Med-Surg Wisconsin Very High Demand

Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Wisconsin

Calculate your take-home pay as a Medical-Surgical travel nurse in Wisconsin. 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

$44/hr

Med-Surg in WI

Weekly Gross Pay

$1,760

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$91,520

Working full-time

#33

Wisconsin Med-Surg Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurse compensation

Wisconsin offers moderate Med-Surg travel nurse compensation at $44/hr (ranked #33 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

$2,859

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,302

(After 31.65% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$868/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $58/hr — $14/hr more than Wisconsin. Compare →

Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Wisconsin

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Medical-Surgical travel nurse in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate31.6%
Federal: 24%
State: 7.65%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 7.65% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$74.53

Based on 36 hours in WI.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,683

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,584

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$501

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,182

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

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$28,362

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$56,723

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$113,447

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,182

per week

Taxes

$501

per week

Total Gross: $2,683 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Wisconsin

$1,000

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$1,970

Your stipend covers rent with $1,970 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,000/month in Milwaukee:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Wisconsin

Monthly Net Income:$9,447
Average 1BR Rent:$1,000
True Discretionary Income:$8,447

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

Cost of Living Index:96.1

National average = 100. Wisconsin's cost of living is lower than the national average by 3.9 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 Wisconsin

Med-Surg travel nurses in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin

Med-Surg Certifications

  • BLS
  • 1+ years Med-Surg experience

Wisconsin Licensing

Compact State Yes
License Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in Wisconsin

Tax Information

State Income Tax 7.65%
Tax-Friendly No

Cost of Living

COL Index 96.1
vs National Avg 3.9000000000000057% lower
Housing Moderate

Top Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Wisconsin

Top Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Nurses in Wisconsin

  • Froedtert Hospital
  • UW Health
  • Aurora Health Care

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Wisconsin typically earn between $39 and $56 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $44/hr. This translates to approximately $1,760 per week or $91,520 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 Wisconsin?

To work as a Medical-Surgical travel nurse in Wisconsin, you typically need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?

The GSA per diem rates for Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin a good state for Med-Surg travel nurses?

Wisconsin has higher taxes but often offers competitive rates 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 96.1 (below national average).

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

Popular cities for Medical-Surgical travel nurse assignments in Wisconsin include: Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay. Major hospitals like Froedtert Hospital and UW 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.