PACU Utah High Demand

PACU Travel Nurse Salary in Utah

Calculate your take-home pay as a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurse in Utah. PACU travel nurses care for patients recovering from anesthesia and surgery, monitoring vital signs and managing post-operative care.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$48/hr

PACU in UT

Weekly Gross Pay

$1,926

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$100,152

Working full-time

Calculate Your PACU Pay in Utah

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurse in Utah. 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 Utah ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate28.9%
Federal: 24%
State: 4.85%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 4.85% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$75.53

Based on 36 hours in UT.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,719

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,620

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$467

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,252

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$29,271

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$58,542

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$117,085

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,252

per week

Taxes

$467

per week

Total Gross: $2,719 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Utah

$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 Salt Lake City:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Utah

Monthly Net Income:$9,750
Average 1BR Rent:$1,200
True Discretionary Income:$8,550

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

Cost of Living Index:98.3

National average = 100. Utah's cost of living is lower than the national average by 1.7 points.

Housing Cost: Moderate

Utilities: Low

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 Utah

PACU travel nurses in Utah 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 PACU Travel Nurses in Utah

PACU Certifications

  • BLS
  • ACLS
  • 2+ years PACU experience

Utah Licensing

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

Tax & Cost of Living in Utah

Tax Information

State Income Tax 4.85%
Tax-Friendly Yes

Cost of Living

COL Index 98.3
vs National Avg 1.7000000000000028% lower
Housing Moderate

Top Hospitals Hiring PACU Nurses in Utah

  • Intermountain Medical Center
  • University of Utah Hospital
  • McKay-Dee Hospital

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do PACU travel nurses make in Utah?

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in Utah typically earn between $43 and $60 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $48/hr. This translates to approximately $1,926 per week or $100,152 annually. PACU nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

What are the requirements to work as a PACU travel nurse in Utah?

To work as a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurse in Utah, you typically need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years PACU experience. Utah 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 PACU travel nurses in Utah?

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

Is Utah a good state for PACU travel nurses?

Utah is relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. PACU nursing has high demand in this state. The cost of living index is 98.3 (below national average).

Which cities in Utah have the best PACU travel nurse jobs?

Popular cities for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Utah include: Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden. Major hospitals like Intermountain Medical Center and University of Utah Hospital frequently hire PACU 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.