What State Pays Nurses the Most

“Where to go next?” 

As a travel nurse, you have most likely asked yourself this question at least a couple of times. You grab your phone, start browsing dream locations, and hunt for the perfect contract. But before you hit ‘Apply’ and start packing, there’s one crucial factor to think about: your paycheck. 

Let’s explore the highest-paying states right now so you can maximize your earnings, whether you’re crushing debt, building an emergency fund, or saving for your next big adventure.

Top 10 highest-paying states for registered nurses

Comparing average state salaries helps you ensure a travel nursing destination aligns with your financial goals. Based on the May 2024 salary information pulled by CareerOneStop from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Program, here are the top 10 highest-paying states for registered nurses:

• Pack your bags for the Pacific! With California and Hawaii ranking as the top two highest-paying states, clinicians are finding that heading west offers both great weather and great pay.
• The state that pays registered nurses the lowest is South Dakota, with a yearly median wage of $69,510.

The "real" winner: salary adjusted for cost of living

For travel nurses, understanding the cost of living, including housing, healthcare, taxes, food, and transportation, is essential. Because high expenses can offset a large paycheck, knowing your 'adjusted' salary reveals how far your money actually goes in a specific location.

Here are the top 10 states with the highest adjusted salary after deducting the cost of living:

1. Cost of living data was pulled from Forbes’ ‘Examining The Cost Of Living By State’ article on July 15, 2024.
2. To calculate the adjusted, we subtracted the cost of living from the median yearly salary.

• Even when adjusted for cost of living, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska remain the five highest-paying states for registered nurses.
• California still took the top spot with the highest adjusted salary of $87,159.
• While Hawaii remains the most expensive state with $55,491 in annual costs, Massachusetts isn't far behind at $53,860. The weight of these expenses ultimately pushes Massachusetts out of the 'highest-paying' category after cost-of-living deductions are applied.
• Minnesota, Arizona, and Rhode Island joined the ranks of the highest-paying states once salaries were adjusted for the cost of living.

Factors that influence your nursing paycheck

A state's average high hourly rate does not automatically mean a high take-home pay. In reality, your net income is like a puzzle made of several pieces that determine its value. Here are the most influential factors that impact your take-home pay:

1. Location - Geography plays a big role on your paycheck. While states like California or Hawaii offer high gross salaries, the cost of living in these states can eat those gains quickly. Conversely, the lower cost of living in Arizona or Minnesota allows you to keep a much larger slice of your earnings.

2. Stipends - For travel nurses, stipends for housing and M&IE (Meals and Incidental Expenses) are the "secret sauce" of a paycheck. Because these are often non-taxable, a nurse making $50/hour with a $1,500 weekly stipend often takes home significantly more than a staff nurse making $90/hour.

3. Time of year - Nursing paycheck fluctuates with the seasons. For example, during flu season, patient volumes or census increase, leading hospitals to offer higher rates or needs bonuses. Targeting winter contracts in cold-weather states can be a winning strategy to get a higher pay.

4. Facility - Not all healthcare facilities have the same budget. Magnet hospitals and large teaching facilities may offer different packages from small community clinics.

5. Specialty - Your specialty can dictate your market value. High-acuity specialties like the ICU, ER, NICU, or Labor & Delivery require advanced certifications, which also may translate to higher rates. Obtaining your nursing certifications and licences can unlock higher pay and more career opportunities.

Find high-paying jobs with Nomad

Finding high-paying assignments on Nomad is an easy process designed to put you in control of your career:

1. Go to Nomad's open jobs and filter your search down to your discipline, specialty, location, and other job preferences.
2. Apply to jobs in one click after creating your profile or for those on the go, save jobs for later and apply when you get home.