These countries have the highest paid nurses going into 2025

Health care professionals interested in traveling abroad for work may want to pack a jacket. The world’s highest paying country for nurses can get a bit chilly.

From Switzerland to the Virgin Islands, travel nursing has myriad opportunities. That’s also true for their paystubs. That’s why career resource outlet Nurse.org, as reported by pediatric ICU nurse Kathleen Gaines, recently compiled a list of the world’s highest paying countries for nurses.

All currencies were converted to U.S. dollars for ease of reference.

Switzerland

At an average $107,487 in yearly earnings, Switzerland pays nurses more than any other country. Travel nurses must apply for work credentials through the Swiss Red Cross.

All applicants are required to speak Italian, French or German fluently.

Luxembourg

The jobs are hard to find because of its small size, but Luxembourg has the second-highest paying nurse jobs. There, nurses earn around $98,799.

Those interested in working in Luxembourg must petition the Ministere de la Sante for an application.

Denmark

At $88,788, Denmark nurses landed third on this list. The largest challenge many U.S. nurses will face is the placement exam. It’s main component is a Danish language test.

Non-European Union citizens will need to contact the Danish Patient Safety Authority to apply.

Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands nurses earn around $84,937, but the average can shift based on the island. Travel nurses will need to complete the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools Exam, as well as a series of requirements from the Virgin Islands Board of Nurse Licensure.

Application verification can take as little as 90 days, though.

Australia

In Australia, nurses take home around $77,063 every year. It’s an English-speaking country, a huge plus for any U.S. travel nurses. Getting registered with Australia’s Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and acquiring a visa with working rights can be time consuming, however, taking an estimated four to five months.

How do these salaries compare to Georgia?

Georgia nurses get more for their time than most in the U.S., but the pay doesn’t compare to Switzerland’s offerings. Local nurses made an average $90,000 in 2023, roughly 1.46 times more money than the average Peach State worker.

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