Cardiac Travel Nurse Salary in Athens, Georgia
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Cardiac travel nurses heading to Athens.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Cardiac)
$49/hr
Athens, GA
Total Weekly Package
$3,182
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,598
After ~29.75% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Cardiac in Athens
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,334/mo
$110/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 88.5
Monthly Margin
+2,334/mo
Stipend covers rent
Georgia Cardiac Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Cardiac travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,964
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,218
Annual Potential
$102,109
Tax estimate: 5.75% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Cardiac Pay in Athens
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Athens's GSA rates and cost of living index of 88.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 5.75% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$81.53
Based on 36 hours in GA.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,935
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,836
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$546
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,389
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$31,054
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$62,109
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$124,217
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,389
per week
Taxes
$546
per week
Total Gross: $2,935 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Georgia
$1,100
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$1,870
Your stipend covers rent with $1,870 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,100/month in Atlanta:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Georgia
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Georgia's cost of living is lower than the national average by 10.5 points.
💡 Lower cost of living area. Your pay may go further here than in expensive cities.
Housing Cost: Low
Utilities: Low
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 — Athens
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Cardiac travel nurses working in Athens. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$110/night
$770/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,218
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 Cardiac Travel Nurses in Georgia
Cardiac Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years cardiac experience
Georgia Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Cardiac Travel Nurses in Athens
- Piedmont Athens Regional
- St. Mary's Health Care
- Landmark Hospital
Other Specialties in Athens
ICU
~$50/hr
Very HighER
~$49/hr
Very HighOR
~$51/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$47/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$44/hr
Very HighPACU
~$48/hr
HighNICU
~$49/hr
HighPICU
~$50/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOther Georgia Cities for Cardiac Travel Nurses
Atlanta
~$51/hr Cardiac
COL: 108.1
Augusta
~$48/hr Cardiac
COL: 85.2
Rome
~$50/hr Cardiac
COL: 95
Savannah
~$49/hr Cardiac
COL: 90.7
Valdosta
~$50/hr Cardiac
COL: 95
Warner Robins
~$50/hr Cardiac
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Cardiac travel nurses make in Athens?
Cardiac travel nurses in Athens earn approximately $49/hr in taxable wages ($1,964/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,218/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,182. Annual potential is $102,109 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Athens?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Athens are: Lodging $110/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,218. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Athens affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Athens is 88.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,334/month, leaving a surplus of $2,334/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do Cardiac travel nurses need for Georgia assignments?
Cardiac travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years cardiac experience. For Georgia specifically: Georgia is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Athens without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Athens hire Cardiac travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Athens that hire Cardiac travel nurses include: Piedmont Athens Regional, St. Mary's Health Care, Landmark Hospital. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open Cardiac positions in Athens.
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