Travel Nursing · Pay Calculator
Psychiatric Travel Nurses Pay Calculator — 2026
Psychiatric / behavioral health travel nurses fill a growing gap in mental health services across the country. With inpatient psych units chronically understaffed, packages have risen to $1,700–$2,400/week — strong for a specialty with lower acuity demands than ICU.
Typical weekly package
$1,972–$3,262
Taxable hourly rate
$27–$42/hr
Housing stipend
$750–$1400/wk
Demand
High
Your true take-home breakdown
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Psychiatric Travel Nurses: Pay, Demand & What to Expect
Typical pay breakdown
Psychiatric Travel Nurses travel contracts typically include a taxable hourly rate of $27–$42/hour (W-2 wages), plus tax-free housing stipends of $750–$1400/week and M&IE stipends of $250–$350/week. The total package ranges from $1,972–$3,262/week before taxes.
The tax-free stipends are the key to travel nursing's earning power. Because housing and M&IE stipends are not subject to federal income tax or FICA (when IRS and GSA rules are met), your effective take-home pay is significantly higher than a staff nurse earning a similar gross salary. The calculator above shows your exact after-tax take-home based on your specific contract details.
Hot markets
The highest-paying psychiatric travel nurses contracts are currently concentrated in: California, Oregon, Washington, New York, Massachusetts. Pay varies significantly by state — California contracts are often 20–40% higher than the national average due to mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios and high cost of living.
Strategy tip
Psych travelers comfortable with high-acuity populations (forensic, dual-diagnosis, adolescent) have the widest options and best rates. De-escalation skills, comfort with involuntary holds (5150/5250 in California, Baker Act in Florida), and crisis intervention training (CPI) are expected at most facilities.
Tax-free stipend eligibility
To receive housing and M&IE stipends tax-free, you must maintain a bona fide tax home — a permanent residence you return to and have ongoing costs for (rent, mortgage, utilities). The IRS considers whether you are duplicating living expenses away from home. Working in your home metro for more than 12 months may disqualify your stipends. The calculator's GSA compliance and tax-home risk sections flag these scenarios automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do psychiatric travel nurses make?
Psychiatric travel nurses typically earn $1,700–$2,400/week. Pay is lower than critical care specialties but strong relative to psych staff nurse salaries. California psych travelers see the highest packages due to mandatory staffing ratios and high cost of living.
Is psych nursing a good specialty for travel nursing?
Yes — demand for psych travelers is rising as the mental health crisis drives higher inpatient census nationwide. Psych travel is also less physically demanding than critical care, making it attractive for nurses seeking a sustainable long-term travel career. The tradeoff is lower pay compared to ICU or OR specialties.
Do psych travel nurses deal with violence?
Inpatient psychiatric nursing carries real risks of verbal and physical aggression, particularly on acute adult or forensic units. Most facilities require de-escalation training (CPI or MANDT) before travelers start. Comfort with therapeutic communication, clear limit-setting, and knowledge of restraint protocols are baseline expectations.
Other travel nurse specialties
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