What to Pay a Travel Nurse in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
How to set your Travel Nurse pay range in Los Angeles
Three pay positions, modeled against current Los Angeles market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
Travel Nurse salary percentile distribution in Los Angeles, CA
Where the Los Angeles market actually sits for Travel Nurse base pay.
Most Los Angeles employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($152,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $130,000 and a max of $178,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
California pay transparency compliance for Travel Nurse job postings
What you must post when hiring a Travel Nurse in California.
| Requirement | Applies When | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Pay scale in job posting | 15+ employees, ≥1 in California | $100–$10,000 per violation |
| Good-faith range (no inflated bands) | All covered postings | $100–$10,000 per violation; escalates for repeat |
| Include bonuses and incentive pay (SB 642) | All covered postings from 2026 | Same penalty schedule |
| Provide pay scale to current employees on request | Any covered employer | $100–$10,000 per violation |
| Maintain wage history records for 3 years | All employers | Presumption against employer in disputes |
For a Travel Nurse role in Los Angeles, a compliant good-faith range looks like $130,000 to $178,000. A good-faith range for this role is $130,000–$178,000. Ranges wider than ~50% have been challenged under CA enforcement actions.
Top Travel Nurse employers in Los Angeles — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring Travel Nurses in the Los Angeles metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aya Healthcare | Travel agency | $148K–$185K | Common (per contract) |
| Cross Country Healthcare | Travel agency | $142K–$178K | Common (per contract) |
| Medical Solutions | Travel agency | $140K–$175K | Common |
| Trusted Health | Travel agency / tech-driven | $145K–$182K | Common |
| Direct contracts (Kaiser, Providence) | Health system direct | $155K–$195K | Hospital-direct premium |
Travel Nurse talent supply and hiring difficulty in Los Angeles
How hard is it to fill a Travel Nurse role in Los Angeles.
Skill premiums Travel Nurse candidates command in Los Angeles, CA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| ICU (CCRN) | +15–25% | Very high |
| ER (CEN) | +12–20% | Very high |
| OR / L&D | +12–20% | Very high |
| Crisis surge bonus | +30–80% during | Episodic, high value |
Travel Nurse total compensation in Los Angeles — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for Travel Nurses in Los Angeles. "Prevalence" reflects share of Los Angeles disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Los Angeles Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Taxed hourly base | $55–$75/hr (~$2,200–$3,000/wk) | 100% |
| Housing stipend (untaxed) | $1,800–$3,200/wk | ~100% |
| Meals & incidentals | $300–$525/wk | ~100% |
| Travel reimbursement | $500–$1,500 per contract | ~85% |
| Completion bonus | $500–$2,500 per 13-wk | ~62% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$185K–$225K (annualized, 13-week contracts) | — |
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 Los Angeles — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the Travel Nurse range splits by employer type in the Los Angeles metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICU (acute hospital) | $172,000 | $155K–$200K | Very high |
| ER (acute hospital) | $168,000 | $152K–$195K | Very high |
| OR (acute hospital) | $170,000 | $152K–$198K | Very high |
| L&D (acute hospital) | $165,000 | $148K–$192K | Very high |
| Med-surg / telemetry | $142,000 | $128K–$162K | High |
Travel Nurse salary in Los Angeles vs. other California and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. Los Angeles | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA | $152,000 | — | Very tight |
| San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward, CA | $182,000 | +19.7% | Very tight |
| San Diego–Carlsbad, CA | $142,000 | −6.6% | Tight |
| Phoenix–Mesa–Scottsdale, AZ | $118,000 | −22.4% | Tight |
| California statewide | $155,000 | +2.0% | — |
| U.S. national | $118,000 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Travel Nurse in Los Angeles, CA
Related Travel Nurse pay benchmarks — California 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.