Thinking about your next travel assignment? It’s all about balancing where you want to go with where the jobs and best pay are. We’ve dug into the latest Nomad Health job data to find you the perfect match!
2025 Travel Nurse Hotspots: Where the Jobs (and Money!) Are
Top States for Job Openings
If you’re looking for the sheer volume of travel opportunities, these states are calling:
- Texas (TX): Takes the top spot nationwide for the highest number of overall RN job openings. A fantastic choice for plenty of opportunities in the Southwest.
- The Northeast: Massachusetts and Pennsylvania show strong demand, making this region a travel hotspot.
- California (CA): While interest is high and competition is fierce, the Golden State consistently offers roles for those willing to navigate the market.
November Travel jobs in demand:
Image source: Nomad Health *pulled from week of 11/17/25
Trending Specialties: High Interest vs. High Demand
Image source: Nomad Health
Image source: Nomad Health
Where are most clinicians applying, and where is the greatest need?
- High Application Volume:
- Telemetry is the hottest specialty, with the biggest interest coming from the Midwest and Southeast.
- Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg) remains a consistently popular choice.
- Highest Overall Demand:
- General Specialty Roles dominate nationwide demand, offering the broadest and most consistent opportunities.
- Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist is the next most sought-after specialty, led by a strong interest in Florida.
The Highest-Earning Travel Roles
Want top dollar? Look beyond the high-volume jobs to specialized roles in key regions.
- Labor & Delivery (L&D) is the undisputed champion for the highest RN weekly gross compensation.
- The West Coast pays the most for L&D roles, with California leading the way, closely followed by Arizona (AZ) and Washington (WA).
This shows a crucial market gap: many nurses flock to common roles like Telemetry and Med-Surg, but hospitals offer premium rates for specialized, high-demand positions like L&D and the Emergency Room.
Image source: Nomad Health
Your Sweet Spot: Go Where Your Skills Pay Off
Work smarter by matching your specialty to the regions where you’ll maximize your opportunities and earnings:
| Your Specialty | Target Region/Goal | Why This Spot? |
| Labor & Delivery (L&D) | West Coast (CA, AZ, WA) | Highest weekly gross compensation. |
| General Experience/High Volume | Texas (TX) | Highest volume of overall openings. |
| Telemetry | Illinois & North Carolina | Most active job posting markets (be prepared for high competition). |
By following the data, you can skip the guesswork and strategically land assignments that offer higher pay, skill growth, and a better fit for your travel goals!
Data Source: Based on Nomad Health’s internal job reporting systems for November 2025. See the full article here.
Plan your 2026 travel nurse assignments and land the best-paying roles in top hotspots! Check out our job board to find your next assignment!
