Aequor has thousands Healthcare, Schools, Life Science & Technologies Jobs across the country!
Search Now
Earn up to $1,500 each hire. Make it a side hustle & become an Aequor Ambassador.
Refer Now
Feb 11, 2026
If you’ve been in travel nursing over the last few years, you’ve seen it all – record pay, nonstop demand, and now a more competitive (but stabilizing) market.
So what’s actually happening with travel nurse jobs right now?
The short answer: travel nursing isn’t slowing down, it’s normalizing. And demand for skilled clinicians is still strong.
According to Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), the travel nurse market surged during COVID, with revenue jumping 162% in 2021 as hospitals rushed to fill staffing gaps. Revenue peaked at $44.6 billion in 2022, then pulled back as crisis-level demand eased.
Now, the market is finding its footing, and that’s good news for travel nurses looking for steady, long-term opportunities.
Even as pay rates adjust from pandemic highs, the core need for travel healthcare professionals has not changed. Hospitals across the country continue to face ongoing nurse shortages, rising patient volumes, and persistent burnout among permanent staff. Seasonal census spikes create additional pressure, and many facilities depend on flexible, contingent clinicians to maintain safe staffing levels and consistent patient care.
As SIA healthcare staffing analyst Crystal Fullilove explains, “The travel nursing model has never been a temporary solution. Travel nurses will continue to be vital to keeping care accessible and hospitals functioning day to day.” In simple terms, travel nurses are not optional. They are critical to the healthcare system.
Recent research from Staffing Industry Analysts highlights just how dramatic the past few years have been. Travel nurse revenue grew from $8.7 billion in 2019 to $44.6 billion in 2022 during the height of the pandemic. After that surge, 2025 marked a market correction, with revenue projected at $14.2 billion. However, growth is expected to return in 2026 as the market stabilizes. Bill rates have also leveled out compared to pandemic peaks, creating a more sustainable environment for both hospitals and clinicians.
While crisis-level pay has cooled, demand for experienced registered nurses remains strong, particularly in specialty areas such as ICU, ER, OR, and labor and delivery,
For clinicians, this shift brings something many have been waiting for: stability. Instead of short-term surge contracts that come and go quickly, travel nurses are seeing more consistent job availability, predictable contracts, and competitive pay that supports long-term career planning. Assignments are lasting longer, and opportunities are opening up in a wider range of locations across the country.
All of this means travel nursing is evolving into a dependable career path rather than a temporary boom. If you are flexible with your location or specialty, there are still plenty of high-paying travel nurse jobs available nationwide.
At Aequor, we focus on connecting travel nurses with assignments that align with their personal and professional goals. Whether you are looking for higher pay, a better schedule, or the chance to explore somewhere new, our team works to match you with the right opportunity.
You gain access to travel nurse jobs across the country, dedicated recruiters who advocate for you, competitive compensation and benefits, fast placements, and support throughout every step of your assignment. Healthcare facilities still need strong clinicians, and we make sure they find you.
The market may look different than 2021, but travel nursing isn’t going anywhere.
If anything, it’s becoming more sustainable, more strategic, and more dependable for nurses who want flexibility and freedom.
Explore current travel nurse jobs with Aequor, and get connected with a dedicated Aequor recruiter to take the next step in your travel career.
You'll be the first to know when there's something new.
Feb 02, 2026