Travel Nurse Salary Calculator — California
Pre-loaded with California's numbers: 13.3% state income tax, average pay of $2,200/week ($55/hr), and CA GSA stipend rates. Adjust to your offer and see real take-home.
Data reviewed July 3, 2026 · 50 states, 221 cities, FY2026 GSA rates
$2,200/wk
Avg CA Pay
13.3%
State Income Tax
~$1,568/wk
Typical Stipend Ceiling
151.7
Cost of Living Index
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
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.
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
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
$2,300
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,247
Your stipend covers rent with $2,247 left over each month.
Find apartments under $2,300/month in San Francisco:
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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.
Resources for Your Assignment
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Top-Paying California Cities
California Pay Questions
How much do travel nurses take home in California?
With the average California package of $2,200/week and 13.3% state income tax, most travel nurses take home roughly 75–85% of gross — the tax-free stipend share is what pushes take-home above staff-job ratios. Enter your actual split above for your number.
What is the maximum tax-free stipend in California?
Stipend ceilings are set per city by GSA per diem rates. Using California's average GSA rates ($150/night lodging + $74/day M&IE), the typical weekly ceiling is about $1,568. Specific cities differ — check your assignment ZIP in the GSA Rate Explorer.
Is California a good state for travel nurse pay?
California averages $2,200/week with a 13.3% state income tax and a cost-of-living index of 151.7. Whether it beats a no-tax alternative depends on the rate gap — run both offers through the calculator to compare take-home directly.
Do I pay California taxes as a travel nurse from another state?
Generally yes — you pay California income tax on money earned there, and your home state typically credits it against your home liability. You won't usually be double-taxed, but multi-state filing is why many travelers use a travel-nurse-specialized tax preparer.