If you’re looking to make the most of your travel healthcare career, you’ve come to the right place! Ever wonder...
06/11/2025 |
If you’re looking to make the most of your travel healthcare career, you’ve come to the right place! Ever wonder what your specialty could make on the road? Or maybe what states are paying the most so you can plan your bucket list? We cover this and more in our travel nursing and allied salary guide. Whether you’re a nurse or allied health professional, this guide breaks down the most in-demand, top-paying specialties, and tells you exactly where to go to earn more.
Top 10 Travel Nursing Specialties
1 – ICU Nurse (Intensive Care Unit)
What does an ICU Nurse do? ICU nurses care for the sickest patients – those with life-threatening conditions requiring constant monitoring. They work with ventilators, manage multiple drips and machines, and respond swiftly to emergencies. Critical thinking and calm under pressure are musts. How much does an ICU Travel Nurse make? The current average weekly pay for an ICU Travel Nurse is $2,400 - $3,100 What states are currently paying the most for ICU Travel Nurses? California New York Illinois
2 – CVOR Nurse (Cardiovascular Operating Room)
What does a CVOR Nurse do? CVOR nurses specialize in open-heart surgeries. They prepare the OR, assist surgeons, and monitor patients throughout complex procedures. Their precision and understanding of cardiac anatomy make them essential in high-stakes surgical environments. How much does a CVOR Travel Nurse make? The current average weekly pay for an CVOR Travel Nurse is $2,300 - $3,000 What states are currently paying the most for CVOR Travel Nurses? California Massachusetts Michigan
3 – ER Nurse (Emergency Room)
What does an ER Nurse do? ER nurses thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, treating everything from minor injuries to trauma. They triage patients quickly, start life-saving interventions, and provide immediate care under pressure. How much does an ER Travel Nurse make? The current average weekly pay for an ER Travel Nurse is $2,200 - $2,900 What states are currently paying the most for ER Travel Nurses? Colorado North Carolina Arizona
4 – PICU Nurse (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit)
What does a PICU Nurse do? PICU nurses care for critically ill children and infants with acute medical conditions. They provide age-appropriate care, operate complex pediatric equipment, and support families during emotionally intense times. How much does a PICU Travel Nurse make? The current average weekly pay for a PICU Travel Nurse is $2,100 - $2,800 What states are currently paying the most for PICU Travel Nurses? Washington D.C. Georgia New York
5 – L&D Nurse (Labor and Delivery)
What does an L&D Nurse do? L&D nurses are the lifeline during childbirth. They monitor contractions and fetal heart rates, assist during delivery, coach mothers, and manage emergencies such as C-sections or fetal distress. How much does an L&D Travel Nurse make? The current average weekly pay for a L&D Travel Nurse is $2,100 - $2,700 What states are currently paying the most for L&D Travel Nurses? California Oregon Michigan
6 – NICU Nurse (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
What does a NICU Nurse do? NICU nurses acre for premature and critically ill newborns. They manage incubators, breathing tubes, feeding plans, and family education – all with precision and compassion. How much does a NICU Travel Nurse make? The current average weekly pay for a NICU Travel Nurse is $2,000 - $2,700 What states are currently paying the most for NICU Travel Nurses? Nebraska Connecticut Georgia
7 – OR Nurse (Operating Room)
What does an OR Nurse do? Also known as scrub or perioperative nurses, OR nurses prepare patients and instruments for surgery. They assist the surgical team and maintain strict sterility and safety throughout the procedure. How much does an OR Travel Nurse make? The current average weekly pay for a OR Travel Nurse is $2,100 - $2,800 What states are currently paying the most for OR Travel Nurses? Alaska Indiana Wisconsin
8 – Telemetry Nurse
What does a Telemetry Nurse do? Telemetry nurses care for patients with cardiac conditions by monitoring heart rhythms, interpreting EKGs, and responding to arrhythmias or changes in patient condition. How much does Telemetry Travel Nurse make? The current average weekly pay for a Telemetry Nurse is $2,000 - $2,600 What states are currently paying the most for Telemetry Travel Nurses? Connecticut Vermont Colorado
9 – Med/Surg Nurse (Medical-Surgical)
What does a Med/Surg Nurse do? Med/Surg nurses are the backbone of hospital units. They care for patients recovering from surgery or with multiple conditions – handling wound care, pain management, IVs, and education. How much does a Med/Surg Travel Nurse make? The current average weekly pay for a Med/Surg Nurse is $1,900 - $2,400 What states are currently paying the most for Med/Surg Travel Nurses? New Hampshire Indiana Wisconsin
10 – Behavioral Health Nurse
What does a Behavioral Health Nurse do? Behavioral Health nurses support patients with mental health challenges. They administer medications, de-escalate crises, and collaborate with therapists and psychiatrists on holistic treatment plans. How much does a Behavioral Health Travel Nurse make? The current average weekly pay for a Behavioral Health Nurse is $2,000 - $2,500 What states are currently paying the most for Behavioral Health Travel Nurses? Washington D.C. Alaska New Jersey
Top 10 Allied Health Specialties
1 – Cath Lab Technician
What does a Cath Lab Tech do? Cath Lab Techs assist with cardiac catheterizations and angioplasty procedures. They prep patients, operate fluoroscopy and imaging tools, and monitor vital signs during heart-related procedures. How much does a Travel Cath Lab Tech make? The current average weekly pay for a Cath Lab Tech is $2,500 - $3,300 What states are currently paying the most for Travel Cath Lab Techs? Washington California Alaska
2 – MRI Technician
What does an MRI Tech do? MRI Techs capture detailed internal images using magnetic fields. They ensure patient safety, explain procedures, and work closely with radiologists to assist with accurate diagnosis. How much does a Travel MRI Tech make? The current average weekly pay for an MRI Tech is $2,300 - $3,000 What states are currently paying the most for Travel MRI Techs? North Dakota Pennsylvania New York
3 – CT Technician
What does a CT Tech do? CT Techs perform computed tomography scans to assist in diagnosing injuries, cancer, or internal conditions. They manager contrast materials, patient positioning, and post-processing of images. How much does a Travel CT Tech make? The current average weekly pay for a CT Tech is $2,200 - $2,900 What states are currently paying the most for Travel CT Techs? California Massachusetts Vermont
4 – Respiratory Therapist (RT)
What does a RT do? RTs treat patients with chronic or acute breathing disorders. They manage ventilators, administer breathing treatments, and respond to code blues. How much does a Travel RT make? The current average weekly pay for RTs is $2,000 - $2,800 What states are currently paying the most for Travel RTs? Alaska Wisconsin Louisiana
5 – Surgical Technologist
What does a Surg Techs do? Surg Techs support surgeons during operations. They handle instruments, ensure sterile fields, and anticipate the needs of the surgical team. How much does a Travel Surg Techs make? The current average weekly pay for Surg Techs is $1,800 - $2,500 What states are currently paying the most for Travel Surg Techs? Wisconsin California Washington
6 – Ultrasound Technician
What does an Ultrasound Technician do? Ultrasound Technician perform non-invasive imaging using sound waves to examine internal organs, monitor pregnancies, and support diagnoses in cardiology, abdominal, and OB/GYN settings. How much does a Travel Ultrasound Technician make? The current average weekly pay for Ultrasound Technicians is $2,100 - $2,800 What states are currently paying the most for Travel Ultrasound Technician? Wisconsin South Dakota Massachusetts
7 – Radiology Technologist (Rad Tech)
What does a Rad Tech do? Rad Techs take diagnostic images to help identify fractures, lung conditions, or internal injuries. They position patients, operate X-ray machines, and minimize radiation exposure. How much does a Travel Rad Tech make? The current average weekly pay for Rad Techs is $1,900 - $2,600 What states are currently paying the most for Travel Rad Techs? Wisconsin New York North Dakota
8 – Physical Therapist (PT)
What does a PT do? PTs help patients recover mobility after injury, surgery, or illness. They develop rehab plans, guide therapeutic exercises, and support return-to-function goals. How much does a Travel PT make? The current average weekly pay for PTs is $1,900 - $2,600 What states are currently paying the most for PTs? California Wisconsin Minnesota
9 – Occupational Therapist (OT)
What does an OT do? OTs empower patients to regain independence in daily living through customized interventions, home modifications, and adaptive equipment. How much does a Travel OT make? The current average weekly pay for OTs is $1,900 - $2,500 What states are currently paying the most for OTs? California Alaska Washington
10 – Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
What does a SLP do? SLPs assess and treat communication, language, and swallowing disorders – working in schools, hospitals, and rehab centers to restore function and confidence. How much does a Travel SLP make? The current average weekly pay for SLPs is $1,1900 - $2,400 What states are currently paying the most for SLPs? Illinois California Arizona
Make Your Move
Want to turn your skills into a travel adventure? At TotalMed, we connect travel professionals with high-paying assignments across the country – backed by recruiter support, top benefits, and a journey of a lifetime.
Apply today via our website or download the TotalMed+ app to browse jobs, apply on the go, and get matched fast.
*Updated: June 11, 2025
7 minutes to read