Find High-Paying Travel RN Jobs in California

What license do I need to work as a travel nurse in California? California requires travel nurses to hold an active RN license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). California is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so out-of-state RNs must apply for a California-specific license. Processing times can be lengthy—start early and consider a temporary license if eligible.

Travel nurse pay in California is among the highest in the country. Weekly rates currently range from $1,500 to $3,496 depending on specialty, shift, and location. Travel nursing assignments in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego tend to offer higher pay due to high demand and cost of living.

Yes! Advantis provides travel RNs with an untaxed stipend for housing. We also have a dedicated housing team to help you find the perfect spot to stay during your assignment.

In addition to day-one benefits, 401(k), and high weekly pay, travel RNs in California with Advantis enjoy priority access to exclusive contracts, $500 referral bonuses, and a dedicated recruiter focused on their specialty and region.

California is the only state with legally mandated nurse-to-patient ratios. These laws create a safer working environment, making California a popular destination for travel nurses.

For example, RNs in med surg units cannot be assigned more than 5 patients.

High-demand specialties for travel nursing in California include:

If you're exploring travel nurse jobs California, certain specialties stand out due to high demand across California’s top healthcare facilities. Based on our current openings, here are the specialties with the most active travel nursing jobs in California.

For Travel RN Jobs, these specialties have the most openings:

• ICU with 63 open jobs
• Med Surg with 35 open jobs
• ER with 34 open jobs
• Labor and Delivery with 34 open jobs
• Case Manager with 22 open jobs

For LPN Travel Jobs, these specialties are in highest demand:

• LPN with 1 open job

For Travel Allied Health Jobs, top openings include:

• Physical Therapy with 67 open jobs
• X-Ray Tech with 7 open jobs
• MRI Tech with 1 open job
• CT Tech with 18 open jobs
• Respiratory Therapist with 10 open jobs

Looking for something specific? Click any of the specialties above to explore travel nurse jobs California by specialty and start your next adventure.

While housing and daily expenses can be more expensive—especially in the Bay Area and Southern California—higher pay packages and generous stipends typically offset the cost. Many travel nurses find shared housing or explore affordable inland cities like Fresno or Bakersfield.

California is a paradise for adventure and relaxation. Nurses often spend time surfing the coast, hiking national parks, wine tasting in Napa, or exploring world-class cities. With so much to do, it's a top state for work-life balance.