Advantis salary data
Updated today · 272 open California jobs
Travel Nurse Salary in California
Compare travel nurse California salary by specialty and market using live salary data from travel nursing jobs. Then look beyond weekly pay to cost of living, housing costs, state taxes, and estimated pay after rent to see where your salary may go further.
Median weekly · all specialties
$2,541
Pay after rent / mo
≈ $8,337/mo
$2,541/wk × 52 ÷ 12 − $2,674 2-BR rent benchmark. Before taxes. (HUD FMR FY2026.)
State income tax
up to 13.3% (graduated)
Which California specialties pay most
Specialty shapes California pay, and demand is amplified by the state's nurse-to-patient ratio laws, which require hospitals to keep more RNs on every unit. Open a specialty below for its live rate.
Median weekly by specialty
Current open California contracts
1
RN First Assistant
$3,412/wk
2
PICU
$3,352/wk
3
CVOR
$3,279/wk
4
Unit Manager
$3,043/wk
5
BMT
$3,042/wk
6
Radiology
$2,946/wk
7
Interventional Radiology
$2,866/wk
Median weekly contract value per specialty, from open Advantis California contracts.
California travel pay, top to bottom
California posts the country's highest travel rates. Below, the weekly figure breaks out by specialty and shows how far each one sits above the national midpoint.
Across all open California contracts
<$2.0k
$2.0–2.4k
$2.4–2.7k
$2.7–3.0k
$3.0–3.4k
$3.4k+
$2,541
Median weekly
$1,691–$3,683
Current range
Share of open Advantis California contracts by weekly-pay band.
How travel nurse salary in California compares
Same paycheck, very different economics. This ranks top travel markets by what a contract is worth after typical rent, alongside each state demand outlook. No-income-tax states are marked so you can weigh them separately. States with their own salary page link through.
Filter
| State | Median weekly pay | Market outlook | Compact | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California You're here | $2,541 | up to 13.3% (graduated) | ~78,000 RNs not working in nursing (57% age 65+) CA BRN · UCSF 2022 | No | |
| Rhode Island | $2,723 | up to 5.99% (graduated) | Above balance; turnover- & acuity-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Nevada | $2,460 | No | Surplus statewide; Vegas/Reno growth keeps demand high HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| Minnesota | $2,386 | up to 9.85% (graduated) | Surplus statewide; greater-MN distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| Alaska | $2,363 | No | Statewide surplus; remote/bush coverage drives travel need HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| West Virginia | $2,229 | up to ~4.58% (graduated) | Above balance; aging/rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Oregon | $2,378 | up to 9.9% (graduated) | ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; Portland-anchored HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| Montana | $2,327 | up to 5.65% (graduated) | Above balance; frontier/rural coverage drives demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| New Jersey | $2,485 | up to 10.75% (graduated) | Among 10 states with the largest projected RN shortage by 2036 NJ Collaborating Center for Nursing | Yes ✓ | |
| Nebraska | $2,243 | up to 4.55% (graduated) | Above balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Vermont | $2,335 | up to 8.75% (graduated) | Above balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Oklahoma | $2,210 | up to 4.5% (graduated) | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~13% by 2038 HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Wyoming | $2,173 | No | Largest projected surplus; frontier/rural demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Maine | $2,303 | 5.8%–9.15% (incl. 2% surtax) | ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; aging population HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Wisconsin | $2,208 | up to 7.65% (graduated) | Surplus statewide; distribution & specialty-mix demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Iowa | $2,171 | 3.8% flat | Near balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| New Mexico | $2,212 | up to 5.9% (graduated) | Slight RN shortage (~2% by 2038); below-avg density HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Louisiana | $2,172 | 3.0% flat | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~11% by 2038 (~5,680 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Idaho | $2,222 | 5.3% flat | ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; below-avg RN density HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Illinois | $2,253 | 4.95% flat | ~27% of RNs plan to retire within 5 years IL Nursing Workforce Center | No | |
| North Dakota | $2,123 | up to 2.5% (graduated) | Statewide surplus; frontier/oil-region demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Connecticut | $2,340 | up to 6.99% (graduated) | Above balance; turnover- & acuity-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Ohio | $2,137 | 2.75% flat | Surplus statewide; high-acuity & rural distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Massachusetts | $2,413 | 5.0% flat + 4% surtax (top 9.0%) | Surplus statewide; turnover/specialty-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No | |
| Kentucky | $2,087 | 3.5% flat | Near balance; metro + rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Indiana | $2,107 | 2.95% flat | ~5,000 more nurses needed by 2031 (72% of need met) Indiana Hospital Assn. · IU Bowen | Yes ✓ | |
| New Hampshire | $2,288 | No | ~7% RN shortfall by 2038; aging population HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Kansas | $2,075 | up to 5.58% (graduated) | Above balance; rural hospitals at closure risk HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Michigan | $2,115 | 4.25% flat | 22,000+ unfilled nursing roles projected by 2030 Michigan Health Council 2024 | No | |
| Arizona | $2,185 | 2.5% flat | Population & retiree growth sustain metro demand BLS Occupational Outlook | Yes ✓ | |
| New York | $2,337 | up to 10.9% (graduated) + NYC local | ~40,000 nurse shortage by 2030; 17,000+ RN openings/yr NY State DOH · DOL | No | |
| Missouri | $2,039 | up to 4.7% (graduated) | Statewide balance; KC/STL turnover + rural gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Washington | $2,239 | None on wages | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~17% by 2038 (~15,020 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Pennsylvania | $2,095 | 3.07% flat | ~8% RN shortfall by 2038 (~11,970 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Alabama | $1,970 | up to 5.0% (graduated) | Statewide surplus; demand in rural/non-metro facilities HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Colorado | $2,110 | 4.4% flat | ~15% RN shortfall by 2030 (~10,000 nurses) CO Center for Nursing · Mercer | Yes ✓ | |
| Utah | $2,033 | 4.45% flat | Above balance; fast growth keeps demand elevated HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Mississippi | $1,909 | 4.0% flat | Statewide balance; Delta/Gulf-Coast distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Maryland | $2,116 | up to 6.5% (graduated) + county | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~16% by 2038 (~10,890 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Georgia | $2,021 | 4.99% flat | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~20% by 2038 (~25,110 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| North Carolina | $1,973 | 3.99% flat | ~12,500 RN shortfall by 2033 (~11%) NC Nursecast · UNC Sheps | Yes ✓ | |
| Virginia | $2,033 | up to 5.75% (graduated) | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~8% by 2038 (~8,020 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Florida | $2,075 | No | 59,000+ nurse shortage by 2035 (vacancy 7.8%) FL Hospital Assn. | Yes ✓ | |
| Tennessee | $1,926 | No | 8,500+ RN shortfall projected by 2035 TN Hospital Assn. | Yes ✓ | |
| Arkansas | $1,854 | up to 3.7% (graduated) | Above balance; rural/critical-access gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| South Carolina | $1,903 | 1.99% / 5.21% (two brackets) | Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~12% by 2038 (~7,250 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | Yes ✓ | |
| Texas | $1,922 | No | 57,000+ RN shortfall by 2032 (~16%) TX DSHS 2024 · 739 hospitals | Yes ✓ | |
| Hawaii | $1,962 | up to 11.0% (graduated) | Surplus statewide; neighbor-island/specialty gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term | No |
California
You're here
Median weekly pay $2,541
Compact No
State tax up to 13.3% (graduated)
Outlook: ~78,000 RNs not working in nursing (57% age 65+) CA BRN · UCSF 2022
Rhode Island
Median weekly pay $2,723
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.99% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; turnover- & acuity-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,460
Compact No
State tax No
Outlook: Surplus statewide; Vegas/Reno growth keeps demand high HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,386
Compact No
State tax up to 9.85% (graduated)
Outlook: Surplus statewide; greater-MN distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Alaska
Median weekly pay $2,363
Compact No
State tax No
Outlook: Statewide surplus; remote/bush coverage drives travel need HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
West Virginia
Median weekly pay $2,229
Compact ✓
State tax up to ~4.58% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; aging/rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,378
Compact No
State tax up to 9.9% (graduated)
Outlook: ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; Portland-anchored HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Montana
Median weekly pay $2,327
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.65% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; frontier/rural coverage drives demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,485
Compact ✓
State tax up to 10.75% (graduated)
Outlook: Among 10 states with the largest projected RN shortage by 2036 NJ Collaborating Center for Nursing
Nebraska
Median weekly pay $2,243
Compact ✓
State tax up to 4.55% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Vermont
Median weekly pay $2,335
Compact ✓
State tax up to 8.75% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,210
Compact ✓
State tax up to 4.5% (graduated)
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~13% by 2038 HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Wyoming
Median weekly pay $2,173
Compact ✓
State tax No
Outlook: Largest projected surplus; frontier/rural demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Maine
Median weekly pay $2,303
Compact ✓
State tax 5.8%–9.15% (incl. 2% surtax)
Outlook: ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; aging population HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,208
Compact ✓
State tax up to 7.65% (graduated)
Outlook: Surplus statewide; distribution & specialty-mix demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Iowa
Median weekly pay $2,171
Compact ✓
State tax 3.8% flat
Outlook: Near balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
New Mexico
Median weekly pay $2,212
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.9% (graduated)
Outlook: Slight RN shortage (~2% by 2038); below-avg density HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Louisiana
Median weekly pay $2,172
Compact ✓
State tax 3.0% flat
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~11% by 2038 (~5,680 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Idaho
Median weekly pay $2,222
Compact ✓
State tax 5.3% flat
Outlook: ~6% RN shortfall by 2038; below-avg RN density HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,253
Compact No
State tax 4.95% flat
Outlook: ~27% of RNs plan to retire within 5 years IL Nursing Workforce Center
North Dakota
Median weekly pay $2,123
Compact ✓
State tax up to 2.5% (graduated)
Outlook: Statewide surplus; frontier/oil-region demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,340
Compact ✓
State tax up to 6.99% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; turnover- & acuity-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,137
Compact ✓
State tax 2.75% flat
Outlook: Surplus statewide; high-acuity & rural distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,413
Compact No
State tax 5.0% flat + 4% surtax (top 9.0%)
Outlook: Surplus statewide; turnover/specialty-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,087
Compact ✓
State tax 3.5% flat
Outlook: Near balance; metro + rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,107
Compact ✓
State tax 2.95% flat
Outlook: ~5,000 more nurses needed by 2031 (72% of need met) Indiana Hospital Assn. · IU Bowen
New Hampshire
Median weekly pay $2,288
Compact ✓
State tax No
Outlook: ~7% RN shortfall by 2038; aging population HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,075
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.58% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; rural hospitals at closure risk HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,115
Compact No
State tax 4.25% flat
Outlook: 22,000+ unfilled nursing roles projected by 2030 Michigan Health Council 2024
Median weekly pay $2,185
Compact ✓
State tax 2.5% flat
Outlook: Population & retiree growth sustain metro demand BLS Occupational Outlook
Median weekly pay $2,337
Compact No
State tax up to 10.9% (graduated) + NYC local
Outlook: ~40,000 nurse shortage by 2030; 17,000+ RN openings/yr NY State DOH · DOL
Median weekly pay $2,039
Compact ✓
State tax up to 4.7% (graduated)
Outlook: Statewide balance; KC/STL turnover + rural gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,239
Compact ✓
State tax None on wages
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~17% by 2038 (~15,020 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,095
Compact ✓
State tax 3.07% flat
Outlook: ~8% RN shortfall by 2038 (~11,970 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $1,970
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.0% (graduated)
Outlook: Statewide surplus; demand in rural/non-metro facilities HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,110
Compact ✓
State tax 4.4% flat
Outlook: ~15% RN shortfall by 2030 (~10,000 nurses) CO Center for Nursing · Mercer
Utah
Median weekly pay $2,033
Compact ✓
State tax 4.45% flat
Outlook: Above balance; fast growth keeps demand elevated HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Mississippi
Median weekly pay $1,909
Compact ✓
State tax 4.0% flat
Outlook: Statewide balance; Delta/Gulf-Coast distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,116
Compact ✓
State tax up to 6.5% (graduated) + county
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~16% by 2038 (~10,890 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,021
Compact ✓
State tax 4.99% flat
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~20% by 2038 (~25,110 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $1,973
Compact ✓
State tax 3.99% flat
Outlook: ~12,500 RN shortfall by 2033 (~11%) NC Nursecast · UNC Sheps
Median weekly pay $2,033
Compact ✓
State tax up to 5.75% (graduated)
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~8% by 2038 (~8,020 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $2,075
Compact ✓
State tax No
Outlook: 59,000+ nurse shortage by 2035 (vacancy 7.8%) FL Hospital Assn.
Median weekly pay $1,926
Compact ✓
State tax No
Outlook: 8,500+ RN shortfall projected by 2035 TN Hospital Assn.
Arkansas
Median weekly pay $1,854
Compact ✓
State tax up to 3.7% (graduated)
Outlook: Above balance; rural/critical-access gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $1,903
Compact ✓
State tax 1.99% / 5.21% (two brackets)
Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~12% by 2038 (~7,250 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
Median weekly pay $1,922
Compact ✓
State tax No
Outlook: 57,000+ RN shortfall by 2032 (~16%) TX DSHS 2024 · 739 hospitals
Hawaii
Median weekly pay $1,962
Compact No
State tax up to 11.0% (graduated)
Outlook: Surplus statewide; neighbor-island/specialty gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
No states match those filters. Try removing one.
Market-outlook figures verified May 2026. Pay figures computed September 21, 2026.
See all California travel RN jobs →
Pay after rent is median weekly pay × 52 ÷ 12 minus a 2-BR rent benchmark built from HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent areas, before taxes; it is not take-home pay, and the rent benchmark is not a prediction of what you will pay. Tax rates are 2026 figures from the Tax Foundation, not tax advice. Compact status per NCSBN.
Metro-level pay in California
California's contracts spread across Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Sacramento. The Bay Area posts the highest rates and the highest costs, so the metro you choose changes the math more than in most states.
Santa Maria
$3,449
Santa Clara
$3,446
Redwood City
$3,305
Vacaville
$3,201
Sacramento
$3,186
La Mesa
$3,155
Fresno
$3,119
Per-metro median from open Advantis California contracts.
See salary by city
Riverside
What makes up California weekly pay
In California's high-cost markets, the tax-free share of a contract carries real weight. The weekly rate is taxable base pay plus non-taxable housing and meal stipends, and that balance decides your take-home.
Hourly base, the wage portion of the rate
Housing stipend, a weekly housing allowance
Meals & incidentals, a daily meals allowance
The actual mix varies by contract, agency, and location.
A California rate, measured after costs
California's headline rates lead the country, but so do its costs: housing in the major metros is among the nation's most expensive, and the state has the highest income tax in the U.S. A high rate still nets well here, but how well depends heavily on the metro. The pay-after-rent figure at the top of this page shows the statewide math.
up to 13.3% (graduated)
State income tax
Applies to the taxable base; stipends are typically not taxed.
Single-state
Start on your license
Single-state license: apply by endorsement; processing time varies by board.
8.6 /1k
RN per 1,000 residents
Below the national 9.92, which supports steady demand.
~78,000 RNs not working in nursing (57% age 65+)
CA BRN · UCSF 2022
Sustained demand keeps contracts open.
Sources: Tax Foundation (state income tax) · NCSBN (compact status) · BLS OEWS (RN workforce)
Top-paying California contracts open today
A live view of the highest weekly rates open across California, pulled from the Advantis feed. Specialty, metro, and start timing vary from one contract to the next.
California travel nurse pay, answered
How early should I start California licensing?
Several weeks ahead at a minimum. California is not a compact state, so a multistate license doesn't cover it; you'll need a California RN license through the Board of Registered Nursing, and processing routinely takes weeks. Begin the application before you shop for contracts rather than after you accept one. Holding the license in hand also makes you more competitive for fast-start assignments.
Why does California pay travel nurses more than other states?
State law is the main driver. California mandates minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, so hospitals must keep more RNs on every unit, and that sustained structural demand pushes travel rates up, especially in high-acuity units. A high cost of living reinforces the effect. The practical upshot for travelers is that the premium is durable rather than seasonal, but it has to be weighed against the state's expenses.
Where in California does a contract net the most?
Often inland. Bay Area and coastal contracts post the highest rates, but housing there is among the nation's most expensive, and California's income tax is the country's highest, so net pay compresses. Central Valley and Sacramento assignments pair somewhat lower rates with far cheaper rent. Run each offer after local rent and taxes rather than by headline, because the ranking of offers frequently flips.
What systems and settings should I expect in California?
Large integrated and academic networks dominate. Advantis places travelers with Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, Dignity Health, Cedars-Sinai, and the UC academic medical centers, from Los Angeles and San Diego to the Bay Area and Sacramento. Integrated systems run standardized workflows while the UC hospitals lean research and high acuity, so ask your recruiter about unit type and charting before onboarding.
Does the ratio law change day-to-day work for travelers?
Yes, in a helpful way. Mandated ratios cap how many patients you can be assigned on a California unit, which most travelers experience as more predictable workloads than in states without ratio laws, and it's also why demand holds steady across seasons. Confirm the unit's typical census and float expectations during the interview, because ratio compliance shapes both of those realities.
Can California work as a first travel assignment?
Yes, if you respect the runway. The state license is the long pole, since California sits outside the compact and Board of Registered Nursing processing takes weeks, so a first-timer should file before shopping contracts. Mandated ratios then work in your favor, keeping patient loads predictable while you find your footing. Budget realistically for coastal rent, or aim inland, and the market's depth does the rest.
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