10 best and worst states for travel nurses

Nursing comes with a long list of challenges, whether it's the nationwide staffing shortage, high rates of burnout or mistreatment by patients — travel nurses take it a step further, stepping into temporary positions in areas especially impacted by the staffing crisis. 

But does every state equally reward travel nurses for their efforts? On average, travel nurses can make over $30,000 more than staff nurses per year in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Still, some states offer better work conditions than others.

Vivian Health, a jobs marketplace for healthcare professionals, ranked all 50 states based on where travel nurses were more likely to find job opportunities and better bang for their buck. Each state was scored out of 100 points, using metrics like average weekly salary, number of available jobs, number of hospitals per 100,000 people and cost of living estimates. 

Read more: 10 best and worst states for nurses looking to relocate

Although travel nurses accept a certain level of unpredictability in their work, it may be helpful to narrow down which states suit a travel nurse's lifestyle best, says Rachel Neill, a clinician advocate at Vivian Health and a licensed registered nurse. 

"While the nomadic lifestyle of a travel nurse can be exciting, it doesn't have to be sporadic," says Neill. "Utilizing our index, nurses should be able to pin their next work location on the map in a strategic way by considering their key lifestyle priorities and making a decision that's right for them and their families."

Notably, California came in last due to low job availability, despite having the highest salaries. South Dakota and North Dakota placed first and second respectively, ranking high across pay, cost of living and job openings. 

Here are the 10 best and worst states for travel nurses, according to Vivian Health.