Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Auburn, Alabama
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Medical-Surgical travel nurses heading to Auburn.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Med-Surg)
$37/hr
Auburn, AL
Total Weekly Package
$2,600
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,175
After ~29% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Med-Surg in Auburn
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 95
Monthly Margin
+1,970/mo
Stipend covers rent
Alabama Med-Surg Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,466
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$76,241
Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Auburn
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Auburn's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$72.53
Based on 36 hours in AL.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,611
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,512
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$438
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,173
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,243
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$56,486
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$112,971
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,173
per week
Taxes
$438
per week
Total Gross: $2,611 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Alabama
$900
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,070
Your stipend covers rent with $2,070 left over each month.
Find apartments under $900/month in Birmingham:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Alabama
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Alabama's cost of living is lower than the national average by 11.9 points.
💡 Lower cost of living area. Your pay may go further here than in expensive cities.
Housing Cost: Low
Utilities: Low
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Auburn
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Med-Surg travel nurses working in Auburn. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$98/night
$686/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,134
Tax-free stipend ceiling
Source: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA.gov) 2026 per diem rates. City-specific rates apply when the work location is more than 50 miles from your tax home.
Requirements for Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Alabama
Med-Surg Certifications Required
- BLS
- 1+ years Med-Surg experience
Alabama Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Auburn
- Auburn Regional Medical
- Auburn General Hospital
- Community Health Auburn
Other Specialties in Auburn
ICU
~$42/hr
Very HighER
~$41/hr
Very HighOR
~$43/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$40/hr
HighPACU
~$40/hr
HighNICU
~$41/hr
HighPICU
~$42/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$37/hr
ModerateOncology
~$39/hr
HighOther Alabama Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses
Decatur
~$37/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95
Dothan
~$37/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95
Huntsville
~$41/hr Med-Surg
COL: 91.5
Mobile
~$40/hr Med-Surg
COL: 85.2
Tuscaloosa
~$37/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in Auburn?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Auburn earn approximately $37/hr in taxable wages ($1,466/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,600. Annual potential is $76,241 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Auburn?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Auburn are: Lodging $98/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,134. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Auburn affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Auburn is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $1,970/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do Med-Surg travel nurses need for Alabama assignments?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. For Alabama specifically: Alabama is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Auburn without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Auburn hire Med-Surg travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Auburn that hire Medical-Surgical travel nurses include: Auburn Regional Medical, Auburn General Hospital, Community Health Auburn. Med-Surg is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Auburn actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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