Travel Nursing in Maryland | Top Paying Specialties & Cities 2023
Nestled between our nation’s capital and several remarkable waterways, including the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay, lies the state of Maryland. It’s famous for its rich history, strong economic opportunities, blue crabs, and beautiful landscapes including over 3,000 miles of coastline. If you’re looking for a travel nurse opportunity that offers the winning combination of a first-class clinical setting and a lively, culture-rich city to explore during your downtime, look no further. Here are just a few reasons to consider a travel nursing assignment in the “Old State Line” known as Maryland.
Looking for travel nurse assignments in Maryland? Speak with a recruiter today!
How Much Do Travel Nurses Make in Maryland?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maryland pays nurses an average of $82,660 a year which puts them at the national average for nurse pay as of March 2023. Depending on your specialty, supply and demand, and location, you may be able to find a higher-paying assignment.
Based on information from Indeed.com and Ziprecruiter.com, travel nurses can make up to $3500 a week while traveling in Maryland. The highest-paying cities are as follows:
| City | Hourly Wage | Weekly Wage | Monthly Wage |
| Glen Burnie | $49.34 | $1,973 | $8,552 |
| Ellicott City | $48.31 | $1,932 | $8,373 |
| Silver Spring | $47.68 | $1,907 | $8,263 |
| Waldorf | $44.84 | $1,793 | $7,772 |
| Baltimore | $44.12 | $1,764 | $7,646 |
Highest Paying Specialties in Maryland:
- CVOR $3200-$3500/week
- Cath Lab $2500-$3500/week
- VICU $2700-$3100/week
- ICU $2300-$2800/week
- PCU $2300-2800/week
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
Top 5 Hospitals in Maryland
Maryland is home to several excellent hospitals that provide high-quality care to patients. These top hospitals have a strong reputation for providing extraordinary patient care and are staffed by highly skilled healthcare professionals:
- Johns Hopkins Hospital: Located in Baltimore, Johns Hopkins Hospital is consistently ranked as one of the top hospitals in the country. It is known for its world-class research programs and expertise in a variety of medical specialties. It is particularly well known for its work in areas such as cancer, neurology, cardiology, ophthalmology, and psychiatry.
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Also located in Baltimore, the University of Maryland Medical Center is a teaching hospital that offers a wide range of services, including trauma care, cancer treatment, and organ transplants.
- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital: Located in Washington, D.C. (though you can still live in Maryland and work here), MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is a major academic medical center that specializes in areas such as cancer care, neurology, and gastroenterology.
- MedStar Union Memorial Hospital: Located in Baltimore, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital is known for its expertise in orthopedics, spine care, and sports medicine.
- Anne Arundel Medical Center: Located in Annapolis, Anne Arundel Medical Center is a regional health system that offers a wide range of services, including cancer care, heart and vascular care, and women’s health.
Cost of Living for Travel Nurses in Maryland
Maryland is not the best state when it comes to affordable housing. Maryland’s cost of living for housing in its two biggest metropolitan areas significantly exceeds the national average. According to a 2021 report by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, Maryland ranks as the 12th most expensive state in the U.S.
Housing, transportation, and healthcare are among the highest expenses in Maryland. However, the cost of living can vary greatly depending on the specific location within the state. Some areas of Maryland, such as the suburbs of Baltimore and Washington D.C., can be quite expensive, while more rural areas may have a lower cost of living. According to Expatistan.com, an unfurnished studio apartment will cost an average of $1,100-$1,473 per month and a furnished studio like many travel nurses prefer to use will cost an average of $2,100-$2,700.
Pros and Cons of Travel Nursing in Maryland
Pros of travel nursing in Maryland:
- Maryland was the first state to join the NLC, the nation’s Nurse Licensure Compact. This means that if you have a valid nursing license from another state in the NLC, you don’t need to acquire a Maryland license to legally work as a travel nurse in the state.
- Beautiful scenery: Maryland is known for its beautiful natural scenery, including the Chesapeake Bay, the Appalachian Mountains, and numerous state and national parks.
- Cultural attractions: Maryland is home to many museums, galleries, and cultural institutions, including the Smithsonian museums in nearby Washington, D.C.
- Easy access to major cities: Maryland is located within easy driving distance of major cities like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City.
- Healthcare: Maryland is home to several top-ranked hospitals and medical centers, including Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
- Weather: You can experience all four seasons, with mild temperatures in the spring and fall, hot summers, and snowy winters. This allows residents to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities throughout the year, or you can pick your favorite season to coincide with your assignment.
Cons of travel nursing in Maryland:
- High cost of living: Maryland has a higher cost of living compared to the national average, with higher housing costs, taxes, and other expenses.
- Traffic congestion: The state’s major metropolitan areas, such as Baltimore and Washington, D.C. suburbs, experience heavy traffic congestion during peak travel times.
- Harsh weather: While Maryland experiences all four seasons, winters can be harsh, with heavy snowfall and below-freezing temperatures.
- Crime rates: Some parts of Maryland have higher crime rates than others, particularly in urban areas.
Fun Things To Do On Your Days Off
Maryland offers a variety of activities and attractions that are sure to appeal to visitors of all ages and interests. From the nature lover to the thrill seeker, the foodie to the history buff — Maryland’s cities and towns deliver.
Here are some of the top things to do in Maryland:
- Visit the National Aquarium: Located in Baltimore, the National Aquarium is home to thousands of aquatic animals from around the world, including sharks, dolphins, and sea turtles.
- Explore the Chesapeake Bay: Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay offers plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water sports, as well as scenic drives and picturesque towns along the shoreline.
- Tour the U.S. Naval Academy: Located in Annapolis, the U.S. Naval Academy is a historic institution that offers tours of its impressive campus, including the stunning Chapel and the Naval Academy Museum.
- Explore the Inner Harbor: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, offering a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions, including the Maryland Science Center and the USS Constellation.
- Visit Maryland’s beautiful coastal towns: Assateague Island National Seashore with its wild horses or the bustling boardwalk of Ocean City are a couple of Maryland’s waterways that are a defining and stunning feature of this mid-Atlantic state.
Why Maryland?
Maryland is a great place to live for those who value quality healthcare, education, a strong economy, beautiful scenery, cultural attractions, and easy access to major cities. Maryland’s high demand for nurses, several nationally ranked healthcare institutions, and NLC status all combine to make the state an attractive prospect for your next travel nursing assignment.
Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in Maryland!
