Travel Nurse Pay in Tampa, Florida: 2026 Cost of Living & GSA Rates

Economic analysis: GSA housing caps, average rent, and profitability verdict for travel nurses in Tampa.

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: Tampa Travel Nursing

GSA Housing Cap (Weekly)

$1,400/wk

≈ $6,062/mo

Avg Rent (1BR)

$1,400/mo

Margin

+$4,662/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.

⚠️ Alert: Your housing stipend of $1,000/week is 41% below the highest GSA lodging ceiling for Florida ($1,708/week). You may be leaving $708/week on the table. Consider negotiating with your agency.
Effective Tax Rate13.8%
Federal income tax (2026 brackets)$44/wk
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)$55/wk
State income tax$0

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, and FL levies no wage income tax, so no state income tax return is due on these wages.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$58.89

Based on 36 hours in FL.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,120

Taxable Weekly Income

$720

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$100

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,020

Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$26,266

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$52,532

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$105,063

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,020

per week

Taxes

$100

per week

Total Gross: $2,120 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$1,000

$4,330/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Florida

$1,300

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$3,030

Your stipend covers rent with $3,030 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,300/month in Miami:

We may earn a commission if you book through our link.

Cost of Living Analysis in Florida

Monthly Net Income:$8,749
Average 1BR Rent:$1,300
True Discretionary Income:$7,449

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

Cost of Living Index:100.7

National average = 100. Florida's cost of living is higher than the national average by 0.7 points.

Housing Cost: Moderate

Utilities: Moderate

Rent figures are our own editorial estimates, not survey or listings data. Actual rent varies by neighborhood and housing type.

Resources for Your Assignment

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Is this pay package fair?

Based on $2,040/week in Florida

Comparison Battle

Staff vs. Travel Nurse in Tampa, Florida

Side-by-side budget comparison for 2026. Which employment mode wins?

Staff Nurse

Weekly Gross

$1,332

Weekly Take-Home

$959

Annual Net (52 weeks)

$49,870

Travel Nurse

WINNER

Weekly Gross (incl. stipends)

$3,796

Weekly Take-Home

$3,355

Annual Net (~48 weeks)

$161,057

Travel nursing wins by $111,187/year

That's $2,396/week difference in take-home pay

Want a detailed breakdown customized for your situation?

Travel Nurse Pay in Tampa

Average Hourly Rate

$51/hr

Average Weekly Pay

$2,040

GSA Lodging Rate

$200/night

GSA Meal Rate

$80/day

Cost of Living in Tampa

Cost of Living Index

103.2 (Above National Average)

Studio

$1200/mo

1 Bedroom

$1400/mo

2 Bedroom

$1900/mo

Top Hospitals in Tampa

  • 🏥 Tampa General Hospital
  • 🏥 Moffitt Cancer Center
  • 🏥 AdventHealth Tampa

Specialty Pay in Tampa

Estimated hourly rates for the specialties most in demand here. Click any specialty for certifications, demand and national pay detail.

See all specialties →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do travel nurses make in Tampa, Florida?

Travel nurses in Tampa typically earn between $46 and $61 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $51/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $59-74 per hour.

What are the GSA rates for Tampa, Florida?

The GSA per diem rates for Tampa are: Lodging: $200/night, Meals: $80/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 Tampa?

The cost of living index in Tampa is 103.2, which is above the national average. Average rent ranges from $1200 for a studio to $1900 for a two-bedroom apartment.

What hospitals hire travel nurses in Tampa?

Top hospitals in Tampa that frequently hire travel nurses include Tampa General Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center, AdventHealth Tampa, and others. These facilities offer competitive pay rates and excellent working conditions for travel nurses.

What specialties are in demand in Tampa?

The most in-demand specialties for travel nurses in Tampa include ICU, ER, OR. These specialties typically offer higher pay rates and more contract opportunities.

Resources for Tampa