Do I need a Arizona license to take a contract in Arizona?

Arizona is an NLC compact state. High winter demand drives premium crisis-rate contracts from November through March. If your home state is also a compact state, your multistate RN license is valid for Arizona contracts on day one.

How does blended (taxable + stipend) pay work?

A standard travel package combines a taxable hourly rate with tax-free housing and meal stipends, provided you maintain a permanent tax home. The weekly totals shown here are blended — what hits your bank account before federal/state income tax on the hourly portion.

Is housing arranged or do I find my own?

Most travelers take the stipend and arrange housing (Furnished Finder, Airbnb monthly, extended-stay hotels). Company-arranged housing is available but typically reduces your weekly take-home.

What happens between contracts?

Most travelers line up the next contract 2–4 weeks before the current one ends. There's no employer-paid PTO — you build your own buffer. Some travelers take planned 1–2 week breaks between assignments.

What's the cost of living like in Arizona?

Arizona is roughly at the national cost of living (~103%). Stipends comfortably cover most housing markets across the state.

How do I choose the right agency?

Compare pay packages line by line (hourly + stipend + benefits + reimbursements), not just the headline weekly number. Ask about cancellation policy, guaranteed hours, and whether your recruiter stays with you for the full assignment.

Staffing · AZ

Travel Nurses in Arizona

298+ open travel nurses contracts across Arizona — averaging $2,550/week blended, with 5 top-rated agencies competing for your assignment.

Browse open contracts Talk to a recruiter

298+
Open contracts
$2,550
Avg weekly (blended)
5
Top agencies
Yes
Compact license

State overview

Why travel nurses choose Arizona

Travel RNs in Arizona fill 13-week assignments at trauma centers, academic systems, and community hospitals — blending taxable hourly pay with tax-free housing and meal stipends.

Arizona is an NLC compact state. High winter demand drives premium crisis-rate contracts from November through March. Top demand metros: Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Scottsdale.

Open contracts

Travel Nurses contracts in Arizona

A snapshot of active assignments across the state. Sample data shown — recruiter sees live inventory.

Facility	City	Specialty	Length	Shift	Weekly	Start
Memorial Medical Center Level I Trauma	Phoenix, AZ	ICU	8 weeks	Nights 3x12	$2,600	Starts in ~1 week
St. Luke's Regional Academic Medical	Tucson, AZ	ER	13 weeks	Days 3x12	$2,725	Starts in ~2 weeks
University Health Community Hospital	Mesa, AZ	Med-Surg	26 weeks	Rotating 3x12	$2,275	Starts in ~3 weeks
Mercy General LTAC	Scottsdale, AZ	L&D	8 weeks	Mid 4x10	$2,400	Starts in ~4 weeks
Mountain View Hospital Level I Trauma	Phoenix, AZ	OR	13 weeks	Nights 3x12	$2,550	Starts in ~5 weeks
Coastal Regional Medical Academic Medical	Tucson, AZ	PCU	26 weeks	Days 3x12	$2,675	Starts in ~1 week
Northside Trauma Center Community Hospital	Mesa, AZ	Tele	8 weeks	Rotating 3x12	$2,825	Starts in ~2 weeks
Riverside Community Hospital LTAC	Scottsdale, AZ	PICU	13 weeks	Mid 4x10	$2,350	Starts in ~3 weeks

Memorial Medical Center

$2,600/wk

Level I Trauma · Phoenix, AZ

ICU8 weeksNights 3x12Starts in ~1 week

St. Luke's Regional

$2,725/wk

Academic Medical · Tucson, AZ

ER13 weeksDays 3x12Starts in ~2 weeks

University Health

$2,275/wk

Community Hospital · Mesa, AZ

Med-Surg26 weeksRotating 3x12Starts in ~3 weeks

Mercy General

$2,400/wk

LTAC · Scottsdale, AZ

L&D8 weeksMid 4x10Starts in ~4 weeks

Mountain View Hospital

$2,550/wk

Level I Trauma · Phoenix, AZ

OR13 weeksNights 3x12Starts in ~5 weeks

Coastal Regional Medical

$2,675/wk

Academic Medical · Tucson, AZ

PCU26 weeksDays 3x12Starts in ~1 week

Northside Trauma Center

$2,825/wk

Community Hospital · Mesa, AZ

Tele8 weeksRotating 3x12Starts in ~2 weeks

Riverside Community Hospital

$2,350/wk

LTAC · Scottsdale, AZ

PICU13 weeksMid 4x10Starts in ~3 weeks

Pay ranges

Travel Nurse salary in Arizona

Blended weekly = taxable hourly + tax-free housing/meal stipends. Annual assumes 48 contracted weeks.

Specialty	Weekly (blended)	Annualized
ICU	$2,075 – $2,875	$99,600 – $138,000
ER	$2,150 – $2,950	$103,200 – $141,600
Med-Surg	$2,250 – $3,050	$108,000 – $146,400
L&D	$2,350 – $3,150	$112,800 – $151,200
OR	$2,425 – $3,225	$116,400 – $154,800

Cost-of-living adjusted to Arizona's index of ~103% of the national baseline.

Facility types

Where you'll work

The same role pays and feels different depending on the facility type.

Level I Trauma Centers

Highest-acuity emergency, surgical, and ICU work. Premium pay, intense pace, top-tier learning.

Academic Medical Centers

Teaching hospitals affiliated with medical schools. Complex cases, multidisciplinary teams, EHR-mature.

Community Hospitals

Mid-size facilities serving regional populations. Balanced acuity and steady, predictable schedules.

Long-Term Acute Care (LTAC)

Extended-stay medical units for medically complex patients — vent weaning, complex wound care, long IV courses.

Skilled Nursing Facilities

Post-acute rehab and long-term care. Strong demand for therapists, LPNs, and per diem RNs.

Outpatient & Ambulatory

Surgery centers, infusion clinics, and specialty outpatient practices. Daytime hours, predictable schedules.

Credentials

Required certifications

The baseline credentials for travel nurses working in Arizona. Most agencies cover renewal fees for active travelers.

RN License
BLS
ACLS
PALS
NIHSS
CCRN (preferred)

Recruiter network

Top-rated agencies for this market

Independent ratings from working travelers. Sample illustrative data — your recruiter sees live inventory.

Vivian Health

4.7(12,400)

Response: Under 4 hrs

Travel RNAlliedPer diem

Transparent pay packages, no negotiations

Aya Healthcare

4.6(9,800)

Response: Same day

Travel RNCrisis

Largest contract inventory in the country

Cross Country Healthcare

4.5(7,200)

Response: Same day

Travel RNLocum

Day-one health benefits, 401k match

Medical Solutions

4.8(6,400)

Response: Under 2 hrs

Travel RNAllied

Dedicated recruiter for the full assignment

Trusted Health

4.7(4,100)

Response: Under 6 hrs

Travel RNICU/ER

Self-service job search, transparent stipends

Frequently asked

Travel Nurses in Arizona: common questions

Same role, other states

Travel Nurses in Texas Travel Nurses in California Travel Nurses in Florida Travel Nurses in New York Travel Nurses in Washington

Other roles in Arizona

Travel Allied Health in Arizona Per Diem Nurses in Arizona Locum Tenens in Arizona

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