Travel nursing contracts in Bakersfield, CA advertise a median of $2,754 a week, with the middle half between $2,504 and $2,991, across 28 open nursing contracts on CircleRN. These are advertised weekly totals before tax, usually including tax-free stipends; for almost all postings the figure is the top of an advertised range. Not take-home pay.
37 openings from $2,317–$3,943/week in Bakersfield, CA — Operating Room, ICU, L&D. Pay by specialty, what it costs to live there, and 17 furnished places to stay.
37 openings from $2,317–$3,943/week right now.
17 furnished rentals available for travel nurses.
Prices in Bakersfield-Delano, CA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) run at the national average overall.
| Category | Index | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 100.9 | at the national average |
| Housing | 90.3 | 10% lower |
| Utilities | 158.3 | 58% higher |
| Groceries and goods | 105.2 | 5% higher |
| Services | 100.3 | at the national average |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024, where 100 is the national average.
| Unit | Monthly | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,060 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| One bedroom | $1,060 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| Two bedroom | $1,380 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| Three bedroom | $1,930 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| Typical asking rent, all sizes | $1,908 | Zillow Observed Rent Index 2025 |
The federal ceiling on tax-free lodging reimbursement in Bakersfield is $164 per night, plus up to $74 a day for meals (GSA, FY2027). That is a maximum, not what agencies pay. Look up the exact rate for any ZIP code.
For the same specialties, Bakersfield pays about 15% above the national median, across 28 open listings. Each opening is compared with the national median for its own specialty, so the figure is not distorted by which specialties happen to be hiring here.
California is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so you need a California license to work here even if you hold a multistate license. Check your license with the compact checker.
Average weekly package (base + stipends): $2,771 based on 3 reports.
Weekly package on assignments open now, for specialties with at least three priced postings.
See all 37 openings in Bakersfield
4 hospitals in Bakersfield are hiring travel nurses, 35 openings in all. Each page lists the openings by specialty with advertised weekly pay, cost of living and housing nearby.