Medical-Surgical Travel Nurse Pay & Jobs
Med-Surg travel nurses provide care for patients with various medical and surgical conditions, the most common travel nursing specialty.
Calculate Your Medical-Surgical Travel Nurse Pay
Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Medical-Surgical travel nurse, including cost of living analysis.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$58.89
Based on 36 hours in CA.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,120
Taxable Weekly Income
$720
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$173
True Net Weekly Pay
$1,947
Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$25,314
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$50,627
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$101,254
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Cost of Living Analysis in California
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
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.
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Average Hourly Rate
$48/hr
Average Weekly Pay
$1,920
Average Annual Pay
$99,840
Requirements for Medical-Surgical Travel Nurses
- BLS
- 1+ years Med-Surg experience
Note: Requirements may vary by facility and state. Always verify specific requirements with your travel nurse agency.
Top Cities for Medical-Surgical Travel Nurses
Huntsville, AL
Avg Pay: $47/hr
Rent: $1,000/mo
Mobile, AL
Avg Pay: $46/hr
Rent: $900/mo
Chandler, AZ
Avg Pay: $51/hr
Rent: $1,300/mo
Glendale, AZ
Avg Pay: $51/hr
Rent: $1,200/mo
Mesa, AZ
Avg Pay: $50/hr
Rent: $1,300/mo
Phoenix, AZ
Avg Pay: $51/hr
Rent: $1,400/mo
Scottsdale, AZ
Avg Pay: $53/hr
Rent: $1,700/mo
Tucson, AZ
Avg Pay: $49/hr
Rent: $1,100/mo
Anaheim, CA
Avg Pay: $58/hr
Rent: $2,100/mo
Fresno, CA
Avg Pay: $54/hr
Rent: $1,300/mo
View all city pay guides to compare pay and cost of living.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Medical-Surgical travel nurses make?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses typically earn between $43 and $58 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $48/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate typically ranges from $87-98 per hour.
What are the requirements for Medical-Surgical travel nurses?
Requirements for Medical-Surgical travel nurses typically include: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. Requirements may vary by facility and state.
What is the demand for Medical-Surgical travel nurses?
The demand for Medical-Surgical travel nurses is very high. This specialty offers excellent job opportunities and competitive pay rates.
Which states pay the most for Medical-Surgical travel nurses?
California, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, and Oregon typically offer the highest pay rates for Medical-Surgical travel nurses. However, consider cost of living when evaluating total compensation. Use our [state comparison tool](/compare-states/) to compare pay across different states.