Best Travel Nurse Specialties for 2025

Discover the top-paying and most in-demand travel nurse specialties to help you plan your 2025 career path with confidence.

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Why Choosing the Right Specialty Matters

Not all travel nursing jobs are created equal. In 2025, your earning potential, job availability, and work-life balance will be largely determined by your specialty. High-paying roles often require experience in critical or surgical care, while high-demand roles offer job security and flexibility—even if they pay slightly less.

For example, Cardiovascular OR Nurses earn around $2,600/week but have fewer listings, while Med-Surg Nurses average lower pay but enjoy thousands of open contracts nationwide.

Top 5 Best Travel Nurse Specialties for 2025

To help you balance income and demand, here are the five travel nurse specialties offering strong salaries and consistent contract availability in 2025:

📊 Top 5 Travel Nurse Specialties by Pay & Demand

Sr.	Specialty	Avg. Weekly Pay	Active Listings
1	Cardiovascular OR Nurse	$2,597	2,670
2	Cath Lab Nurse	$2,562	5,911
3	PICU Nurse	$2,465	3,186
4	Operating Room Nurse	$2,368	8,373
5	Labor & Delivery Nurse	$2,342	17,112

1. Cardiovascular Operating Room (CVOR) Nurse

These nurses assist in heart surgeries and are highly specialized. Demand is moderate, but salaries are among the highest.

🏥 Ideal for: Experienced surgical nurses

📜 Recommended Certs: CNOR, CVRN

2. Cath Lab Nurse

Work with cardiologists during catheter-based heart procedures. Skills in ICU or telemetry are often required.

🏥 Ideal for: Cardiac care pros

📜 Recommended Certs: CCVN

3. Pediatric ICU (PICU) Nurse

Provide life-saving care to critically ill children. This role is emotionally intense but highly rewarding.

🏥 Ideal for: Nurses with pediatric/ICU background

📜 Recommended Certs: CCRN-P

4. Operating Room Nurse

OR nurses support a wide variety of surgeries, making them extremely versatile and always in demand.

🏥 Ideal for: Surgical generalists

📜 Recommended Certs: CNOR

5. Labor & Delivery Nurse

L&D nurses care for mothers and babies throughout childbirth. Demand is high in hospitals and birthing centers nationwide.

🏥 Ideal for: Nurses who love maternity care

📜 Recommended Certs: RNC-OB

What About Other Travel Nursing Specialties?

Aside from the top five, several other roles stand out in either pay or job security. Here are a few worth considering:

🔎 High-Paying Travel Nurse Specialties

First Assist Nurse – Up to $3,000/week
Assistant Nurse Manager – $4,700+/week (low demand)
Pediatric CVOR Nurse – $2,969/week

📈 Most In-Demand Specialties (Per Vivian Health Listings)

Sr.	Specialty	Open Jobs
1	Burn ICU Nurse	80,742
2	Med-Surg Nurse	77,145
3	Telemetry Nurse	35,215
4	ICU Nurse	38,793
5	ER Nurse	24,823

How to Choose the Right Specialty for You

Choosing a specialty isn’t just about pay. Consider the following:

✅ 1. Match Skills with Demand

If you’re newer to travel nursing, start with Med-Surg or Telemetry, which have lower barriers to entry and wide job availability.

✅ 2. Think About Your Lifestyle

Love fast-paced, high-adrenaline work? Consider ER or ICU. Prefer structured, predictable shifts? Look into OR or Home Health.

✅ 3. Plan for Certification

High-paying specialties often require advanced certifications. Use downtime between contracts to pursue credentials like ACLS, CNOR, or CCRN.

Where Are Travel Nurses Needed the Most in 2025?

States facing the largest nursing shortages include:

California
Florida
Texas
Arizona
Illinois

Urban hospitals, rural clinics, and seasonal hotspots (like Florida in winter) all create spikes in travel nurse demand.

What’s the Best Travel Nurse Specialty for 2025?

The best specialty is the one that balances your financial goals, clinical strengths, and desired lifestyle. If you want maximum job opportunities, go for Med-Surg or Labor & Delivery. If pay is your priority, explore OR or Cath Lab roles.

Regardless of your path, 2025 is shaping up to be a strong year for travel nurses in every specialty. Align your experience with market demand and start applying early to land top-paying contracts.

Which Travel Nurse Specialty Is Right for You?

All travel nursing specialties come with unique challenges, rewarding experiences, and exciting opportunities. While high-paying roles like First Assist Nurse might suit those looking to maximize income, in-demand roles like Med-Surg Nurses are ideal if you want job stability and schedule flexibility.

Ultimately, it’s all about finding the right balance between earning potential and demand, so you can reach your career goals while maintaining the lifestyle you want. With a wide array of assignments available, now is the perfect time to explore your next travel nurse opportunity.