Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Travel Nurse Pay & Jobs

PACU travel nurses care for patients recovering from anesthesia and surgery, monitoring vital signs and managing post-operative care.

Calculate Your Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Travel Nurse Pay

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit 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

Take Home
Taxes

Cost of Living Analysis in California

Monthly Net Income:$8,431
Average 1BR Rent:$2,100
True Discretionary Income:$6,331

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.

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Average Hourly Rate

$53/hr

Average Weekly Pay

$2,120

Average Annual Pay

$110,240

Requirements for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Travel Nurses

  • BLS
  • ACLS
  • 2+ years PACU experience

Note: Requirements may vary by facility and state. Always verify specific requirements with your travel nurse agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses make?

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses typically earn between $48 and $63 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $53/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate typically ranges from $92-103 per hour.

What are the requirements for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses?

Requirements for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses typically include: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years PACU experience. Requirements may vary by facility and state.

What is the demand for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses?

The demand for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses is high. This specialty offers good job opportunities and competitive pay rates.

Which states pay the most for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses?

California, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, and Oregon typically offer the highest pay rates for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses. However, consider cost of living when evaluating total compensation. Use our [state comparison tool](/compare-states/) to compare pay across different states.