Travel Nursing in Nevada | Top Paying Specialties & Cities 2023
Travel Nursing in Nevada
Nevada is one of those states that flies completely under the radar even though it has so much to offer. Although most famously known for the iconic Las Vegas strip, Nevada has so much more to offer than just city life. From Lake Tahoe to the Hoover Dam to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area, there are many places to see and explore while you are in the Silver State.
The two largest Nevada cities are Las Vegas and Reno, which both have great diversity in hospitals and provide options for many nursing specialties to search for contracts. Nevada is part of the eNLC which makes it an appealing choice since it will eliminate a licensure step for many nurses looking for job opportunities. From the screaming hot desert to the cool, mountain lakes, Nevada has many hidden gems making it a wonderful place to explore.
Looking for travel nurse assignments in Nevada? Speak with a recruiter today!
How Much Do Travel Nurses Make in Nevada?
With the ever-changing travel rates toying with nurse’s hearts, Nevada provides an average rate compared to other states regionally. Indeed.com estimates that the average travel nurse is making $2,482 a week. Since the rates have begun to drastically fall throughout this year, Nevada still remains competitive compared to many of the other travel jobs around the country with a similar cost of living. With many critical access to hospitals around the state, along with big cities, there are plenty positions to choose from. Currently, Indeed.com lists these cities as the highest paying travel locations in Nevada.
- Fallon, NV – $3,271/week
- Pahrump, NV – $2,906/week
- Henderson, NV – $2,857/week
- Carson City, NV – $2,631week
- Ely, NV – $2,592/week
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
Highest Paying Specialties in Nevada
Nevada is an interesting state because it is home to two, very large cities, but the rest of the state remains fairly remote. If you are a nurse that works in a highly specialized unit, then you will not have quite the same luxury of options as other states in terms of location diversity. However, there are still plenty of jobs posted that could potentially fit the bill depending on what kind of contract you are looking for. As of the summer of 2023, these are the top-paying specialties based on current contracts for a 36-hour week.
- CVOR – $3,979/week
- Interventional Radiology – $3,841/week
- Radiology – $3,600/week
- PICU – $2,669/week
- NICU – $2,835/week
Top 5 Hospitals in Nevada
US News evaluated 59 hospitals in Nevada and ranked them in order of their quality and the way they meet certain standards. Here are the top five hospitals in Nevada.
1. Renown Regional Medical Center
- Location: Reno, NV
- High Performing: 8 Procedures/Conditions
2. St. Rose Dominican Hospital-Siena Campus
- Location: Henderson, NV
- High Performing: 6 Procedures/Conditions
- Location: Carson City, NV
- High Performing: 5 Procedures/Conditions
4. Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center
- Location: Las Vegas, NV
- High Performing: 3 Procedures/Conditions
- Location: Reno, NV
- High Performing: 3 Procedures/Conditions
Cost of Living for Travel Nurses in Nevada
The cost of living in Nevada can vary depending on the city or region within the state. Generally speaking, Nevada has a relatively low cost of living compared to many other states in the United States. However, certain cities like Las Vegas and Reno can be more expensive due to higher housing costs and demand. Nevada is ranked at number 29 in cost of living from a 2022 survey, which places it very close to the middle of America prices. And, if you were to remove the metropolis of Las Vegas from that data, the numbers would drastically decrease.
The cost of living in Las Vegas will be grossly different than if you choose to take a contract in a rural town in Nevada. However, based on a pull of data ranging from housing to groceries to utilities, Livingcost.org estimates that the monthly average for 1 person to live in Nevada is $2,129. When you consider the current travel rates, that is less than one week’s worth of pay – leaving 75% of your budget to either spend or save, depending on your situation. Nevada also does not have any income tax, so as a traveler who doesn’t have to pay any property tax in the state either, this is a great bonus and allows you to fully capitalize on your earnings.
Pros & Cons of Travel Nursing in Nevada
Pros of Travel Nursing in Nevada
- Sunshine – The state of Nevada is one of the sunniest states in America. It averages 210 days of sunshine a year. If you need to escape the winter gloom for a few months, consider Nevada to bolster up your vitamin D levels.
- No state income tax – If you are looking to make your money go the farthest, you can’t get a better deal than 0 state income tax. With your tax-free stipends for traveling, almost every penny can go into your bank account. Keep in mind, you will still pay federal taxes on your income even if you live in a state that doesn’t have an income tax.
- Outdoor exploration – Full of mountains and deserts, you can find a wide variety of outdoor entertainment.
- Central location – Sandwiched between California, Utah, Arizona, and Oregon, there are plenty of opportunities to take a few day trips to explore some of the surrounding areas.
- Gaming – If you are going to take a contract in Nevada, you might as well live it up and test your luck on the Las Vegas strip.
Cons of Travel Nursing in Nevada
- Climate – If the heat doesn’t suit you very well, it is probably in your best interest to avoid traveling to Nevada in the summertime. And if you do travel to Nevada, it is in your best interest to pack tubs of body lotion as the dry climate will suck all of the moisture out of you.
- Education – Nevada is one of the least educated states in America. Only 25% of the population has a college degree, which makes it severely lacking in comparison to other states.
- Education system – To go hand in hand with a lack of education is a poor education system. The public schools in Nevada have a reputation for being less than average.
- Vices – Thanks to the gambling and drinking scene that Las Vegas attracts, it can draw a reasonably unhealthy crowd to the city and could make it difficult to control your vices if you know you already struggle with certain issues. If living around certain scenarios would be harmful to your personal progress and goals, Nevada might be a state to avoid.
- Crime rates and poverty – Nevada has a large population of unhoused people and higher than-average crime rates.
Things To Do on Your Days Off
Probably one of the most obvious things you can do on your days off in Nevada would be to visit Las Vegas and do the classic Vegas agenda items. Even if gambling isn’t quite up your alley of preferred entertainment, Las Vegas always has some world-class shows that perform on a nightly basis as well as world-renowned restaurants and chefs. While in Las Vegas, you could also take a trip down to Red Rock Canyon Conservation area and see some of the natural beauty that rests there. Known as a rock climber’s haven, this park has hiking trails, day picnic areas, and a great loop where you can enjoy the scenery from your car.
Another fun state park to visit is Valley of the Fire. Valley of Fire State Park is known for its stunning red sandstone formations, petroglyphs, and scenic drives. Hiking, camping, and photography opportunities abound in this beautiful desert park.
The Hoover Dam is an impressive engineering marvel that you can take a guided tour to learn about its construction and enjoy stunning views of Lake Mead and the surrounding area. Up in the northern part of the state, Lake Tahoe is a popular year-round destination. Enjoy outdoor activities like boating, swimming, hiking, skiing, and snowboarding. The area also offers scenic drives, cozy resorts, and a vibrant dining scene.
Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in Nevada!
Why Nevada?
Nevada is often overlooked. However, there are plenty of hidden gems throughout the state that you can enjoy while on assignment there, and though it still gets chilly in the winter months, you’ll be sure to escape the freezing winters normally found in the midwest or northeast. With the pay and cost of living being fairly average, you still have an opportunity to pocket some decent money while on assignment, assuming you have the self-control not to gamble it all away on your trips to Las Vegas. Consider traveling to Nevada and exploring the mountains, deserts, lakes, and career opportunities it has to offer.
