Last Updated: April 2026
Travel Nurse Salary by Specialty — 2026
Your specialty is the single biggest factor in your travel nurse pay. The difference between a med-surg assignment and a CVOR contract can be $1,000+ per week. Here's what every specialty pays in 2026.
Highest-Paying Travel Nursing Specialties (2026)
| Specialty | Weekly Pay Range | Hourly Rate Range |
|---|---|---|
| CVOR | $2,800–$3,800/wk | $62–$82/hr |
| ICU / Critical Care | $2,600–$3,500/wk | $58–$76/hr |
| Operating Room (OR) | $2,500–$3,400/wk | $56–$74/hr |
| Emergency Room (ER) | $2,400–$3,200/wk | $54–$70/hr |
| Labor & Delivery | $2,300–$3,100/wk | $52–$68/hr |
| NICU | $2,300–$3,000/wk | $52–$66/hr |
| Pediatric ICU | $2,400–$3,100/wk | $54–$68/hr |
| Cath Lab | $2,500–$3,300/wk | $56–$72/hr |
| Psych / Behavioral | $2,100–$2,800/wk | $48–$62/hr |
| Med-Surg / Telemetry | $2,000–$2,700/wk | $46–$60/hr |
Source: NurseSalaryIntel contract data, Q1 2026
ICU Travel Nurse Salary
ICU travel nurses are in consistently high demand and earn $2,600–$3,500/week. CCRN certification adds $2–$5/hour. Level I trauma centers and teaching hospitals typically pay the highest rates.
Full ICU nurse salary breakdown →OR Travel Nurse Salary
Operating room travel nurses command premium pay due to the specialized skill set. Expect $2,500–$3,400/week. CNOR certification and experience with robotic surgery can push rates higher.
ER Travel Nurse Salary
Emergency department travel nurses earn $2,400–$3,200/week. Urban Level I trauma centers pay the most, while rural ERs offer lower rates but often include housing.
Full ER nurse salary breakdown →NICU Travel Nurse Salary
NICU travel nurses earn $2,300–$3,000/week. RNC-NIC certification and Level III/IV NICU experience command the highest rates.
Full NICU nurse salary breakdown →L&D Travel Nurse Salary
Labor and delivery travel nurses earn $2,300–$3,100/week. High-volume delivery units in urban areas offer the best rates.
Full L&D nurse salary breakdown →How Specialty Certifications Affect Pay
Specialty certifications typically add $2–$5/hour to your travel nurse rate. The most impactful certifications include CCRN (critical care), CEN (emergency), CNOR (operating room), and RNC-NIC (neonatal). Some facilities require these for hire; others pay a premium for certified nurses.
📊 Data Methodology
Salary figures on this page are 2026 estimates derived from the most recent available U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, based on the May 2024 survey and published in March 2025. Estimated ranges may also incorporate publicly available 2025 job postings, hospital pay schedules, regional market conditions, and reported compensation trends.
Official 2026 OEWS wage data has not yet been released. All salary figures on this page should be treated as informational estimates rather than official government statistics or guaranteed compensation rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest-paying travel nurse specialty?
Do travel nurse specialties require extra certifications?
Can new grad nurses do travel nursing?
Does specialty choice affect contract length?
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