Critical care travel nurse salary

Critical care travel nurses provide care to patients who are recovering from serious injuries and are in critical condition. These nurses are quick thinkers and need to assess and make decisions in high-pressure situations. Critical care travel nurse jobs are exciting, rewarding, and provide an opportunity for nurses to gain new and unique experience. Nomad Health created this guide to answer the most common questions about critical care travel nursing, including information about pay, benefits, and travel stipends.

Average critical care travel nurse pay

Critical care travel nurse pay can vary depending on compensable factors such as your experience, certifications, and location where you take a travel job. The average weekly total compensation for critical care travel nurses at Nomad Health is about $2,330, including a travel stipend. Depending on your experience, critical care travel nurses at Nomad may earn a total compensation of up to $3,060 per week.*

*Based on Nomad Health compensation data for travel critical care nurses as of October 25, 2023.

Critical care travel nurse pay range

Critical care travel nurse pay ranges can change frequently depending on the facility's demand for critical care travel nurses. When a facility is short-staffed with critical care nurses, the pay range may increase for that particular specialty. Depending on the facility's needs and your experience, the total compensation for critical care travel nurses at Nomad is between $1,728 and $3,060 per week including travel stipend.*

*Based on Nomad Health compensation data for travel critical care nurses as of October 25, 2023.

Average pay rate for critical care travel nurses

The average pay rate for critical care travel nurses depends on compensable factors such as experience and facility demand for critical care travel nurses. At Nomad, the average pay rate for critical care travel nurses is approximately $62 per hour, although this number could be higher or lower for some travel nurses.*

*Based on Nomad Health compensation data for travel critical care nurses as of October 25, 2023.

What is the highest critical care travel nurse compensation?

As of October 25, 2023, the highest total compensation for critical care travel nurses at Nomad is approximately $85 per hour or $3,060 per week, including a travel stipend. Keep in mind that compensation for travel nurses fluctuates based on the needs of facilities, so the highest total compensation for critical care travel nurses may be higher or lower at times. To see the highest total compensation for critical care travel nurses today, browse our critical care travel nurse job board and sort by highest pay.

Factors that influence critical care travel nurse pay

Critical care travel nurse pay is influenced by a number of compensable factors, which include but are not limited to:

Critical care travel nurse experience

Facilities are always looking for highly skilled critical care travel nurses with experience under their belt who can hit the ground running as soon as they start. The more relevant experience you have as a critical care travel nurse, the more willing a facility may be to pay you a higher salary for your skills.

Facility demand for critical care travel nurses

When facilities experience critical care staff nurse shortages, they often rely on critical care travel nurses to fill those gaps. Depending on the severity of the shortage, critical care travel nurses may be able to earn higher pay with the facility.

Travel job location

The cost of living in each city and state can directly influence how much facilities can pay critical care nurses. For example, a critical care travel nurse on assignment in a rural area may earn less than a travel assignment in a big city where the cost of living is higher.

Education

For critical care travel nurses, achieving the highest level of education available to your specific profession may help open more doors to advanced job opportunities and higher pay.

Variable pay rates

Critical care travel nurse pay is constantly fluctuating based on factors like facility needs, and seasonality. At times, hourly pay for travelers may be higher or lower than staff workers. Knowing when critical care travel nurses are most likely to be in demand can help ensure you get the highest total compensation available.

Taxes

Taxes are an important factor for consideration when it comes to critical care travel nurse total compensation. In certain circumstances, critical care travel nurses without a registered tax home could be responsible for paying taxes on all earned income. Maintaining a permanent tax home could potentially provide tax advantages for travel stipends. We ask that you consult with your tax consultant to understand your specific tax circumstances.

Travel stipends

Travel stipends, also known as per diems, can be a big part of your total pay as a critical care travel nurse. If you qualify, these travel stipends can help pay for any duplicate lodging and meal expenses that come with living away from your tax home. Travel stipends may also be eligible for tax-preferred treatment. Please consult with your tax consultant to better understand your specific circumstances.

Overtime pay

It’s important for critical care travel nurses to be clear in their contracts about hourly rates and how much they will be compensated for overtime hours, which can differ from the base pay rate and/or applicable law.

Completion bonus

Depending on the facility, your critical care travel nurse 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 critical care travel assignment. Facilities that have a hard time retaining critical care travel nurses and staff nurses tend to offer completion bonuses more often.

Benefits

Benefits are considered an extension of critical care travel nurse total compensation. Critical care travel nurses who work with Nomad enjoy a full range of benefits including health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, and participation in Nomad’s 401(k) plan. Nomad also partially reimburses critical care travel nurses for certifications, licensure, and scrubs.