PACU Travel Nurse Salary in San Francisco, California
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses heading to San Francisco.
Last updated: April 5, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PACU)
$62/hr
San Francisco, CA
Total Weekly Package
$5,085
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$4,165
After ~37.3% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PACU in San Francisco
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$8,790/mo
$290/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$3,200/mo
COL index: 197.4
Monthly Margin
+5,590/mo
Stipend covers rent
California PACU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PACU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,467
Max Weekly Stipend
$2,618
Annual Potential
$128,279
Tax estimate: 13.3% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PACU Pay in San Francisco
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for San Francisco's GSA rates and cost of living index of 197.4.
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
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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.
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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — San Francisco
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PACU travel nurses working in San Francisco. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$290/night
$2,030/week
Meals & Incidentals
$84/day
$588/week
Total Weekly Max
$2,618
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 PACU Travel Nurses in California
PACU Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years PACU experience
California Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PACU Travel Nurses in San Francisco
- UCSF Medical Center
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General
- St. Mary's Medical Center
- Kaiser Permanente SF
Other Specialties in San Francisco
ICU
~$64/hr
Very HighER
~$63/hr
Very HighOR
~$65/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$61/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$56/hr
Very HighNICU
~$63/hr
HighPICU
~$64/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$57/hr
ModerateOncology
~$59/hr
HighOther California Cities for PACU Travel Nurses
Anaheim
~$56/hr PACU
COL: 165.1
Fresno
~$52/hr PACU
COL: 108.9
Long Beach
~$55/hr PACU
COL: 156.2
Los Angeles
~$56/hr PACU
COL: 173.3
Oakland
~$57/hr PACU
COL: 187.4
Sacramento
~$54/hr PACU
COL: 118.1
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PACU travel nurses make in San Francisco?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in San Francisco earn approximately $62/hr in taxable wages ($2,467/week). Including GSA stipends up to $2,618/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $5,085. Annual potential is $128,279 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for San Francisco?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for San Francisco are: Lodging $290/night, Meals $79/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $2,618. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is San Francisco affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in San Francisco is 197.4 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $3,200/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$8,790/month, leaving a surplus of $5,590/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PACU travel nurses need for California assignments?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years PACU experience. For California specifically: A separate California RN license is required. Cost: $350, processing time: 4-6 weeks.
Which hospitals in San Francisco hire PACU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in San Francisco that hire Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses include: UCSF Medical Center, Zuckerberg San Francisco General, St. Mary's Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente SF. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PACU positions in San Francisco.
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