Psychiatry travel nurse salary

Psychiatry travel nurses specialize in working with patients seeking treatment for mental illnesses. They work alongside a variety of mental health professionals to create care plans and educate patients and their families about mental illnesses. Taking a psychiatry travel nurse job can be incredibly rewarding, and nurses can gain a lot of new experience. Nomad Health created this guide to answer the most common questions about psych travel nursing, including information about pay, benefits, and travel stipends.

Average psych travel nurse pay

Psych 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 psych travel nurses at Nomad Health is about $2,162, including a travel stipend. Depending on your experience, psych travel nurses at Nomad may earn a total compensation of up to $2,952 per week.*

*Based on Nomad Health compensation data for travel psychiatry nurses as of October 24, 2023.

Psych travel nurse pay range

Psych travel nurse pay ranges can change frequently depending on the facility's demand for psych nurses. When a facility is short-staffed with psych nurses, the pay range may increase for that particular specialty. Depending on the facility's needs and your experience, the total compensation for psych travel nurses at Nomad is between $1,476 and $2,952 per week including a travel stipend.*

*Based on Nomad Health compensation data for travel psychiatry nurses as of October 24, 2023.

Average pay rate for psych travel nurses

The average pay rate for psych travel nurses may depend on compensable factors such as experience and facility demand for psych travel nurses. At Nomad, the average pay rate for psych travel nurses is approximately $60 per hour, although this number could be higher or lower for some travel nurses.*

*Based on Nomad Health compensation data for travel psychiatry nurses as of October 24, 2023.

What is the highest psych travel nurse compensation?

As of October 24, 2023, the highest total compensation for psych travel nurses at Nomad is approximately $82 per hour or $2,952 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 psych travel nurses may be higher or lower at times. To see the highest total compensation for psych travel nurses today, browse our psych travel nurse job board and sort by highest pay.

Factors that influence psych travel nurse pay

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

Psych travel nurse experience

Facilities are always looking for highly skilled psych 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 psych travel nurse, the more willing a facility may be to pay you a higher salary for your skills.

Facility demand for psych travel nurses

When facilities experience psych staff nurse shortages, they often rely on psych travel nurses to fill those gaps. Depending on the severity of the shortage, psych 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 psychiatry nurses. For example, a psych 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 psych 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

Psych 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 psych 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 psych travel nurses total compensation. In certain circumstances, psych 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 psych 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 psych 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 the base pay rate and/or applicable law.

Completion bonus

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

Benefits

Benefits are considered an extension of psych travel nurse total compensation. Psychiatry 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 psych travel nurses for certifications, licensure, and scrubs.