What to Pay a Travel Nurse in Raleigh, NC (2026)
How to set your Travel Nurse pay range in Raleigh
Three pay positions, modeled against current Raleigh market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
Travel Nurse salary percentile distribution in Raleigh, NC
Where the Raleigh market actually sits for Travel Nurse base pay.
Most Raleigh employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($105,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $91,000 and a max of $121,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
North Carolina pay transparency compliance for Travel Nurse job postings
What you must post when hiring a Travel Nurse in North Carolina.
For a Travel Nurse role in Raleigh, a compliant good-faith range looks like $91,000 to $121,000. No statutory requirement applies, but if you disclose voluntarily, post a good-faith range of $91,000–$121,000 rather than a single number — it screens out misaligned candidates and reduces offer-stage fallout.
Top Travel Nurse employers in Raleigh — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring Travel Nurses in the Raleigh metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aya Healthcare | Travel agency | $99K–$124K | Per contract |
| Cross Country Healthcare | Travel agency | $99K–$124K | Per contract |
| Medical Solutions | Travel agency | $99K–$124K | Per contract |
| Trusted Health | Travel agency / tech-driven | $99K–$124K | Per contract |
| Direct contracts (Duke, WakeMed, UNC Rex) | Academic hospital direct | $109K–$132K | Hospital-direct premium |
Travel Nurse talent supply and hiring difficulty in Raleigh
How hard is it to fill a Travel Nurse role in Raleigh.
Raleigh travel nurse demand driven by acute care specialty gaps and 13-week contract cycles.
Skill premiums Travel Nurse candidates command in Raleigh, NC
| 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 Raleigh — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for Travel Nurses in Raleigh. "Prevalence" reflects share of Raleigh disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Raleigh Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Taxed hourly base | $727–$969/hr | 100% |
| Housing stipend (untaxed) | $1,500–$2,300/wk | ~100% |
| Meals & incidentals | $300–$500/wk | ~100% |
| Travel reimbursement | $500–$1,500 per contract | ~85% |
| Completion bonus | $500–$2,500 per 13-wk | ~60% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$126K–$151K (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 Raleigh — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the Travel Nurse range splits by employer type in the Raleigh metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICU | $120,000 | $107K–$136K | Very high |
| ER | $114,000 | $103K–$130K | Very high |
| OR | $117,000 | $105K–$132K | Very high |
| L&D | $113,000 | $102K–$128K | Very high |
| Med-surg / telemetry | $97,000 | $86K–$109K | High |
FAQ: hiring a Travel Nurse in Raleigh, NC
Related Travel Nurse pay benchmarks — North Carolina 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.