Travel Psychiatric RN Jobs
Psych RN travel contracts at hospital inpatient units, behavioral health hospitals, crisis stabilization centers, and community mental health programs. Typical open contracts run $1,650–$2,100/week, topping out near $2,450.
Quick Answer
Travel psychiatric nurses earn $1,650–$2,100/week on typical open contracts in 2026, averaging $1,811, with a ceiling near $2,450. That is roughly 16% below the ~$2,150 average across travel RN contracts generally — psych is one of the lower-paying RN specialties to travel in, not a premium one. Massachusetts currently pays the most ($2,454); North Carolina has the most openings at a $1,554 average. A compact RN license covers 41 states and reaches most psych contracts we carry. If higher behavioral health pay is the goal, the licensed clinician roles — LCSW, LMFT, LPCC — run $2,379–$3,453.
Measured from our own open psychiatric RN contracts and refreshed every four hours — not estimates. Volume and rate pull in opposite directions: the state with the most openings is rarely the one paying the most.
| State | Average Weekly | Top Rate Open | Open Contracts |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $2,142 | $2,302 | 37 |
| Massachusetts | $2,333 | $2,454 | 7 |
| North Carolina | $1,183 | $1,186.14 | 3 |
| Maine | $2,272 | $2,272 | 2 |
| Missouri | $1,966 | $1,966 | 2 |
| Kansas | $1,938 | $2,085 | 2 |
| Colorado | $1,678 | $1,682.5 | 2 |
| Nevada | $1,623 | $2,074 | 2 |
| Tennessee | $1,483 | $1,910 | 2 |
| Illinois | $2,386 | $2,386 | 1 |
| Nebraska | $2,362 | $2,362 | 1 |
Across all 61 open psychiatric RN contracts the average is $2,062/week. For comparison, travel RN contracts across all specialties average about $2,150/week — psychiatric nursing pays below the RN field, not above it.
61 open now — apply right here, it takes about a minute.
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital
Holyoke, MA
$2,454/wk
13 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital
Holyoke, MA
$2,454/wk
13 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital
Holyoke, MA
$2,454/wk
13 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital
Holyoke, MA
$2,454/wk
13 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Mosaic in Rockford
Rockford, IL
$2,386/wk
13 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Regional West Medical Center
Scottsbluff, NE
$2,362/wk
13 weeks · Variable Shift 12 hrs
Healthcare Travel Assignment
High Desert State Prison (HDSP)
Susanville, CA
$2,302/wk
47 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
St Mary's Regional Medical Center
Lewiston, ME
$2,272/wk
13 weeks · 12hr Nights
Healthcare Travel Assignment
St Mary's Regional Medical Center
Lewiston, ME
$2,272/wk
13 weeks · 12hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
High Desert State Prison (HDSP)
Susanville, CA
$2,262/wk
16 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP)
Crescent City, CA
$2,262/wk
19 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
High Desert State Prison (HDSP)
Susanville, CA
$2,242/wk
27 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) & (SVSP/PP)
Soledad, CA
$2,240/wk
27 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) & (SVSP/PP)
Soledad, CA
$2,240/wk
27 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) & (SVSP/PP)
Soledad, CA
$2,230/wk
28 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) & (SVSP/PP)
Soledad, CA
$2,230/wk
28 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) & (SVSP/PP)
Soledad, CA
$2,229/wk
27 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) & (SVSP/PP)
Soledad, CA
$2,229/wk
27 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) & (SVSP/PP)
Soledad, CA
$2,229/wk
27 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
High Desert State Prison (HDSP)
Susanville, CA
$2,222/wk
16 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) & (SVSP/PP)
Soledad, CA
$2,211/wk
13 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
High Desert State Prison (HDSP)
Susanville, CA
$2,202/wk
16 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) & (SVSP/PP)
Soledad, CA
$2,195/wk
13 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) & (SVSP/PP)
Soledad, CA
$2,187/wk
28 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
High Desert State Prison (HDSP)
Susanville, CA
$2,182/wk
15 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital
Holyoke, MA
$2,172/wk
13 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital
Holyoke, MA
$2,172/wk
13 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital
Holyoke, MA
$2,172/wk
13 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
California Correctional Institution (CCI)
Tehachapi, CA
$2,118/wk
31 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
California Correctional Institution (CCI)
Tehachapi, CA
$2,118/wk
45 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD)
San Diego, CA
$2,108/wk
32 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD)
San Diego, CA
$2,108/wk
31 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD)
San Diego, CA
$2,108/wk
31 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP)
Delano, CA
$2,097/wk
27 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF)
Chowchilla, CA
$2,097/wk
27 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
California Correctional Institution (CCI)
Tehachapi, CA
$2,090/wk
27 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
California Correctional Institution (CCI)
Tehachapi, CA
$2,090/wk
28 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
California Correctional Institution (CCI)
Tehachapi, CA
$2,090/wk
27 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
California Correctional Institution (CCI)
Tehachapi, CA
$2,090/wk
28 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Cottonwood Springs
Olathe, KS
$2,085/wk
13 weeks · 12hr Nights
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Calipatria State Prison (CAL)
Calipatria, CA
$2,082/wk
27 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital
Elko, NV
$2,074/wk
13 weeks · 12hr Nights
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD)
San Diego, CA
$2,065/wk
31 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP)
Delano, CA
$2,055/wk
28 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD)
San Diego, CA
$2,053/wk
27 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD)
San Diego, CA
$2,051/wk
26 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Calipatria State Prison (CAL)
Calipatria, CA
$2,042/wk
14 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP)
Ione, CA
$2,022/wk
16 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
California Institution for Women (CIW)
Corona, CA
$2,006/wk
27 weeks · 8hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Research Psychiatric Center
Kansas City, MO
$1,966/wk
13 weeks · 12hr Nights
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Research Psychiatric Center
Kansas City, MO
$1,966/wk
13 weeks · 12hr Nights
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Starr Regional Medical Center - Athens
Athens, TN
$1,910/wk
13 weeks · 12hr Nights
Healthcare Travel Assignment
California Institution for Women (CIW)
Corona, CA
$1,859/wk
10 weeks · 8hr Mids
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Cottonwood Springs
Olathe, KS
$1,791/wk
13 weeks · 12hr Nights
Healthcare Travel Assignment
HCA HealthONE Mental Health and Wellness Center, A part of Aurora Hospital
Aurora, CO
$1,683/wk
13 weeks · 12hr Nights
Healthcare Travel Assignment
HCA HealthONE Mental Health and Wellness Center, A part of Aurora Hospital
Aurora, CO
$1,673/wk
13 weeks · 12hr Nights
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Mission Hospital - Memorial Campus
Asheville, NC
$1,186/wk
13 weeks · 12hr Nights
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Mission Hospital - Memorial Campus
Asheville, NC
$1,186/wk
13 weeks · 12hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Mission Hospital - Memorial Campus
Asheville, NC
$1,178/wk
13 weeks · 12hr Nights
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital
Elko, NV
$1,172/wk
13 weeks · 12hr Nights
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Starr Regional Medical Center - Athens
Athens, TN
$1,055/wk
13 weeks · 12hr Nights
Updated every 4 hours from CatSol's live inventory.
Travel Psych RN — Holyoke, MA
Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital · 13 weeks · 8hr Days
$2,454/wk
Quick Apply →
Travel Psych RN — Holyoke, MA
Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital · 13 weeks · 8hr Days
$2,454/wk
Quick Apply →
Travel Psych RN — Holyoke, MA
Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital · 13 weeks · 8hr Days
$2,454/wk
Quick Apply →
Travel Psych RN — Holyoke, MA
Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital · 13 weeks · 8hr Days
$2,454/wk
Quick Apply →
Travel Psych RN — Rockford, IL
Mosaic in Rockford · 13 weeks · 8hr Days
$2,386/wk
Quick Apply →
Travel Psych RN — Scottsbluff, NE
Regional West Medical Center · 13 weeks · Variable Shift 12 hrs
$2,362/wk
Quick Apply →
Travel Psych RN — Susanville, CA
High Desert State Prison (HDSP) · 47 weeks · 8hr Days
$2,302/wk
Quick Apply →
Travel Psych RN — Lewiston, ME
St Mary's Regional Medical Center · 13 weeks · 12hr Nights
$2,272/wk
Quick Apply →
Travel Psych RN — Lewiston, ME
St Mary's Regional Medical Center · 13 weeks · 12hr Days
$2,272/wk
Quick Apply →
Travel Psych RN — Susanville, CA
High Desert State Prison (HDSP) · 16 weeks · 8hr Mids
$2,262/wk
Quick Apply →
Travel Psych RN — Crescent City, CA
Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) · 19 weeks · 8hr Days
$2,262/wk
Quick Apply →
Travel Psych RN — Susanville, CA
High Desert State Prison (HDSP) · 27 weeks · 8hr Days
$2,242/wk
Quick Apply →
CA
37
open positions
MA
7
open positions
NC
3
open positions
ME
2
open positions
KS
2
open positions
NV
2
open positions
Active RN License
Compact or state endorsement. Compact covers 41 states; CA, NY, MA, IL require separate license.
1–2 Years Psych Experience
Inpatient psychiatric nursing required. Most hospital contracts: 1 yr minimum. Correctional psych: 2 yrs preferred.
BLS / ACLS
Both required by most facilities. AHA certification preferred. CatSol will confirm facility-specific requirement.
CPI / De-escalation Training
Crisis Prevention Intervention or NVCI training. Many facilities require or strongly prefer this.
PMH-BC Certification (Optional)
ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health RN Board Certification. Adds $1–$4/hr and strengthens your profile in competitive markets.
CCHP-RN (Corrections Optional)
Correctional health certification. Adds $2–$5/hr on CDCR and TDCJ contracts. Apply after 2 yrs corrections experience.
CDCR operates under a federal Coleman consent decree requiring mandated psychiatric staffing levels, and it is a real source of behavioral health contracts. It is worth being precise about which credential it hires: California correctional behavioral health is filled through Licensed Psychiatric Technicians and licensed clinicians — LPT $2,017 average, LCSW up to $3,422, LMFT $2,701 — rather than psychiatric RNs. We have never placed a psych-specialty RN on a California contract, so a CA BRN endorsement will not open this work to you.
CatSol's corrections-specialist recruiters place travel psychiatric nurses at CDCR, TDCJ, and hospital behavioral health units. Transparent pay. Fast credentialing. Real recruiter support.
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