Travel Nurse Pay in Tucson, Arizona: 2026 Cost of Living & GSA Rates
Economic analysis: GSA housing caps, average rent, and profitability verdict for travel nurses in Tucson.
Data reviewed July 3, 2026 · 50 states, 221 cities, FY2026 GSA rates
Pay and rent figures on this page are our own editorial estimates, reviewed July 31, 2026 — not survey or government wage data. How we produce these numbers.
Economics Verdict
Profitable: Tucson Travel Nursing
GSA Housing Cap (Weekly)
$1,197/wk
≈ $5,183.01/mo
Avg Rent (1BR)
$1,100/mo
Margin
+$4,083.01/mo
Stipend covers rent
How the numbers here are checked
Tax figures are computed from published IRS and SSA sources and per diem from GSA, each carrying a citation and a retrieval date; our build fails if any loses one. Pay, rent and cost-of-living figures are our own editorial estimates. This page has not been reviewed by a licensed professional — see our methodology, and consult a CPA about your own situation.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Federal tax applies to wages after the $16,100 standard deduction; FICA applies to all wages. Tax-free stipends are excluded from both.
Same-state assignment — you file one resident return in your home state.
State income tax not included
We do not yet have a sourced bracket schedule for this state, so we are not estimating its income tax. A wrong state figure is worse than none. Federal and FICA figures above are complete and sourced; your true net pay will be lower than gross by more than the amounts shown, so we are not displaying a net figure for this state.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$58.89
Based on 36 hours in AZ.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,120
Taxable Weekly Income
$720
Estimated Weekly Taxes
—
True Net Weekly Pay
—
Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
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Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
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Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
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Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
—
per week
Taxes
—
per week
Total Gross: $2,120 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$1,000
≈ $4,330/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Arizona
$1,200
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$3,130
Your stipend covers rent with $3,130 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,200/month in Phoenix:
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Is this pay package fair?
Based on $1,960/week in Arizona
Staff vs. Travel Nurse in Tucson, Arizona
Side-by-side budget comparison for 2026. Which employment mode wins?
Staff Nurse
Weekly Gross
$1,260
Weekly Take-Home
$907
Annual Net (52 weeks)
$47,174
Travel Nurse
WINNERWeekly Gross (incl. stipends)
$3,521
Weekly Take-Home
$3,098
Annual Net (~48 weeks)
$148,687
Travel nursing wins by $101,512/year
That's $2,190/week difference in take-home pay
Want a detailed breakdown customized for your situation?
Travel Nurse Pay in Tucson
Average Hourly Rate
$49/hr
Average Weekly Pay
$1,960
GSA Lodging Rate
$171/night
GSA Meal Rate
$80/day
Cost of Living in Tucson
Cost of Living Index
95.5 (Below National Average)
Studio
$950/mo
1 Bedroom
$1100/mo
2 Bedroom
$1500/mo
Top Hospitals in Tucson
- 🏥 Banner University Medical Center
- 🏥 Tucson Medical Center
- 🏥 Northwest Medical Center
Specialty Pay in Tucson
Estimated hourly rates for the specialties most in demand here. Click any specialty for certifications, demand and national pay detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel nurses make in Tucson, Arizona?
Travel nurses in Tucson typically earn between $44 and $59 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $49/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $56-71 per hour.
What are the GSA rates for Tucson, Arizona?
The GSA per diem rates for Tucson are: Lodging: $171/night, Meals: $80/day, and Incidentals: $0/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts travel nurses can receive. For official rates, visit [GSA.gov](https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates).
What is the cost of living in Tucson?
The cost of living index in Tucson is 95.5, which is below the national average. Average rent ranges from $950 for a studio to $1500 for a two-bedroom apartment.
What hospitals hire travel nurses in Tucson?
Top hospitals in Tucson that frequently hire travel nurses include Banner University Medical Center, Tucson Medical Center, Northwest Medical Center, and others. These facilities offer competitive pay rates and excellent working conditions for travel nurses.
What specialties are in demand in Tucson?
The most in-demand specialties for travel nurses in Tucson include ICU, ER, Med-Surg. These specialties typically offer higher pay rates and more contract opportunities.