Labor and delivery (L&D) travel nurse pay

A career as a labor and delivery travel nurse is a smart choice because it's an occupation that will likely remain high in demand. Whether you’re a new L&D travel nurse or an experienced nurse looking to increase your earnings, traveling as a labor and delivery nurse may be one of the most effective ways to increase your pay and skillset. No matter what stage of your L&D travel nurse career you're in, use this guide to learn about current pay trends and benchmarks for labor and delivery travel nurses. Here, Nomad Health breaks down the ins and outs of labor and delivery travel nurse pay so you can get a baseline of pay and understand the different factors that influence L&D travel nurse compensation.

Average labor and delivery travel nurse pay

Labor and delivery 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 L&D travel nurses is about $2,419, including a travel stipend.*

*Based off Nomad Health compensation data for travel labor and delivery nurses as of September 26th, 2023.

Labor and delivery travel nurse pay range

Labor and delivery travel nurse pay ranges can change frequently depending on the facility demand for L&D nurses. When a facility is short staffed with L&D nurses, the pay range may increase for that particular specialty. Depending on the facility needs and your experience, the total compensation for labor and delivery travel nurses is between $1,836-$3,696 per week, including travel stipend.*

*This is based off Nomad Health compensation data for travel labor and delivery nurses as of September 26th, 2023.

Average pay rate for L&D travel nurses

The average pay rate for labor and delivery travel nurses depends on compensable factors such as experience and facility demand for L&D travel nurses. At Nomad, the average pay rate for labor and delivery travel nurses is approximately $63 per hour, although this number could be higher or lower for some travel nurses.*

*Based off Nomad Health compensation data for travel labor and delivery nurses as of September 26th, 2023.

What is the highest L&D travel nurse compensation?

As of September 26 2023, the highest total compensation for labor and delivery travel nurses at Nomad is $88 per hour, or $3,696 per week, including a travel stipend. Keep in mind that compensation for travel nurses fluctuates based on the needs of facilities, so the actual highest total compensation for L&D travel nurses may be higher or lower. To see the highest total compensation for labor and delivery travel nurses today, browse our L&D travel nurse job board and sort by highest pay.

Factors that influence L&D travel nurse pay

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

Labor and delivery travel nurse experience

Facilities are always looking for highly skilled labor and delivery travel nurses with experience under their belt who can start work hitting the ground running. The more relevant experience you have as an L&D travel nurse, the more willing a facility is to pay you a higher salary for your skills.

Labor and delivery travel nurse credentials

Obtaining specialized labor and delivery credentials helps demonstrate your expertise and can be a helpful tool for securing high-paying L&D travel nurse jobs. Labor and delivery travel nurses with specialized credentials may have more earning power than those without them.

Facility demand for L&D travel nurses

When facilities experience labor and delivery staff nurse shortages, they often rely on labor and delivery travel nurses to fill those gaps. Depending on the severity of the shortage, L&D 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 travel labor and delivery nurses. For example, an L&D travel nurse on assignment in a rural area mayearn less than with travel assignment in a big city where the cost of living is higher.

Education

For labor and delivery 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

Labor and delivery 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 labor and delivery 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 labor and delivery travel nurse total compensation. In certain circumstances, L&D 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 labor and delivery 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 labor and delivery travel nurses to be clear in their contract about hourly rates and how much they will be compensated for overtime hours, which can differ from base pay rate and/or applicable law.

Completion bonus

Depending on the facility, your labor and delivery 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 L&D travel assignment. Facilities that have a hard time retaining labor and delivery travel nurses and staff nurses tend to offer completion bonuses more often.

Benefits

Benefits are considered an extension of labor and delivery travel nurse total compensation. Labor and delivery 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 L&D travel nurses for certifications, licensure, and scrubs.