California Correctional Travel Nursing Jobs

California operates the largest state prison system in the US. CDCR facilities offer travel nurses high-paying contracts, structured schedules, and long-term assignments across the state.

Pay Range$2,800–$3,800/wk
SystemCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Facilities33+

Quick Answer

California correctional travel nurses earn $2,800–$3,800 per week. CatSol has 246+ active CDCR openings across the state.

Jobs by Hub City

Find correctional nursing jobs within driving distance of major California metros.

Near Los Angeles

Lancaster(1 hr 15 min)
$3,200/wk
Blythe(2 hr 45 min)
$3,050/wk
Corcoran(2 hr 45 min)
$3,100/wk

Near San Francisco

Santa Rosa(1 hr)
$3,100/wk
San Ramon(45 min)
$3,000/wk
Salinas(1 hr 45 min)
$3,200/wk
Soledad(2 hr)
$3,100/wk

Near Sacramento

Ione(50 min)
$3,100/wk
Stockton(55 min)
$3,300/wk
Susanville(2 hr 30 min)
$3,400/wk

Near Fresno

Corcoran(1 hr)
$3,100/wk
Soledad(1 hr 45 min)
$3,100/wk
Coalinga(1 hr)
$2,900/wk

Near San Diego

Calipatria(2 hr)
$3,000/wk
Blythe(3 hr)
$3,050/wk

By Role & Setting

Detailed pages with live pay data for each nursing role at CDCR facilities.

Highest Pay

Registered Nurse (RN)

$2,800–$3,500/wk

Fast Entry

Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

$1,805–$2,626/wk

Entry Level

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

$1,177–$1,698/wk

Compare Your Options

CDCR vs State Hospitals (DSH)

Pay, culture, and schedule differences

CDCR vs Federal BOP

State vs federal correctional nursing

CDCR vs County Jails

State prisons vs LA, SD, county jails

Featured Facilities

Individual facility pages with detailed pay, duties, and housing info

Salinas Valley State Prison

Soledad, Monterey County

Level IV (Maximum)$2,900–$3,700/wkRN, LVN, CNA

California State Prison, Corcoran

Corcoran, Kings County

Level III / Level IV$2,800–$3,500/wkRN, LVN

Mule Creek State Prison

Ione, Amador County

Level II / Level III$2,700–$3,400/wkRN, LVN, CNA

High Desert State Prison

Susanville, Lassen County

Level III / Level IV$2,900–$3,600/wkRN, LVN

California Health Care Facility

Stockton, San Joaquin County

Medical / Mental Health Specialty$2,800–$3,600/wkRN, LVN, CNA

Pelican Bay State Prison

Crescent City, Del Norte County

Level IV (Maximum)$3,200–$4,000/wkRN, LVN

California State Prison, Los Angeles County

Lancaster, Los Angeles County

Level III / Level IV$2,900–$3,700/wkRN, LVN, CNA

R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility

San Diego, San Diego County

Level II / Level III / Level IV$2,800–$3,600/wkRN, LVN, CNA

San Quentin State Prison

San Quentin, Marin County

Level II (Reception Center)$2,900–$3,700/wkRN, LVN, CNA

Folsom State Prison

Folsom, Sacramento County

Level II (Medium)$2,800–$3,600/wkRN, LVN, CNA

California State Prison, Sacramento

Folsom, Sacramento County

Level IV (Maximum)$3,000–$3,800/wkRN, LVN

California Medical Facility

Vacaville, Solano County

Medical / Psychiatric Specialty$3,000–$3,800/wkRN, LVN, CNA

California State Prison, Solano

Vacaville, Solano County

Level II / Level III$2,800–$3,500/wkRN, LVN, CNA

California Institution for Men

Chino, San Bernardino County

Reception Center / Level II$2,800–$3,500/wkRN, LVN, CNA

California Institution for Women

Corona, San Bernardino County

All levels (women's facility)$2,800–$3,500/wkRN, LVN, CNA

California Correctional Institution

Tehachapi, Kern County

Levels I, II, III, IV (all-mission)$1,800–$3,200/wkRN, LVN, CNA, LPT, Behavioral Health

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran

Corcoran, Kings County

Level II / Level III / Level IV$1,900–$3,200/wkRN, LVN, CNA, LPT, Behavioral Health

Pleasant Valley State Prison

Coalinga, Fresno County

Level II / Level III / Level IV$1,800–$3,000/wkRN, LVN, CNA, LPT

Ironwood State Prison

Blythe, Riverside County

Level I / Level II$1,800–$3,000/wkRN, LVN, CNA

California State Prison, Centinela

Imperial, Imperial County

Level I / Level II / Level III$1,800–$3,000/wkRN, LVN, CNA

North Kern State Prison

Delano, Kern County

Reception Center / Level III$1,900–$3,200/wkRN, LVN, CNA

Correctional Training Facility

Soledad, Monterey County

Level II / Level III$1,900–$3,100/wkRN, LVN, CNA

Kern Valley State Prison

Delano, Kern County

Level IV (Maximum)$2,900–$3,500/wkRN, LVN

Avenal State Prison

Avenal, Kings County

Level I / Level II (Minimum-Medium)$2,900–$3,500/wkRN, LVN, CNA

California Correctional Center

Susanville, Lassen County

Level I / Level II (Conservation Camp Hub)$3,000–$3,700/wkRN, LVN, CNA

California Men's Colony

San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County

Level II / Level III$2,900–$3,600/wkRN, LVN, CNA, Psych RN

California Rehabilitation Center

Norco, Riverside County

Level I / Level II$2,900–$3,500/wkRN, LVN, CNA

Calipatria State Prison

Calipatria, Imperial County

Level IV (Maximum)$2,800–$3,400/wkRN, LVN, Behavioral Health

Chuckawalla Valley State Prison

Blythe, Riverside County

Level I / Level II$2,700–$3,300/wkRN, LVN, CNA

Central California Women's Facility

Chowchilla, Madera County

Level I – Level IV (All Security Levels)$2,700–$3,300/wkRN, LVN, CNA, Physical Therapist, Radiology

Wasco State Prison

Wasco, Kern County

Level I – Level IV (Reception Center)$2,900–$3,500/wkRN, LVN, CNA, Ophthalmology, Allied Health

Sierra Conservation Center

Jamestown, Tuolumne County

Level I / Level II (Conservation Camp Hub)$2,900–$3,500/wkRN, LVN, CNA

Valley State Prison

Chowchilla, Madera County

Level I – Level IV (Women's Facility)$2,700–$3,200/wkRN, LVN, CNA

Why California Correctional Nursing?

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.

Find California Correctional Jobs

Our recruiters specialize in CDCR placements and handle the full credentialing process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is correctional travel nursing?

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.

How much do correctional travel nurses make?

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.

Do I need special certifications for correctional nursing?

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.

Is correctional nursing safe?

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.

What is the difference between correctional nursing and hospital nursing?

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.

Does CatSol specialize in correctional nursing placements?

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.