Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Pennsylvania
Calculate your take-home pay as a Medical-Surgical travel nurse in Pennsylvania. 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 PA
Weekly Gross Pay
$1,920
Before taxes
Annual Potential
$99,840
Working full-time
Pennsylvania Med-Surg Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurse compensation
Pennsylvania offers moderate Med-Surg travel nurse compensation at $48/hr (ranked #22 of 50 states). High demand means plenty of assignment options.
Est. Weekly Gross
$3,208
(Taxable + Stipends)
Est. Weekly Net
$2,688
(After 27.07% est. tax)
Stipend vs Housing
+$1,034/wk
(Surplus or deficit)
Hawaii leads at $58/hr — $10/hr more than Pennsylvania. Compare →
Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Pennsylvania
Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Medical-Surgical travel nurse in Pennsylvania. 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.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 3.07% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$83.78
Based on 36 hours in PA.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,016
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,728
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$468
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,548
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$33,127
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$66,254
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$132,508
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,548
per week
Taxes
$468
per week
Total Gross: $3,016 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$840
≈ $3,637/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Pennsylvania
$1,100
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,537
Your stipend covers rent with $2,537 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,100/month in Philadelphia:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Pennsylvania
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Pennsylvania's cost of living is higher than the national average by 0.3 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 Pennsylvania
Med-Surg travel nurses in Pennsylvania receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.
Lodging
$120/night
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
Weekly Stipend Max
$1,323
Requirements for Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Pennsylvania
Med-Surg Certifications
- BLS
- 1+ years Med-Surg experience
Pennsylvania Licensing
Tax & Cost of Living in Pennsylvania
Tax Information
Cost of Living
Top Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Pennsylvania
Top Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Nurses in Pennsylvania
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- UPMC Presbyterian
- Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in Pennsylvania?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
To work as a Medical-Surgical travel nurse in Pennsylvania, you typically need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. Pennsylvania is NOT part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so you'll need a separate Pennsylvania nursing license ($200, takes 4-6 weeks).
What GSA rates apply for Med-Surg travel nurses in Pennsylvania?
The GSA per diem rates for Pennsylvania are: Lodging: $120/night, Meals: $64/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 Pennsylvania a good state for Med-Surg travel nurses?
Pennsylvania 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 100.3 (above national average).
Which cities in Pennsylvania have the best Med-Surg travel nurse jobs?
Popular cities for Medical-Surgical travel nurse assignments in Pennsylvania include: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown. Major hospitals like Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and UPMC Presbyterian frequently hire Med-Surg travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.