PACU Travel Nurse Salary in Grand Junction, Colorado
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses heading to Grand Junction.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PACU)
$49/hr
Grand Junction, CO
Total Weekly Package
$3,289
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,731
After ~28.4% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PACU in Grand Junction
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,637/mo
$120/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,150/mo
COL index: 95.5
Monthly Margin
+2,487/mo
Stipend covers rent
Colorado PACU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PACU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,966
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,323
Annual Potential
$102,223
Tax estimate: 4.4% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PACU Pay in Grand Junction
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Grand Junction'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.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 4.4% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$85.78
Based on 36 hours in CO.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,088
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,800
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$511
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,577
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$33,498
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$66,997
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$133,994
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,577
per week
Taxes
$511
per week
Total Gross: $3,088 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$840
≈ $3,637/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Colorado
$1,400
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,237
Your stipend covers rent with $2,237 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,400/month in Denver:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Colorado
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Colorado's cost of living is higher than the national average by 5.1 points.
Housing Cost: High
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 — Grand Junction
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PACU travel nurses working in Grand Junction. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$120/night
$840/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,323
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 Colorado
PACU Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years PACU experience
Colorado Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PACU Travel Nurses in Grand Junction
- Intermountain Health
- Community Hospital
- St. Mary's Medical
Other Specialties in Grand Junction
ICU
~$51/hr
Very HighER
~$50/hr
Very HighOR
~$52/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$48/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$45/hr
Very HighNICU
~$50/hr
HighPICU
~$51/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$47/hr
HighOther Colorado Cities for PACU Travel Nurses
Aurora
~$52/hr PACU
COL: 115.5
Colorado Springs
~$49/hr PACU
COL: 98.2
Denver
~$52/hr PACU
COL: 128.7
Durango
~$49/hr PACU
COL: 108.5
Fort Collins
~$51/hr PACU
COL: 108.5
Greeley
~$48/hr PACU
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PACU travel nurses make in Grand Junction?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in Grand Junction earn approximately $49/hr in taxable wages ($1,966/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,289. Annual potential is $102,223 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Grand Junction?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Grand Junction are: Lodging $120/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,323. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Grand Junction affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Grand Junction is 95.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,150/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,487/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PACU travel nurses need for Colorado assignments?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years PACU experience. For Colorado specifically: Colorado is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Grand Junction without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Grand Junction hire PACU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Grand Junction that hire Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses include: Intermountain Health, Community Hospital, St. Mary's Medical. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PACU positions in Grand Junction.
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