staff salaries. In this guide, we’ve broken down the ins and outs of pay for travel nurses and travel allied health workers. You’ll learn the differences between staff and travel pay, as well as helpful data for comparing your salary with others of the same skills, certifications, and experience.

Staff vs. travel salary for healthcare workers

If you’re transitioning your career from staff to travel, it’s important to understand the differences in pay structure between the two, and how variable factors can play into travel salaries.

Travel salary data by healthcare discipline

Browse the latest salary data for every healthcare discipline on Nomad Health.

Staff vs. travel salary for healthcare workers

If you’re transitioning your career from staff to travel, it’s important to understand the differences in pay structure between the two, and how variable factors can play into travel salaries.

Travel salary breakdown

Compared to staff jobs, the salary or total compensation for travel nurses and allied health workers can be complex and depend on a number of different factors including current experience, location, and certifications. Here’s a general breakdown of the factors that can affect travel healthcare salary.

Variable pay rates

Depending on location, individual facility needs, and seasonality, hourly pay rates for travelers may be higher or lower than staff workers. For example, travel jobs in major cities with a higher cost of living may pay more than travel jobs in cities with a lower cost-of-living. During flu season, travel rates may be higher due to an increased demand for healthcare workers from the flu.

Taxes

Taxes are an important factor for consideration when it comes to salary and gross earnings. Some travelers find that a tax consultant can help streamline this process for them.

Tax-free stipends

Tax-free stipends, also known as per diems, can be a big part of your total pay as a healthcare traveler. If you qualify, these stipends can help pay for any duplicate lodging and meal expenses that come with living away from your tax home. 

Overtime pay

All travel assignments offer overtime pay. It’s important to be clear in your contract on how much you will be compensated for overtime hours, which can differ from your base rate.

Completion bonus

Depending on the facility, your travel job might come with a completion bonus. A completion bonus is a set amount of money a facility will pay you if you complete the full travel assignment. Facilities that have a hard time retaining travelers and staff nurses tend to offer completion bonuses more often.

Benefits

Travel nurses and allied health travelers who work with Nomad Health enjoy a full range of insurance benefits including health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, and a 401(k) plan made immediately available with employer matching after 1,000 hours. Nomad also partially reimburses you for certifications, licensure, and scrubs.