What to Pay a Travel Nurse in Boston, MA (2026)
How to set your Travel Nurse pay range in Boston
Three pay positions, modeled against current Boston market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
Travel Nurse salary percentile distribution in Boston, MA
Where the Boston market actually sits for Travel Nurse base pay.
Most Boston employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($150,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $132,000 and a max of $175,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Massachusetts pay transparency compliance for Travel Nurse job postings
What you must post when hiring a Travel Nurse in Massachusetts.
| Requirement | Applies When | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Pay range in job posting | 25+ employees; role in MA | Civil fine up to $500 first violation; up to $1,000 subsequent |
| Provide pay range to applicants on request | All covered employers | Same schedule |
For a Travel Nurse role in Boston, a compliant good-faith range looks like $132,000 to $175,000. A compliant range for this role in Boston is $132,000–$175,000.
Top Travel Nurse employers in Boston — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring Travel Nurses in the Boston metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aya Healthcare | Travel agency | $145K–$180K | Per contract |
| Cross Country Healthcare | Travel agency | $142K–$178K | Per contract |
| Direct contracts (MGB, BILH) | Academic hospital direct | $158K–$198K | Hospital-direct premium |
| Medical Solutions | Travel agency | $140K–$175K | Per contract |
Travel Nurse talent supply and hiring difficulty in Boston
How hard is it to fill a Travel Nurse role in Boston.
Boston travel demand anchored by Mass General Brigham and Beth Israel Lahey. ICU, ER, and OR specialties command premiums. MA pay transparency law (2025) now affects travel contracts.
Skill premiums Travel Nurse candidates command in Boston, MA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| ICU (CCRN) | +15–22% | Very high |
| ER (CEN) | +12–20% | Very high |
| OR / L&D | +12–20% | Very high |
| Crisis surge bonus | +30–70% during | Episodic |
Travel Nurse total compensation in Boston — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for Travel Nurses in Boston. "Prevalence" reflects share of Boston disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Boston Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Taxed hourly base | $55–$75/hr | 100% |
| Housing stipend (untaxed) | $2,200–$3,400/wk | ~100% |
| Meals & incidentals | $320–$525/wk | ~100% |
| Completion bonus | $800–$3,000/13wk | ~62% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$180K–$220K (annualized) | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
Travel Nurse pay by setting in Boston — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the Travel Nurse range splits by employer type in the Boston metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICU | $168,000 | $150K–$192K | Very high |
| ER | $162,000 | $145K–$188K | Very high |
| OR | $165,000 | $148K–$190K | Very high |
| L&D | $158,000 | $142K–$182K | Very high |
| Med-surg | $138,000 | $122K–$158K | High |
Travel Nurse salary in Boston vs. other Massachusetts and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. Boston | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston–Cambridge–Nashua, MA-NH | $150,000 | — | Above national avg |
| New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $135,000 | −10.0% | Tight |
| Providence–Warwick, RI-MA | $118,000 | −21.3% | Moderate |
| Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | $128,000 | −14.7% | Tight |
| Massachusetts statewide | $140,000 | −6.7% | — |
| U.S. national | $118,000 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Travel Nurse in Boston, MA
Related Travel Nurse pay benchmarks — Massachusetts metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.