Travel nurse pay varies by location, specialty, and experience. On average, travel nurses earn $40-60 per hour in taxable wages, plus tax-free stipends for housing ($800-1,500/week) and meals ($300-500/week). The blended hourly rate (including stipends) typically ranges from $50-80 per hour.

Yes, travel nurse stipends for housing, meals, and incidentals are typically tax-free if you maintain a tax home and meet IRS requirements for temporary work assignments. The stipends must be reasonable and not exceed the GSA per diem rates for your assignment location.

A blended rate is your total weekly compensation (taxable wages + tax-free stipends) divided by your weekly hours. For example, if you earn $1,800/week taxable ($50/hr × 36 hrs) plus $1,400/week in stipends, your blended rate is $88.89/hr ($3,200 ÷ 36 hours).

To calculate take-home pay: (1) Multiply hourly rate by weekly hours for taxable income, (2) Add tax-free stipends for gross weekly pay, (3) Calculate taxes on taxable portion only, (4) Subtract taxes from gross pay. Use our calculator above for an instant calculation.

GSA (General Services Administration) rates are the maximum tax-free per diem amounts the IRS allows for travel nurse stipends. These rates vary by location and are updated annually. Our calculator uses current GSA rates to help you estimate your tax-free stipend amounts. For official rates, visit [GSA.gov](https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates).

California, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, and Oregon typically offer the highest travel nurse pay rates. However, consider cost of living and state taxes when evaluating total compensation. A $3,000/week contract in Seattle may leave you with less discretionary income than a $2,500/week contract in Tulsa after accounting for rent. Use our [state-specific calculators](/travel-nurse-pay/) and [cost of living analysis](/) to compare true take-home pay across different locations.

Cost of living significantly impacts your true take-home pay. Our calculator shows your 'True Discretionary Income' (income minus average rent) so you can see how much money you'll actually have left after housing costs. A high-paying contract in an expensive city may not be better than a moderate-paying contract in an affordable area. Use our [pay calculator](/) to see cost of living analysis for your assignment location. Check out our [city pay guides](/pay/) to compare cost of living across major US cities.

A bill rate is the total amount the hospital pays the agency for your services. Our calculator includes a Reverse Bill Rate feature that estimates the total bill rate based on your pay, showing the agency margin and your percentage of the bill rate. This helps you understand if you're getting a fair share of the total compensation. Industry average agency margins are 20-25%. Use our [pay calculator](/) to see estimated bill rate breakdown.