Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Iowa City, Iowa
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Medical-Surgical travel nurses heading to Iowa City.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Med-Surg)
$45/hr
Iowa City, IA
Total Weekly Package
$2,998
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,419
After ~32.53% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Med-Surg in Iowa City
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,334/mo
$110/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,150/mo
COL index: 95.5
Monthly Margin
+2,184/mo
Stipend covers rent
Iowa Med-Surg Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,780
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,218
Annual Potential
$92,579
Tax estimate: 8.53% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Iowa City
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Iowa City'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 8.53% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$70.53
Based on 36 hours in IA.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,539
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,440
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$468
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,071
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$26,917
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$53,835
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$107,670
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,071
per week
Taxes
$468
per week
Total Gross: $2,539 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Iowa
$800
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,170
Your stipend covers rent with $2,170 left over each month.
Find apartments under $800/month in Des Moines:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Iowa
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Iowa's cost of living is lower than the national average by 10.9 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 — Iowa City
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Med-Surg travel nurses working in Iowa City. 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 Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Iowa
Med-Surg Certifications Required
- BLS
- 1+ years Med-Surg experience
Iowa Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Iowa City
- UI Hospitals & Clinics
- Mercy Iowa City
- VA Iowa City
Other Specialties in Iowa City
ICU
~$51/hr
Very HighER
~$50/hr
Very HighOR
~$52/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$48/hr
HighPACU
~$49/hr
HighNICU
~$50/hr
HighPICU
~$51/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$47/hr
HighOther Iowa Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses
View all Iowa cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in Iowa City?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Iowa City earn approximately $45/hr in taxable wages ($1,780/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,218/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,998. Annual potential is $92,579 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Iowa City?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Iowa City 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 Iowa City affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Iowa City is 95.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,150/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,334/month, leaving a surplus of $2,184/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do Med-Surg travel nurses need for Iowa assignments?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. For Iowa specifically: Iowa is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Iowa City without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Iowa City hire Med-Surg travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Iowa City that hire Medical-Surgical travel nurses include: UI Hospitals & Clinics, Mercy Iowa City, VA Iowa City. Med-Surg is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Iowa City actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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