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May 28, 2026
The travel nursing industry has experienced major changes over the past several years, and new data from Staffing Industry Analysts’ (SIA) 2026 Travel Nurse Benchmarking Survey shows that while the market is stabilizing, travel nursing continues to remain a strong and valuable career path for clinicians nationwide.
According to the SIA report, aggregate travel nurse revenue declined 12.1% in 2025 due largely to lower assignment volume. However, despite these recent declines, the report emphasizes that the travel nursing market remains significantly larger than it was before the pandemic.
For travel nurses, this is an important reminder that although the market may look different than it did during peak COVID demand, opportunities across the country continue to remain strong.
At Aequor, we continue connecting travel nurses with assignments nationwide while helping clinicians navigate today’s evolving healthcare staffing landscape.
The past few years brought rapid changes to healthcare staffing. During the pandemic, hospitals relied heavily on travel nurses to help address urgent staffing shortages, causing assignment demand and bill rates to surge.
The latest SIA benchmarking data shows the industry is now transitioning into a more stable phase. While assignment volume declined in 2025, the report notes that many financial metrics across the travel nurse industry appear to be leveling out well above pre-pandemic levels.
For travel nurses, this means:
Although the emergency-level demand of previous years has eased, travel nursing remains an essential part of healthcare workforce strategy across the country.
One of the most notable findings from the SIA survey is that travel nurse bill rates have remained relatively stable.
According to the report, the aggregate travel nurse bill rate reached $90.54 in 2025, slightly higher than the $90.13 average in 2024.
While travel nurses may notice some differences in pay packages compared to pandemic peaks, compensation across the industry continues to remain strong compared to historical averages.
Healthcare facilities are still facing:
As a result, experienced travel nurses continue to play a critical role in supporting healthcare systems nationwide.
One reason travel nursing remains popular is the flexibility it offers clinicians throughout different stages of their careers.
Many travel nurses continue choosing assignments because they provide:
Even as the market stabilizes, many nurses continue seeking travel opportunities that align with both their professional and personal goals.
At Aequor, we continue seeing strong interest from nurses looking for assignments that offer flexibility, support, and meaningful career experiences.
While assignment volume may have declined compared to the extraordinary demand of recent years, travel nurses remain essential to healthcare staffing nationwide.
Hospitals and healthcare systems continue relying on travel nurses to:
The SIA report reinforces that travel nursing is no longer viewed as a short-term staffing trend. Instead, contingent nursing support has become a permanent and necessary part of many healthcare workforce strategies.
The latest SIA data shows that travel nursing continues evolving into a more mature and stable industry following years of rapid growth and fluctuation.
While assignment demand may no longer reflect pandemic-era highs, travel nursing remains:
● A highly valuable career option
● A strong source of flexibility and income
● An important workforce solution for hospitals
● A growing long-term career path for clinicians
Healthcare facilities across the country still need experienced nurses who can step into new environments quickly and provide high-quality patient care.
At Aequor, we’re committed to helping travel nurses find rewarding assignments that align with their goals, specialties, and preferred locations.
Whether you’re exploring your first travel assignment or looking for your next opportunity, Aequor can help you navigate today’s travel nursing market with confidence. Browse our job board for open travel nursing positions, and get connected with an Aequor recruiter today!
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