Oncology California High Demand

Oncology Travel Nurse Salary in California

Calculate your take-home pay as a Oncology travel nurse in California. Oncology travel nurses care for cancer patients, administering chemotherapy and providing specialized cancer care.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$58/hr

Oncology in CA

Weekly Gross Pay

$2,310

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$120,120

Working full-time

#6

California Oncology Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Oncology travel nurse compensation

California offers moderate Oncology travel nurse compensation at $58/hr (ranked #6 of 50 states). Demand is steady for this specialty.

Est. Weekly Gross

$3,878

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$3,016

(After 37.3% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$1,083/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $61/hr — $3/hr more than California. Compare →

Calculate Your Oncology Pay in California

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Oncology travel nurse in California. 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 California ($1,050/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate37.3%
Federal: 24%
State: 13.3%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 13.3% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$98.56

Based on 36 hours in CA.

Gross Weekly Pay

$3,548

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,980

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$739

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,809

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

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$36,523

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$73,046

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$146,092

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,809

per week

Taxes

$739

per week

Total Gross: $3,548 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$1,050

$4,547/month

Est. 1BR Rent in California

$2,100

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,447

Your stipend covers rent with $2,447 left over each month.

Find apartments under $2,100/month in San Francisco:

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Cost of Living Analysis in California

Monthly Net Income:$12,165
Average 1BR Rent:$2,100
True Discretionary Income:$10,065

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

Cost of Living Index:151.7

National average = 100. California's cost of living is higher than the national average by 51.7 points.

💡 High cost of living area. Ensure your pay compensates for the increased expenses.

Housing Cost: Very High

Utilities: High

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

Resources for Your Assignment

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GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in California

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

Lodging

$150/night

Meals & Incidentals

$79/day

Weekly Stipend Max

$1,603

Requirements for Oncology Travel Nurses in California

Oncology Certifications

  • BLS
  • 2+ years oncology experience
  • OCN preferred

California Licensing

Compact State No
License Cost $350
Processing Time 4-6 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in California

Tax Information

State Income Tax 13.3%
Tax-Friendly No

Cost of Living

COL Index 151.7
vs National Avg 51.69999999999999% higher
Housing Very High

Top Hospitals Hiring Oncology Nurses in California

  • UCSF Medical Center
  • Cedars-Sinai
  • Stanford Health Care

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Oncology travel nurses make in California?

Oncology travel nurses in California typically earn between $53 and $70 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $58/hr. This translates to approximately $2,310 per week or $120,120 annually. Oncology nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

What are the requirements to work as a Oncology travel nurse in California?

To work as a Oncology travel nurse in California, you typically need: BLS, 2+ years oncology experience, OCN preferred. California is NOT part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so you'll need a separate California nursing license ($350, takes 4-6 weeks).

What GSA rates apply for Oncology travel nurses in California?

The GSA per diem rates for California are: Lodging: $150/night, Meals: $74/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts. Oncology travel nurses receive the same stipend rates as other specialties—the specialty premium is reflected in the higher taxable hourly rate.

Is California a good state for Oncology travel nurses?

California has higher taxes but often offers competitive rates for travel nurses. Oncology nursing has high demand in this state. The cost of living index is 151.7 (above national average).

Which cities in California have the best Oncology travel nurse jobs?

Popular cities for Oncology travel nurse assignments in California include: San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego. Major hospitals like UCSF Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai frequently hire Oncology 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.