Travel Nursing in San Francisco, CA

47 openings from $2,315–$3,655/week in San Francisco, CA — Oncology, ICU, Rehab. Pay by specialty, what it costs to live there, and 6 furnished places to stay.

47 openings from $2,315–$3,655/week right now.

Housing in San Francisco

6 furnished rentals available for travel nurses.

Browse San Francisco housing

Cost of living in San Francisco

Prices in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) run 16% higher overall.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024, where 100 is the national average.

Rent in San Francisco

The federal ceiling on tax-free lodging reimbursement in San Francisco is $259–$272 per night, plus up to $92 a day for meals (GSA, FY2026). That is a maximum, not what agencies pay.

How San Francisco pay compares

For the same specialties, San Francisco pays about 15% above the national median, across 38 open listings. Once local prices are counted, that is worth about 0%. 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.

Licensing

California is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so you need a California license to work here even if you hold a multistate license.

Pay in CA

Average weekly package (base + stipends): $2,771 based on 3 reports.

View CA pay data

Open assignments in San Francisco

• Oncology RN — $2,608/week
• ICU RN — $2,966/week
• Rehab RN — $2,772/week
• Emergency Room RN — $2,611/week
• PACU RN — $2,672/week
• Med-Surg RN — $2,454/week
• Cath Lab RN — $3,655/week
• Peds - Emergency Room RN — $2,470/week

What San Francisco pays by specialty

Weekly package on assignments open now, for specialties with at least three priced postings.

• Emergency Room — $2,611/week median ($2,611–$2,794), 10 open
• ICU — $2,725/week median ($2,623–$2,966), 7 open
• PACU — $2,829/week median ($2,672–$2,942), 5 open
• Operating Room — $2,938/week median ($2,776–$3,425), 4 open
• Oncology — $2,608/week median ($2,315–$2,718), 3 open

See all 47 openings in San Francisco

Hospitals hiring in San Francisco

5 hospitals in San Francisco are hiring travel nurses, 28 openings in all. Each page lists the openings by specialty with advertised weekly pay, cost of living and housing nearby.

• California Pacific Medical Center- Van Ness Campus — 9 open · median $3,126/week advertised · 274 beds · 4.5★ (1)
• St Mary's Medical Center — 9 open · median $2,611/week advertised · 110 beds
• Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Francisco — 4 open · median $2,817/week advertised · 239 beds
• Saint Francis Memorial Hospital — 4 open · median $2,611/week advertised · 239 beds
• California Pacific Medical Center-davies Campus Hospital — 2 open · median $2,759/week advertised · 105 beds

Other cities in California

• San Leandro — 162 openings
• Sacramento — 114 openings
• Modesto — 105 openings
• Oakland — 79 openings
• Los Angeles — 77 openings
• Roseville — 65 openings
• San Diego — 63 openings
• Antioch — 56 openings

Resources

• Travel nursing in California
• Travel nursing by state
• Hospitals in San Francisco
• Housing across California
• Travel Nurse Housing Guide
• Travel Nurse Pay Explained
• Pay Calculator

Common questions

How much do travel nurses make in San Francisco, CA?

Open assignments in San Francisco run $2,315 to $3,655 a week. Operating Room is highest at $2,938; Oncology lowest at $2,608.

Do I need a California nursing license?

California is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so you need a California license to work here even if you hold a multistate license.

Is San Francisco expensive for travel nurses?

Against the national average, San Francisco runs housing 95% above, utilities 73% above, groceries and goods 8% above and services 6% above. (BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024, where 100 is the national average.)

What is rent for a travel nurse in San Francisco?

The market rate for a one-bedroom in San Francisco is $2,680 a month (HUD Fair Market Rent, 2025, utilities included). CircleRN lists 6 furnished places here.

How much of a travel nurse package is tax-free in San Francisco?

The federal ceiling on untaxed lodging in San Francisco is $259–$272 a night, plus up to $92 a day for meals (GSA, FY2026). That is a maximum, not what agencies pay, and stipends are only untaxed while you maintain a permanent tax home elsewhere.