- Share Story
-
-
-
After several years of major ups and downs, travel nurse pay has hit a plateau. Through the first three quarters of 2025, average weekly travel RN salary has hovered right around $2,270, holding steady with only minor shifts from quarter to quarter.
While the national average barely budged, the story underneath it is more nuanced. Some states saw clear momentum, others softened, and a few swapped positions entirely. It’s the kind of subtle change that experienced travel nurses will recognize and further proof that timing and geography still matter as much as ever.
Q1 2025 Recap (Jan–Mar): A Steady Start
2025 started steady. The national average dropped just 0.11% from the previous quarter, at $2,287 per week. A few states increased: Nebraska (+2.5%), Hawaii (+1.9%), and New Hampshire (+1.8%), while Colorado (-3.7%), Kansas (-2.7%), and West Virginia (-2.4%) pulled back slightly. Regionally, the West and Midwest ticked up, the South eased down, and the Northeast stayed stagnant. We saw a calm Q1, the kind of predictability most nurses will take any day.
Q2 2025 (Apr–Jun): A Gentle Dip Before Summer
Spring brought a mild shift. The national average dipped 0.73% to $2,270 per week, driven mostly by lighter summer staffing demand and fewer premium contracts in large metro markets.
Rhode Island’s small-state surge stood out, along with solid gains in parts of the Deep South. On the flip side, several states that spiked late 2024, like Delaware and Hawaii, cooled off, settling closer to pre-holiday levels.
Q3 2025 (Jul–Sep): Flat Nationally, But Local Bright Spots
By summer, the market leveled out. The national average nudged slightly by 0.09% to $2,272 per week, essentially unchanged but a sign of stabilization. Texas led the quarter with a +4.69 % increase in average weekly pay. Smaller Midwestern states, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Kansas, also climbed as hospitals filled rural staffing gaps. A handful of coastal states saw minor pullbacks tied to the end of seasonal contracts.
2025 Travel RN Salary Quarter by Quarter:
After nine months, pay has moved less than $20 a week nationwide, a sign that the travel RN market has reached a new normal. Instead of dramatic swings, we’re seeing a more sustainable rhythm shaped by local demand, specialty mix, and shift type. For travel nurses, that’s good news: fewer surprises, more predictability, and still plenty of opportunity for those open to different regions or high-acuity roles.
Looking Ahead: Q4 2025 Shows a Modest Uptick
The final quarter of 2025 is shaping up to be the strongest of the year so far. Nationally, average weekly travel RN pay has climbed about 1% since Q3, landing around $2,296 per week. Several states are driving that. Delaware is seeing the largest increase at +6.2%, bouncing back from earlier declines. Arkansas, Hawaii, Mississippi, and South Dakota also saw meaningful gains as hospitals staff up ahead of winter. A few regions moved in the opposite direction though. Idaho (-5.2%), Kansas (-3.0%), and Rhode Island (-2.6%) eased slightly.
Overall, Q4 has reopened opportunities for travel RNs after a steady summer. As health systems plan for holidays and flu-season surges, many are offering higher rates, particularly in smaller or understaffed markets.
Find Your Next Job on Vivian
Wage trends in Q1 2025 showed a mix of modest gains, notable drops and overall stability depending on which state you looked for jobs. Whether you’re seeking higher pay, more predictable contracts or considering a new region to explore, understanding how travel nursing salaries are shifting each quarter gives you a stronger position to choose the assignments that work best for your goals.
From top-paying states to regions offering consistent rates, staying informed can help you spot new opportunities and avoid surprises. Vivian Health is your leading source of travel nurse jobs from top staffing partners for all 50 states. Register for a Vivian account and find the travel job or staff role of your dreams today.
