Travel Nurse Salary
If you are considering travel nurse jobs as an option for your career path, there may be a lot of factors involved in your decision. One of the top factors is salary and pay. While all of the other factors are important, salary may be the most important one for you. There are many things that can impact the salary you receive from travel nurse jobs. There are also other items to consider that impact your salary.
Salary
It is essential to keep in mind that there are many factors that determine the salary of those in travel nurse jobs. However, it is best to start with some numbers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average salary of a registered nurse is $71,730. However, travel nurse jobs typically pay a higher salary. Some studies show that the average salary of a travel nurse is $88,400. This figure is determined by a few conditions, including overtime, schedule flexibility, location, and how often the nurse works. In addition, if you have a specialty, you are likely to get a higher rate of pay than someone without one.
Additional Compensation
There are additional ways travel nurse jobs may provide compensation that is not part of the salary. These include sign-on bonuses, compensation for referrals, and meal and housing stipends. When you sign on with a travel nurse agency, you receive a package that contains all of your compensation. This includes salary, bonuses, overtime, stipends, and any additional payments. There may be bonuses for staying in specific jobs. You could receive bonuses for staying with a specific agency for a set period of time.
Some agencies over reimbursement for supplies, scrubs, and books. In addition to monetary benefits, you may receive 401(k), retirement options, life insurance, and health benefits. If you receive a stipend, it is a set amount. You receive it regardless of how much of it you use. If you do not use it all, you can pocket the money. You do not have to report stipends as taxable income.
How To Make More Money with Travel Nurse Jobs
There are some things you can do to ensure you receive more money as a travel nurse. First, you can receive training in specialties that they are in high demand. While you will have to pay for the classes, exams, and licensing associated with the training, it will pay off in the end if you have more job options at a higher rate of pay. You can put yourself in an on-call status where the agency calls you in need of a quick turnaround. You may need to be on-site the next day. Third, you can select assignments that are in areas that are not that popular. It isn’t a surprise that beach locations are popular in the summer, but there are plenty of other places that require nursing care. Fourth, you could consider working in an area where staff is on strike. If a hospital is in the middle of a strike, they often fill in with temporary nurses. You can usually get a much higher rate of pay.
