Travel Nurse Pay in San Diego, California: 2026 Cost of Living & GSA Rates
Economic analysis: GSA housing caps, average rent, and profitability verdict for travel nurses in San Diego.
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: San Diego Travel Nursing
GSA Housing Cap (Weekly)
$1,659/wk
≈ $7,183.47/mo
Avg Rent (1BR)
$2,200/mo
Margin
+$4,983.47/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 CA.
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 California
$2,300
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,030
Your stipend covers rent with $2,030 left over each month.
Find apartments under $2,300/month in San Francisco:
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Is this pay package fair?
Based on $2,280/week in California
Staff vs. Travel Nurse in San Diego, California
Side-by-side budget comparison for 2026. Which employment mode wins?
Staff Nurse
Weekly Gross
$1,476
Weekly Take-Home
$1,063
Annual Net (52 weeks)
$55,261
Travel Nurse
WINNERWeekly Gross (incl. stipends)
$4,313
Weekly Take-Home
$3,821
Annual Net (~48 weeks)
$183,385
Travel nursing wins by $128,124/year
That's $2,758/week difference in take-home pay
Want a detailed breakdown customized for your situation?
Travel Nurse Pay in San Diego
Average Hourly Rate
$57/hr
Average Weekly Pay
$2,280
GSA Lodging Rate
$237/night
GSA Meal Rate
$86/day
Cost of Living in San Diego
Cost of Living Index
160.1 (Above National Average)
Studio
$1950/mo
1 Bedroom
$2200/mo
2 Bedroom
$3000/mo
Top Hospitals in San Diego
- 🏥 UC San Diego Health
- 🏥 Scripps Health
- 🏥 Sharp HealthCare
Specialty Pay in San Diego
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 San Diego, California?
Travel nurses in San Diego typically earn between $52 and $67 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $57/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $66-81 per hour.
What are the GSA rates for San Diego, California?
The GSA per diem rates for San Diego are: Lodging: $237/night, Meals: $86/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 San Diego?
The cost of living index in San Diego is 160.1, which is above the national average. Average rent ranges from $1950 for a studio to $3000 for a two-bedroom apartment.
What hospitals hire travel nurses in San Diego?
Top hospitals in San Diego that frequently hire travel nurses include UC San Diego Health, Scripps Health, Sharp HealthCare, and others. These facilities offer competitive pay rates and excellent working conditions for travel nurses.
What specialties are in demand in San Diego?
The most in-demand specialties for travel nurses in San Diego include ICU, ER, OR. These specialties typically offer higher pay rates and more contract opportunities.