Med-Surg Arizona Very High Demand

Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Arizona

Calculate your take-home pay as a Medical-Surgical travel nurse in Arizona. Med-Surg travel nurses provide care for patients with various medical and surgical conditions, the most common travel nursing specialty.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$48/hr

Med-Surg in AZ

Weekly Gross Pay

$1,920

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$99,840

Working full-time

#17

Arizona Med-Surg Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurse compensation

Arizona offers moderate Med-Surg travel nurse compensation at $48/hr (ranked #17 of 50 states). As a compact license state, you can start working quickly without additional licensing. High demand means plenty of assignment options.

Est. Weekly Gross

$3,019

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,510

(After 26.5% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$822/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $58/hr — $10/hr more than Arizona. Compare →

Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Arizona

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Medical-Surgical travel nurse in Arizona. Enter your contract details to see your true discretionary income after cost of living adjustments.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Arizona ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate26.5%
Federal: 24%
State: 2.5%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 2.5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$78.53

Based on 36 hours in AZ.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,827

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,728

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$458

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,369

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$30,798

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$61,596

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$123,192

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,369

per week

Taxes

$458

per week

Total Gross: $2,827 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Arizona

$1,200

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$1,770

Your stipend covers rent with $1,770 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,200/month in Phoenix:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Arizona

Monthly Net Income:$10,258
Average 1BR Rent:$1,200
True Discretionary Income:$9,058

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:97.2

National average = 100. Arizona's cost of living is lower than the national average by 2.8 points.

Housing Cost: Moderate

Utilities: Moderate

Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.

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GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in Arizona

Med-Surg travel nurses in Arizona receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.

Lodging

$98/night

Meals & Incidentals

$64/day

Weekly Stipend Max

$1,134

Requirements for Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Arizona

Med-Surg Certifications

  • BLS
  • 1+ years Med-Surg experience

Arizona Licensing

Compact State Yes
License Cost $300
Processing Time 2-4 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in Arizona

Tax Information

State Income Tax 2.5%
Tax-Friendly Yes

Cost of Living

COL Index 97.2
vs National Avg 2.799999999999997% lower
Housing Moderate

Top Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Arizona

Top Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Nurses in Arizona

  • Mayo Clinic Hospital
  • Banner Health
  • HonorHealth

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in Arizona?

Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Arizona typically earn between $43 and $60 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $48/hr. This translates to approximately $1,920 per week or $99,840 annually. Med-Surg nurses often earn a premium due to extremely high demand.

What are the requirements to work as a Med-Surg travel nurse in Arizona?

To work as a Medical-Surgical travel nurse in Arizona, you typically need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. Arizona is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so if you have a compact license, you can work here without additional state licensing.

What GSA rates apply for Med-Surg travel nurses in Arizona?

The GSA per diem rates for Arizona are: Lodging: $98/night, Meals: $59/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts. Med-Surg travel nurses receive the same stipend rates as other specialties—the specialty premium is reflected in the higher taxable hourly rate.

Is Arizona a good state for Med-Surg travel nurses?

Arizona is relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. Med-Surg nurses are in extremely high demand, which often leads to better pay and more assignment options. The cost of living index is 97.2 (below national average).

Which cities in Arizona have the best Med-Surg travel nurse jobs?

Popular cities for Medical-Surgical travel nurse assignments in Arizona include: Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale. Major hospitals like Mayo Clinic Hospital and Banner Health frequently hire Med-Surg travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.