Specialty: Correctional Travel Nursing
High-paying contract positions at California and Texas state correctional facilities. CatSol specializes in CDCR and TDCJ placements.
Quick Answer
Correctional travel nurses earn $2,600–$4,800 per week at state prison facilities in 2026. CDCR (California) pays the highest at $2,800–$4,800/wk for RNs. TDCJ (Texas) pays $2,600–$3,400/wk. Federal BOP pays $2,400–$3,200/wk. CatSol specializes in CDCR and TDCJ placements, with 246+ open California positions.
Current demand and pay rates across the top correctional systems — updated April 27, 2026.
| System | State | RN Weekly Pay | LVN/LPN | Open Positions | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDCR | California | $2,800–$4,800/wk | $1,805–$2,626/wk | 246+ | 🔴 Critical |
| TDCJ | Texas | $2,600–$3,400/wk | $1,600–$2,200/wk | 60+ | 🟠 High |
| Federal BOP | Nationwide | $2,400–$3,200/wk | $1,500–$2,000/wk | 40+ | 🟠 High |
| NMCD | New Mexico | $2,500–$3,200/wk | $1,500–$1,900/wk | 15+ | 🟡 Moderate |
| ADCRR | Arizona | $2,400–$3,100/wk | $1,400–$1,800/wk | 20+ | 🟡 Moderate |
| FDOC | Florida | $2,400–$3,000/wk | $1,400–$1,800/wk | 25+ | 🟡 Moderate |
CDCR System
TDCJ System
NMCD System
BOP System
ADOC System
AKDOC System
ADCRR System
ADC System
CDOC System
CTDOC System
DDOC System
DC DOC System
FDC System
GDC System
HIPSD System
IDOC System
IDOC System
INDOC System
IADOC System
KDOC System
KYDOC System
LADOC System
MEDOC System
DPSCS System
MADOC System
MIDOC System
MNDOC System
MDOC System
MODOC System
MTDOC System
NDCS System
NVDOC System
NHDOC System
NJDOC System
DOCCS System
NCDAC System
NDDCR System
ODRC System
OKDOC System
ORDOC System
PADOC System
RIDOC System
SCDC System
SDDOC System
TDOC System
UTDOC System
VTDOC System
VADOC System
WADOC System
WVDCR System
WIDOC System
WYDOC System
California has 246+ correctional nursing openings — 20% of all CatSol jobs. Most positions are at CDCR facilities near these hub metros.
Lancaster · Blythe · Corcoran
3 facility clustersSanta Rosa · San Ramon · Salinas · Soledad
4 facility clustersIone · Stockton · Susanville
3 facility clustersCorcoran · Soledad · Coalinga
3 facility clustersCalipatria · Blythe
2 facility clustersTexas has 60+ TDCJ correctional nursing openings concentrated around the Huntsville corridor and major metros.
Detailed pages with live pay data for each role and correctional system.
California CDCR — By Role
Other Systems & Deep Dives
How much do correctional nurses really make? Complete pay breakdown by state, role, facility type, and system — CDCR vs BOP vs TDCJ head-to-head comparison, staff vs. travel contract math, and six strategies to maximize your corrections nurse salary.
Safer staffing ratios
Correctional facilities follow structured nurse-to-patient ratios, unlike many hospital settings.
Predictable schedules
12-hour shifts, 3 days per week. Minimal mandatory overtime compared to acute care.
Premium pay packages
Correctional assignments frequently pay more than comparable hospital positions.
Long contracts
13-week contracts with frequent extension opportunities. Less frequent relocation.
Varied clinical experience
Correctional nursing covers chronic care, urgent care, psych, and intake screenings.
High job security
Government-operated facilities have consistent staffing demand regardless of economic cycles.
CatSol recruiters specialize in CDCR and TDCJ placements. We handle credentialing, background checks, and the full onboarding process.
Correctional travel nursing involves working as a contract nurse at a jail, prison, or detention facility. Travel nurses fill temporary staffing needs at state and federal correctional facilities, typically on 13-week contracts.
Correctional travel nurses typically earn $2,600–$3,900 per week depending on state, location, and specialty. Pay packages include a taxable hourly rate plus tax-free housing and meals & incidentals stipends.
A current RN, LVN, or CNA license in the assignment state is required. Some facilities require BLS/CPR. Prior correctional experience is preferred but not always required — med-surg, psych, or long-term care backgrounds translate well.
Yes. Nurses work in secured medical units with controlled access. Security staff are present at all times. CDCR and TDCJ provide mandatory orientation to security protocols before your first shift.
Correctional nursing combines primary care, chronic disease management, urgent care, and psychiatric nursing in a secure environment. Schedules are more predictable, ratios are often better, and pay tends to be higher than comparable hospital positions.
Yes. CatSol has deep inventory in California and Texas correctional facilities, with recruiters who specialize in CDCR and TDCJ placements. We handle the full credentialing and background check process.