One of the many reasons healthcare professionals like RNs search for travel nurse jobs is that it brings the opportunity to explore new and exciting destinations. Each assignment is like another adventure, with all sorts of sights and attractions to explore, different foods to taste, new people to meet, and often, the chance to pick up some new skills along the way.

One of the biggest questions when it comes to searching for travel jobs in healthcare, or any other industry, is which destinations to consider. While everyone has their own unique desires, interests, and goals, these are some of the top cities for finding travel nurse and allied healthcare professional positions. From CNA jobs and surgical tech jobs to RN travel jobs, and physician assistant jobs, there’s something for nearly every healthcare-related position in these destinations.

Richmond, Virginia

Richmond is home to over 20 medical and surgical hospitals while employing more than 40,000 healthcare professionals. Travel nursing jobs are often available in numerous specialties. NICU nurse jobs, cardiac nurse jobs, and emergency medicine jobs are just a few.

The cultural and historical attractions draw many here, with Richmond renowned for its links to the Civil War. There are lots of ways to explore it, including the American Civil War Museum. The Edgar Allan Poe Museum covers the life and work of the author with displays that include his furniture, clothing, letters, manuscripts, and even a lock of hair taken after his death in 1849. For more contemporary offerings, art lovers can marvel at some 35,000 works in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

If you like good food, there’s plenty, with Richmond often noted for its thriving culinary scene. Those who land any one of the RN travel jobs or other healthcare positions here should consider taking a food tour soon after arrival to discover some of the top spots.

Roanoke, Virginia

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke offers more outstanding opportunities in Virginia. The cultural and commercial hub of the southwestern part of the state, it’s also home to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, one of the largest in the state. You might work in the telemetry unit, as a pediatric nurse, or one of many other RN travel jobs, in addition to travel occupational jobs, radiology tech jobs, and more.

In between shifts, enjoy recreational activities paddling, fishing, and hiking and biking with an extensive network of trails, including the Appalachian Trail that runs through the city. Or, explore impressive public art, visit museums, browse unique shops, sample the offerings at craft breweries, and dine at an array of eateries with a focus on classic comfort foods and Southern cuisine.

Asheville, North Carolina

A bit further south, Asheville will also put you in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Reputable hospitals like Asheville VA Medical Center and Mission Hospital consistently seek skilled nurses and other healthcare travelers. If you’re looking to increase your surgical tech salary while enjoying the benefits of a travel job or want to give your career in PACU a boost, Asheville can be a great place to do it.

This North Carolina town has not only become a hotspot for travel jobs, it offers a small-town feel and big-city attractions. While it was affected by Hurricane Helene in 2024, most attractions and businesses have reopened. There are new collaborative art spaces and restaurants to enjoy along with the renowned galleries, restaurants, and live music venues that have long attracted locals and visitors alike.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

There are a dozen hospitals and primary medical facilities in the greater Winston-Salem area. If you’ve been searching “registered nurse jobs near me” and have come up empty, this is another great destination to consider for starting a new travel nursing career. Just a few of the recent needs here for healthcare travelers have included cardiac cath lab RNs, OR, med-surg, and PC nurses.

There’s so much to look forward to when you aren’t working in Winston-Salem too. It’s renowned for its vibrant arts scene, centuries-old landmarks, lush gardens, and numerous culinary delights. Enjoy live performances, sample a diverse range of dining venues, and take advantage of the opportunities for picturesque walks. You might stroll through parks and gardens, the Downtown North Historic District with its magnificent architecture, or along scenic trails.

Charleston, South Carolina

Often ranked among the best places to live and visit in the country, Charleston overflows with Southern charm, home to a downtown area with cobbled streets and grand historic mansions, art galleries, unique shops, restaurants serving mouthwatering Low Country cuisine, and buzzing nightlife. Nearby there are beautiful beaches like Folly where one can fish, learn to surf, kayak, paddleboard, or charter a sailboat and watch the dolphins play in their natural habitat. Like golf? There are many world-class golf courses too.

With the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in Charleston along with emergency rooms, cancer care facilities, heart and vascular centers, and much more, the offerings for travel jobs through a healthcare staffing agency are numerous. There are many RN jobs in PICU units and med-surg along with physical therapy jobs and radiology tech jobs just to name a few.

Dallas, Texas

If you’re a nurse or working in nearly any healthcare position and looking into travel jobs, Dallas is big on just about everything, including its attractive salaries. Travel CNA jobs, EKG tech jobs, respiratory care therapist jobs, LPN, RN, and other roles available in this city offer competitive pay that often exceeds the national average for healthcare professionals.

Plus, Dallas offers something for everyone from pro sports and cowboy culture to botanical gardens, world-class museums, and an incredible food scene with more than 9,000 restaurants to choose from. Name it and odds are, you’ll find it here.

Austin, Texas

Many cities in Texas beyond Dallas have been attracting healthcare professionals looking for higher salaries, a lower cost of living, and plenty to do. Consider yourself lucky if you can secure a contract in Austin with everything from cardiology jobs to oncology jobs, EEG tech jobs, and dialysis tech jobs. No matter what the pay, your dollar will go farther here, allowing you to enjoy the many attractions and perhaps stash quite a bit of cash away.

Some of the favorite things to do in the so-called “Live Musical Capital of the World,” include catching live performances any night of the week, hiking and biking the over 351-acre Zilker Metropolitan Park, and dining on some of the world’s best BBQ.

Nashville, Tennessee

Those looking for RN travel jobs and other travel positions in a wide range of healthcare roles from CT jobs to medical director jobs might also consider packing up those scrubs and heading to Nashville. Lying along the Cumberland River, the Tennessee capital offers a mild climate while being an enjoyable place to live, work, and play.

While Nashville may be most famous for its live music scene that goes well beyond country, there are attractions for everyone here. Explore historical landmarks, art and science museums, shop ’til you drop, and take advantage of the beautiful outdoors. With several state parks that can be accessed within a short drive, you’ll find many scenic hiking trails along with opportunities to get out on the water.

Wichita, Kansas

The Greater Wichita Region is home to two national healthcare systems: Ascension Health and HCA, which include the largest hospitals and clinics in Kansas. Whether you’re looking for emergency medicine physician travel jobs, RN and LPN positions in med-surg, the ICU, surgical care, or almost anything else there’s a good chance you’ll find an availability here. Salaries vary by specialty and experience, but the lower than national average cost of living can make Wichita an ideal destination for those looking to save.

This south-central Kansas city offers theater, comedy, live music venues, and a surprisingly diverse food scene. There are hundreds of casual and fine dining eateries with everything from Argentinian and Italian to French, Chinese, and even Caribbean. Old Town Wichita also serves as the entertainment district with more than 100 shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs. If you’re into history, discover the days of the Wild West in multiple museums.

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to travel healthcare assignments and things to do in Chicago. The Windy City offers above average pay for travel nurses and many other positions, including surgical technologist jobs. Whether your specialty is in pediatrics, intensive care, labor and delivery, or any number of specialties in between, the assignments are abundant here.

In between shifts, you might stroll Michigan Avenue, known as the “Magnificent Mile,” to browse the countless shops, dine, and soak up the scene. From the John Hancock Building, a thousand feet above you’ll enjoy a 360-degree view of Lake Michigan. Chicago boasts one of the liveliest art scenes in the country, impressive architecture, a wide range of entertainment at the Navy Pier, the 20-mile-long Lakefront Trail, pro sports, rich history, and plenty of tasty eats, including the classic deep-dish pizza.

Springfield, Illinois

While Chicago is one of Illinois’ most popular destinations, the capital of Springfield is a hotspot for healthcare travelers with lots to see and do in between working your shifts. Travel respiratory therapist jobs, patient care jobs, nursing jobs, and travel positions for CNAs are just a few of the possibilities here.

In your off time, you can melt stress away by strolling through the Washington Park Botanical Garden, touring the French-Renaissance State Capitol building with its elaborate stained-glass dome, exploring the life of Abraham Lincoln at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Lincoln Home National Historic Site, and even catch a movie at the Route 66 Drive-In, one of the few still in existence in the country. When you’re looking for more, it’s easy to reach Chicago by Amtrak with multiple trips daily.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Indiana became a compact license state on July 1, 2020, allowing travel nurses to more easily take advantage of the healthcare assignments in the state, including Indianapolis. But everything from dialysis tech jobs to EEG tech jobs can be found here too. The city provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy a low cost of living while earning a good salary and enjoying a surprising number of things to do.

Sports fans will love Indianapolis, home to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where the Indianapolis 500, the largest single-day sporting event in the world, takes place. The home stadium for the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium, is here too and it also hosts frequent live concerts. White River State Park is where you’ll find the Indianapolis Zoo which also has an aquarium and botanical garden, while the Mass Ave Arts District is jam-packed with quirky shops, art galleries, theaters, and restaurants as the city’s cultural hub.

Evansville, Indiana

Located on the Ohio River, Evansville is Indiana’s third-largest city offering plenty of healthcare travelers of all types. There are 11 hospitals and primary care medical facilities here with travel jobs for techs, LPNs, RNs, and more. Cath labs, telemetry, and med surg units are among the few here seeking travelers to fill their needs.

There are some fantastic attractions here to discover with Evansville home to the Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden, the Museum of Art, History & Science, and the country’s most well-preserved site of prehistoric Native American culture: the riverside Angel Mounds State Historic Site.

Des Moines, Iowa

Tucked along the Des Moines River in the south-central region, Des Moines is Iowa’s capital and largest city. Healthcare travelers will appreciate the balance of safety, affordability, and numerous attractions. It’s also home to multiple hospitals and medical facilities, including Mercy Medical Center, frequently ranked among the best hospitals in the state. Whether you’re searching for RN jobs, LPN jobs, or tech jobs in a variety of specialties you’re likely to find a fit here.

When you aren’t working, there are hundreds of miles of biking trails to pedal and countless others for walking or jogging. Gray’s Lake Park is just southwest of downtown, home to a lake with boat rentals and a designated beach area for summer swims while a nearly 2-mile-long surrounding it. One of the country’s best local farmer’s markets is held at the Downtown Historic Court with farmers and various vendors from over 50 Iowa counties selling fresh produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, and handcrafted items to browse while enjoying live entertainment.

Rapid City, South Dakota

Rapid City may be the second-largest city in South Dakota, but its population is relatively small at under 80,000. Those who accept travel nursing jobs here often find it hard to leave upon discovering an ideal work-life balance with big-city amenities yet the cost of living is low and outdoor adventures are many. Your labor and delivery nurse salary (and salaries for everyone from ER nurses and cardiac sonographers to anesthesia techs) will go a long way here, allowing you to take advantage of the beauty and numerous attractions.

Located at the eastern edge of the Black Hills National Forest, Rapid City is just minutes from world-class hiking and mountain biking, several fascinating caves, Mount Rushmore, and Custer State Park, one of the largest in the U.S., with lakes, trails, and abundant wildlife. Plus, downtown offers many places to socialize with a fantastic coffeehouse, pub, and live music scene.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

New Mexico’s largest city, Albuquerque is renowned for its abundant sunshine (and being the setting for the hit series “Breaking Bad”) while offering something for just about everyone when it comes to travel careers in healthcare and things to see and do. With salaries relatively high and the cost of living lower than the national average, those who want to enjoy the beauty of the American Southwest should put this city at the top of their lists to consider.

Diverse and charmingly quirky, Albuquerque lies along the Rio Grande with snow-capped mountains in the distance. Colorful hot-air balloons frequently fill the morning skies while downtown offers intriguing museums, art galleries, farmer’s markets, and a vibrant microbrewery scene. Old Town Plaza, the historic district, fills 10 blocks with shops, cafes, restaurants, and the 18th-century San Felipe de Neri Church.

Tucson, Arizona

Tucson also boasts a cost of living significantly lower than the national average and has often been named among the country’s best places to live. Less than a two-hour drive from Phoenix, it’s ideal for healthcare professionals who want to maximize earnings while enjoying a variety of activities and attractions. From the ICU to med-surg and telemetry, there are typically many travel nurse jobs, positions for techs, therapists, and more.

As one of the sunniest cities in the country, you can spend lots of time outdoors when not at work. Saguaro National Park is just a short drive from downtown and there are many other places to hike and mountain bike. From Kit Peak National Observatory, high above the Sonoran Desert, you can marvel at some of the most incredible night skies via the Nightly Observing Program at the visitor center. The downtown area is lots of fun to spend time in with frequent cultural celebrations, unique boutiques, excellent local dining, and buzzing nightlife.