Travel CNA: Salary Expectations & Career Possibilities

Becoming a travel Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) offers opportunities for personal and professional growth. CNAs do so much more than check vital signs and assist with daily living activities; as a CNA, you use your skills in communication, empathy, and teamwork to make a positive impact on patients’ lives with direct care and support.

Many CNAs enjoy the satisfaction that comes from providing excellent patient care and helping the facilities they work in run more smoothly. They also know that they can earn more by taking their talents on the road. As a travel CNA, you can enjoy immense flexibility in your career and working environment, as well as a boost in your paycheck.

Understanding salary expectations before embarking on this path ensures your career as a travel nursing assistant is both personally and professionally fulfilling. Learn more about what you will do as a travel CNA and the pay rates you can expect from going this route.

The Role of a Travel CNA

Certified Nursing Assistants support registered nurses and other healthcare professionals in providing direct patient care. In addition to taking vital signs, CNAs may assist patients with activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and eating. They may also move nonambulatory patients, transport them between areas of the facility, and monitor them for changes in appearance or condition.

Your role as a travel CNA is to provide this high level of care in hospitals and medical facilities across the United States. Unlike a full-time staff CNA, you will take on short-term assignments as you move between various locations.

This option provides unparalleled career flexibility, giving you the freedom to work in different cities and environments while making a meaningful impact on patient outcomes.

Average Salary: What to Expect as a CNA on the Move

Data provided by thousands of travel CNAs reveals that the average salary for these positions across the United States is $55,007 per year, or $26.45 per hour. Entry-level positions start at nearly $43,000, while you could make more than $77,000 with some experience under your belt.

These statistics highlight the significant salary differences between a traditional and travel CNA salary. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the average staff CNA in the United States earns just $39,610 per year, or $19.04 per hour.

Clearly, travel jobs in the healthcare field have significant financial benefits for you as a professional caregiver. If you are open to a little adventure, this option is certainly worth considering.

Factors Influencing Travel CNA Salaries

Although national averages provide a ballpark estimate of what you might expect to earn from travel nursing assistant jobs, these numbers do not paint a complete picture. Travel CNA salary data can vary based on a few factors.

For example, your geographic location influences how much you will make as a travel CNA. Some areas experience chronic CNA shortages, so the demand is higher — and this is often reflected in CNA pay. Thus, areas with a higher number of active jobs in the field typically offer higher salaries for those willing to travel to fill them.

For example, California, Colorado, and New York have moderate demand for travel CNAs, and jobs in these states pay between $50,000 and $60,000 per year on average. However, the average travel CNA salary in states like Alaska and Hawaii is between $74,000 and $79,000 because CNAs can be harder to find in those areas.

Your level of training, certifications, and experience will also influence your salary. As a CNA, you can increase your salary and job opportunities with additional nursing assistant certifications, such as:

• Certified Medication Assistant
• Certified Restorative Aide
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician
• Certified Hemodialysis Technician

Another factor that affects salary is the type of facility you work in. Hospitals tend to offer higher rates than home healthcare and long-term care employers. You can also expect to earn more through shift differentials if you work on nights and weekends.

Nursing Jobs with GHR Healthcare

Benefits Beyond Salary

Travel CNA jobs are known to be financially rewarding, but a higher hourly rate is not the only perk. Many agencies hiring travel CNAs provide stipends for housing accommodations. Depending on the type of housing you choose, you might end up with extra money in your pocket while enjoying the adventure of traveling around the country.

Your agency might also reimburse you for travel expenses. This may include car rentals, gas and mileage, hotel stays, meals, and other incidentals. It can also include any necessary fees for licensing reciprocity, as some states require additional applications and paperwork before you can work.

Additionally, many agencies offer robust health insurance and retirement plans, giving you greater peace of mind and the ability to plan for your future.

Finally, becoming a travel CNA provides ample opportunity for professional development. Agencies want to ensure that you have all the training you need to offer maximum value to the facilities you work in. Your agency might pay for additional courses and certifications, allowing you to increase your salary further while advancing in your career.

How to Maximize Your Earnings as a Travel CNA

Many travel CNAs take on this role because of the competitive salaries and career flexibility a travel contract offers. However, there are ways to increase your income even further. One option is to pursue additional certifications or specializations. Learning to give medication and draw blood, for example, can set you apart and increase your value in the job market.

Some additional steps you can take to maximize your earnings with travel assignments include:

• Gaining experience in high-demand specialties such as geriatrics, dementia care, pediatrics, cardiology, and psychiatry
• Taking assignments in higher-paying regions such as Alaska and Hawaii, which often pay more due to the challenging nature of finding qualified professionals
• Negotiating effectively for higher wages or increased benefits in your contracts

Maximizing your travel CNA salary requires a proactive approach. By planning ahead, you could achieve greater personal and professional freedom as your career progresses.

Travel Nursing Jobs with GHR Healthcare

Considering a Career as a Travel CNA With GHR Healthcare

For more than three decades, GHR Healthcare has helped CNAs achieve their career goals. As a reputable staffing agency specializing in healthcare positions, we connect CNAs with rewarding travel assignments that offer both lucrative salaries and high levels of personal fulfillment.

Our team provides personalized career support and resources for every candidate. We offer guidance at each step, from application, to interview, to offer.

Our Guide to Travel Nursing Interviews is a great resource for anyone on the job hunt for a travel assignment. Also, explore current travel CNA opportunities with GHR Healthcare, and let us help you land a role you love.

Take on your next travel assignment with GHR Healthcare

 

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