Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in San Jose, California
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Medical-Surgical travel nurses heading to San Jose.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Med-Surg)
$52/hr
San Jose, CA
Total Weekly Package
$4,272
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$3,491
After ~37.3% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Med-Surg in San Jose
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$7,032/mo
$232/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$2,600/mo
COL index: 214.2
Monthly Margin
+4,432/mo
Stipend covers rent
California Med-Surg Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,095
Max Weekly Stipend
$2,177
Annual Potential
$108,916
Tax estimate: 13.3% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in San Jose
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for San Jose's GSA rates and cost of living index of 214.2.
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 Jose
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Med-Surg travel nurses working in San Jose. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$232/night
$1,624/week
Meals & Incidentals
$79/day
$553/week
Total Weekly Max
$2,177
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 California
Med-Surg Certifications Required
- BLS
- 1+ years Med-Surg experience
California Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Travel Nurses in San Jose
- Stanford Health Care
- El Camino Hospital
- Regional Medical Center
Other Specialties in San Jose
ICU
~$60/hr
Very HighER
~$59/hr
Very HighOR
~$61/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$57/hr
HighPACU
~$58/hr
HighNICU
~$59/hr
HighPICU
~$60/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$53/hr
ModerateOncology
~$56/hr
HighOther California Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses
Anaheim
~$51/hr Med-Surg
COL: 165.1
Fresno
~$47/hr Med-Surg
COL: 108.9
Long Beach
~$50/hr Med-Surg
COL: 156.2
Los Angeles
~$51/hr Med-Surg
COL: 173.3
Oakland
~$51/hr Med-Surg
COL: 187.4
Sacramento
~$49/hr Med-Surg
COL: 118.1
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in San Jose?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses in San Jose earn approximately $52/hr in taxable wages ($2,095/week). Including GSA stipends up to $2,177/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $4,272. Annual potential is $108,916 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for San Jose?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for San Jose are: Lodging $232/night, Meals $74/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $2,177. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is San Jose affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in San Jose is 214.2 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,600/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$7,032/month, leaving a surplus of $4,432/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do Med-Surg travel nurses need for California assignments?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. For California specifically: A separate California RN license is required. Cost: $350, processing time: 4-6 weeks.
Which hospitals in San Jose hire Med-Surg travel nurses?
Top hospitals in San Jose that hire Medical-Surgical travel nurses include: Stanford Health Care, El Camino Hospital, Regional Medical Center. Med-Surg is in very high demand nationally — facilities in San Jose actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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