Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Tucson, AZ Very High Demand

CRNA Travel Nurse Salary in Tucson, Arizona

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist travel nurses heading to Tucson.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist

Verified

Avg Hourly (CRNA)

$116/hr

Tucson, AZ

Total Weekly Package

$6,110

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$4,882

After ~26.5% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: CRNA in Tucson

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$4,304/mo

$142/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,100/mo

COL index: 95.5

Monthly Margin

+3,204/mo

Stipend covers rent

#17

Arizona CRNA Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for CRNA travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$4,633

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,477

Annual Potential

$240,902

Tax estimate: 2.5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your CRNA Pay in Tucson

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Tucson's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.5.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Arizona ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate26.5%
Federal: 24%
State: 2.5%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 2.5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$78.53

Based on 36 hours in AZ.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,827

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,728

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$458

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,369

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$30,798

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$61,596

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$123,192

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,369

per week

Taxes

$458

per week

Total Gross: $2,827 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Arizona

$1,200

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$1,770

Your stipend covers rent with $1,770 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,200/month in Phoenix:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Arizona

Monthly Net Income:$10,258
Average 1BR Rent:$1,200
True Discretionary Income:$9,058

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:97.2

National average = 100. Arizona's cost of living is lower than the national average by 2.8 points.

Housing Cost: Moderate

Utilities: Moderate

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 — Tucson

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for CRNA travel nurses working in Tucson. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.

Lodging

$142/night

$994/week

Meals & Incidentals

$69/day

$483/week

Total Weekly Max

$1,477

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 CRNA Travel Nurses in Arizona

CRNA Certifications Required

  • CRNA certification (NBCRNA)
  • MSN or DNP in nurse anesthesia
  • 3+ years CRNA experience preferred
  • ACLS
  • BLS

Arizona Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $300
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 2.5%

Hospitals Hiring CRNA Travel Nurses in Tucson

  • Banner University Medical Center
  • Tucson Medical Center
  • Northwest Medical Center

Other Specialties in Tucson

View full Tucson pay guide →

Other Arizona Cities for CRNA Travel Nurses

View all Arizona cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do CRNA travel nurses make in Tucson?

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist travel nurses in Tucson earn approximately $116/hr in taxable wages ($4,633/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,477/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $6,110. Annual potential is $240,902 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Tucson?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Tucson are: Lodging $142/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,477. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.

Is Tucson affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Tucson is 95.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,100/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,304/month, leaving a surplus of $3,204/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

What certifications do CRNA travel nurses need for Arizona assignments?

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist travel nurses need: CRNA certification (NBCRNA), MSN or DNP in nurse anesthesia, 3+ years CRNA experience preferred, ACLS, BLS. For Arizona specifically: Arizona is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Tucson without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Tucson hire CRNA travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Tucson that hire Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist travel nurses include: Banner University Medical Center, Tucson Medical Center, Northwest Medical Center. CRNA is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Tucson actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.

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Resources for Tucson