Travel Home Health Nurse Salary by State
Travel home health nurses, much like their stationary counterparts, operate in unique environments, typically visiting patients in their own homes or in residential care facilities. The home health care sector is expanding rapidly as many prefer to receive care outside traditional hospital settings. However, staffing shortages pose significant challenges, similar to other areas of healthcare. Lower wages and misconceptions about home health roles make it less attractive, especially for younger professionals. Traveling home health nurses are crucial in bridging this gap.
Although travel home health nurses and permanent home health nurses perform similar duties, travel nurses generally receive higher compensation. Presently, permanent home health positions offer about $37.24 per hour, equating to roughly $1,490 weekly. In contrast, travel home health nurses earn an average of $2,310 weekly, enjoying about $820 more per week and the freedom to work in various locations.
Additionally, travel nurses have the opportunity to explore different regions while working, though wages vary significantly by state. According to salary data, average earnings range from $2,973 in South Dakota to $1,734 in Hawaii. Statewise, Alabama offers $1,931 weekly with a maximum of $2,602, while California provides $2,408 weekly, reaching up to $3,930. Similarly, states like Alaska, Arizona, and Arkansas present varying weekly wages and maximums.
The states with the highest average travel home health nurse wages include South Dakota, Vermont, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Iowa, in contrast to the lowest paying states like Hawaii, Wyoming, Alabama, Alaska, and Oklahoma. Furthermore, enticing younger clinicians by offering competitive salaries is vital for maintaining travel home health staff.
