One of the top benefits of travel nursing is getting to travel around the country and explore new places. Whether you’re looking for travel nursing destinations with high salaries, good weather, unique cultures, or top sightseeing spots, there are all kinds of places across the U.S. that can make your next travel assignment worthwhile.
Here are the 15 best states for travel nursing based on factors like climate, pay rates, cost of living, Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) participation, and more!
With its temperate climate, southwestern scenery, and high average pay rates, Arizona is one of the best states for traveling nurses. It’s home to some of the most famous natural attractions in the U.S., and it’s a great place to escape the cold during the winter months
Although the cost of living in Arizona is slightly higher than the U.S. average, the average weekly salary for travel nurses in Arizona typically covers what’s needed for monthly living expenses. This means you can typically expect more take-home pay with a travel assignment in the Grand Canyon State.
With world-renowned hot springs, abundant natural beauty, and a thriving college sports scene, Arkansas is a great place to visit as a travel nurse. With balmy summers and mild winters, the Natural State is a top travel nursing destination any time of year.
Arkansas also boasts a significantly lower cost of living than the national average, meaning you can enjoy a higher amount of take-home pay with your travel nursing assignments. Not to mention, with a significant aging population, Arkansas has a higher demand for nurses working in specialties such as home health, wound care, cardiac care, and rehabilitation.
From the sandy shores of SoCal to the Redwood forests of NorCal, California has a lot to offer as a destination for travel nurses, including warm weather and some of the most iconic attractions in the country.
The Golden State is one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S. with a 49.9% higher cost of living than the national average, so you may not see as much take-home pay with travel nursing assignments here. However, California’s population size and subsequent number of healthcare facilities make it easier to find a wider range of travel jobs for high-demand nursing specialties, such as medical surgical (med-surg) and operating room (OR).
Home to sprawling farmland, exciting sporting events, and several beautiful state parks, Indiana is a great travel nursing location. While the Hoosier State has four distinct seasons, you’re sure to find all kinds of indoor and outdoor activities during your Indiana travel nursing assignment.
Recreation and weather aside, high affordability is another draw for people considering Indiana as a travel nursing destination. With a lower cost of living than the national average and competitive weekly salaries, travel nurses in Indiana can enjoy more take-home pay.
If you’re looking for a travel nursing destination with good take-home pay, Iowa is a top place to go. Boasting an exceptionally low cost of living, the Hawkeye State offers travel nurses higher salaries, budget-friendly housing options, and lower monthly expenses.
But affordability isn’t all this state has to offer travelers! Whether you’re looking for beautiful Midwestern landscapes, fun outdoor recreation, big city arts and culture, or the slower pace of small-town living, Iowa has it all.
With incredible views of the Appalachian Mountains on the eastern side of the state and rolling plains along the western side, Kentucky is a scenic destination for travel nurses looking for job opportunities in America’s heartland.
On top of the natural beauty, Kentucky’s cost of living is lower than the national average, while the weekly salary for travelers is slightly above average. This makes the Bluegrass State a smart place to take a travel nursing assignment for those seeking more take-home pay.
Boasting beautiful New England landscapes and lots of outdoor recreation, Maine is a fantastic travel nursing location. With four distinct seasons, you’ll find unique things to do any time of year during your travel assignment in Maine, whether it’s viewing cherry blossoms in the spring or hiking among colorful foliage in the fall.
Another reason why Maine is a great place for travel nursing is its affordability. With a cost of living slightly lower than the national average, traveling nurses can spend less on housing, utilities, and basic necessities than in other areas of New England. That means you’ll have opportunities for more take-home pay!
From the Missouri River to the Mississippi River, with the Great Plains and the Ozark Mountains in between, Missouri offers one of the most diverse landscapes in the Midwest, providing traveling nurses with all kinds of fun outdoor recreation year-round.
Additionally, the Show-Me State offers both major metros like St. Louis and Kansas City and more rural towns, meaning you can find numerous job opportunities with large hospitals systems or small community hospitals throughout the state. And with a low cost of living combined with good pay rates, it’s no wonder why Missouri is a top destination for travel nursing assignments.
Although the cost of living in New Hampshire is slightly higher than the national average, the Granite State has one of the oldest populations in the U.S., meaning there’s high demand for healthcare professionals and a wide range of career opportunities for travel nurses.
Outside of the availability of travel nursing jobs, New Hampshire is a picturesque travel destination, offering some of New England’s best scenery. Here, you can explore coastal towns, lush forests, the White Mountains, and more with year-round activities.
If you’re looking for a travel nursing destination that lets you escape the cold during the winter, New Mexico is a favorite among travelers. With beautiful desert landscapes and delicious Southwestern cuisine, there’s a lot to love about travel assignments in the Land of Enchantment.
Between its low cost of living and higher-than-average salary for travelers, New Mexico can provide travel nurses with better take-home pay than other western U.S. states. In addition, there are also multiple native reservations in New Mexico, particularly around the Albuquerque area, which present unique career opportunities for nurses looking to make a difference in tribal communities.
The Tarheel State has a lot to offer as a destination for traveling nurses: low cost of living, breathtaking landscapes, pleasant year-round weather, big city amenities, and job opportunities in both rural and urban areas with good take-home pay.
Whether your travel nursing assignment takes you to the state’s Coastal Plain region, where you’ll find sandy beaches and waterfront activities, or into the state’s Appalachian region, where you can explore some of the best outdoor recreation the eastern U.S. has to offer, there’s lots to love about travel nursing in North Carolina!
Searching for a travel nursing hidden gem? Take your travel nursing career to Oklahoma for an assignment you won’t soon forget! The Sooner State offers an exceptionally low cost of living, as well as higher pay rates, which means you’ll get to keep more of your weekly salary as a travel nurse.
Not to mention, Oklahoma is home to more than 30 native nations—including Cherokee Nation, Muscogee Nation, and Choctaw Nation—and there are many travel assignments in rural areas where travel nurses can help serve these tribal communities.
As one of the largest states in the country in both size and population, it’s no wonder that Texas has a lot to offer as a destination for traveling nurses. Not only are there a variety of travel healthcare opportunities at hospitals of all sizes, but the Lone Star State’s low living costs and no state income tax mean travel nurses can often keep more of their weekly paycheck.
In addition, Texas has diverse landscapes, fun outdoor recreation, warm weather year-round, delicious southwestern cuisine, and vibrant arts and culture. No matter where your next travel nursing assignment takes you in Texas, you’re sure to find something to love!
With the perfect “Goldilocks climate,” year-round outdoor recreation, and tons of historical sites, Virginia is a fantastic place for traveling nurses to visit. Not only can nurses find plentiful travel assignments in Old Dominion, but there are also unique activities to enjoy and sights to see on days off.
Though Virginia’s cost of living is slightly higher than the national average—particularly in areas close to Washington, D.C., such as Alexandria and Arlington—smaller cities and more rural areas of the state are less expensive and can help your weekly salary stretch farther.
If you’ve always wanted to see the Pacific Northwest, why not go to Washington for your next travel nursing assignment? The Evergreen State is one of the top destinations for traveling nurses who love the outdoors, offering moderate temperatures and lush mountain scenery.
Washington does have a cost of living 21.9% higher than the U.S. average, making it a more expensive option. However, the state doesn’t have income tax, which can help you get more take-home pay. Also, choosing travel assignments in smaller, more rural areas outside of the Seattle-Tacoma metro can help you reduce housing and living expenses.
Ready to start your next travel nursing assignment? Explore these great destinations and more by browsing our travel nursing jobs or applying now!
Climate data from U.S. Climate Data. Salary data from Indeed.
