Looking for a new travel nurse destination for the year ahead? Whether you want to explore some of America’s most exciting hotspots or max out your earnings in a higher-paying location, here’s our rundown of the 10 best spots for travel nurses in 2025.
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Top 10 Travel Nurse Destinations for 2025
There's been no shortage of work for travel nurses in recent years, and 2025 will be no exception to that rule. Today, though, demand is shifting to new places, including some of the country's most popular states like Texas, Florida, and Colorado.
If you're looking to travel in the year ahead — or for the chance to relocate to another state — here are the best spots to consider in terms of pay and number of opportunities, plus some insider info on what specialties are most in demand.
Destination #1: Kansas City, Missouri
Today, Kansas City is famous as the home of the Chiefs. But it’s always had a lot to offer visitors and residents alike, including affordable living, a buzzing nightlife, and a history that’s rich with jazz, baseball, and that famous Kansas City barbecue, to name just a few of the perks you'll find in the City of Fountains.
Hot tip for 2025: Remember to look for opportunities in suburbs like Overland Park and Independence, where we’re seeing some of the highest levels of demand — especially for nurses with cath lab, NICU, PICU, OR, and med/surg experience.
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Destination #2: Austin, Texas
There are so many reasons why folks are flocking to Austin these days. From Austin City Limits to the world-famous South by Southwest® (SXSW®) music and arts festival, it’s long been a destination for music lovers. But it also offers great food and culture, a red-hot nightlife, and plenty of outdoor activities.
Hot tip for 2025: As we finish up 2024, Austin is offering some of the highest pay for labor & delivery RNs. Other in-demand specialties include postpartum, telemetry, OR and CVOR.
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Enjoy the great outdoors without leaving the Austin city limits.
Destination #3: Asheville, North Carolina
A must-visit stop in North Carolina thanks to its famous food, music, and bustling downtown scene, the Asheville area was also hard hit by hurricanes in 2024. As a result, there are even more opportunities than usual to work travel nursing jobs in one of America's hottest spots for culture and outdoor adventure.
Hot tip for 2025: As with many other locations, we’re seeing an increase in demand — and pay — for cath lab RNs. Other high-paying specialties include ER, CVOR, oncology, and telemetry, with plenty of other opportunities, too.
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Destination #4: Nashville, Tennessee
Do you love live music and never-ending nightlife options? Want to get first-hand experience with one of America’s hottest spots for travelers, influencers, and musicians alike, complete with a housing stipend to cover the cost of your stay? Then you may want to make Nashville your next travel destination.
Hot tip for 2025: As in so many other parts of the country, cath lab nurses are cashing big paychecks in Nashville. You’ll also be in demand if you can work in case management, NICU, OR, and med/surg, among other specialties.
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Nashville is the home of country, famous for its live music and colorful downtown.
Destination #5: Denver, Colorado
Head out west for great travel opportunities in the scenic mountain splendor of Colorado. As one of the country's fastest-growing areas, plenty of assignments are on offer in Denver as well as suburbs like Aurora and exurbs like Lone Tree.
Hot tip for 2025: If you have OR experience, you can take advantage of a spike in demand for OR nurses. There’s also demand for telemetry, pediatrics, PACU, med/surg, and many others — you can see them all here.
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Destination #6: Tampa Bay, Florida
Another community hard hit by storms in 2024, the entire Tampa Bay area has ramped up travel nurse recruitment going into 2025. We’re seeing opportunities throughout the area, from Hudson in the north to Bradenton in the south, with plenty of jobs in St. Petersburg, Largo, and Brandon, too.
Hot tip for 2025: Again, cath lab nurses are earning some of the highest pay rates for travel RNs. Because there are so many jobs in this area, though, there also plenty of opportunities in progressive care, telemetry, critical care, case management, and virtually every other nurse specialty.
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You'll find the beach at Clearwater between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Destination #7: Richmond, Virginia
Close to Virginia Beach, North Carolina, and D.C. while still holding plenty of its own charm, Richmond is often called one of America's best places to travel. And its carefully preserved historic sites, locally owned shops and restaurants, famous bike trails, and reasonable cost of living are just a few of the many reasons why.
Hot tip for 2025: Pediatric and neonatal ICU can land you some of the highest-paying jobs for PICU and NICU nurses. There are also great opportunities for med/surg, L&D, and the cath lab, plus lots others. See them all here.
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Destination #8: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Escape to northern New England for small-town charm and seaside attractions. Located north of Boston and south of Portland, Portsmouth is New Hampshire’s jewel on the Atlantic, an old-school seaport packed with things to do, places to see, and close proximity to some of the country’s best seafood.
Hot tip for 2025: Portsmouth is one of the highest-paying locations for OR, CVOR, and intermediate care in the country. Telemetry and med/surg jobs also pay a premium rate compared to the national average.
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Portsmouth combines small-town charm with a bustling seaport scene.
Destination #9: Tallahassee, Florida
Given its current population boom, it should come as no surprise that the Sunshine State is home to more than one travel nursing hotspot. Demand is also big in and around Tallahassee, where you’ll find historical walks, great shopping, and plenty of sun and sea to keep you refreshed during the winter months.
Hot tip for 2025: Tallahassee-area employers have been seeking telemetry nurses in the weeks leading up to 2025. We’re also seeing opportunities for nurses with experience in the ER, cath lab, PACU, and progressive/intermediate care.
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Destination #10: Anchorage, Alaska
Wanna get away from it all? Whether you're looking to live in a more manageable city, an easy way to access the great outdoors, or just an opportunity to work in a place that’s off the beaten path, Anchorage may be the best travel nurse destination for you.
Hot tip for 2025: We’re seeing opportunities for cath lab nurses in Alaska that pay almost as twice as much as in other states, making it perhaps the best place for that specialty in the entire country as we enter 2025. There are also great opportunities in labor and delivery, OR, and progressive care.
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Experience city life in the heart of the great outdoors with a travel job in Alaska.
Find Great Jobs in America's Top Travel Nurse Destinations at the HealthTrust Jobsite
If you’re in the market for a new assignment, we’ve got opportunities in the best travel nurse destinations across the U.S.A.! Apply directly at the HealthTrust jobsite for priority placement and pay rates on great travel nursing jobs in 2025.
