Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Bloomington, Illinois
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Medical-Surgical travel nurses heading to Bloomington.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Med-Surg)
$42/hr
Bloomington, IL
Total Weekly Package
$2,999
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,514
After ~28.95% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Med-Surg in Bloomington
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,637/mo
$120/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 95
Monthly Margin
+2,637/mo
Stipend covers rent
Illinois Med-Surg Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,676
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,323
Annual Potential
$87,133
Tax estimate: 4.95% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Bloomington
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Bloomington's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 4.95% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$83.78
Based on 36 hours in IL.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,016
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,728
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$500
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,516
Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.
Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$32,705
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$65,409
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$130,819
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,516
per week
Taxes
$500
per week
Total Gross: $3,016 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$840
≈ $3,637/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Illinois
$1,200
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,437
Your stipend covers rent with $2,437 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,200/month in Chicago:
Affiliate link
We may earn a commission if you book through our link.
Cost of Living Analysis in Illinois
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Illinois's cost of living is lower than the national average by 5.7 points.
Housing Cost: Moderate
Utilities: Moderate
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
Resources for Your Assignment
These are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Bloomington
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Med-Surg travel nurses working in Bloomington. 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 Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Illinois
Med-Surg Certifications Required
- BLS
- 1+ years Med-Surg experience
Illinois Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Bloomington
- Bloomington Regional Medical
- Bloomington General Hospital
- Community Health Bloomington
Other Specialties in Bloomington
ICU
~$48/hr
Very HighER
~$47/hr
Very HighOR
~$49/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$45/hr
HighPACU
~$46/hr
HighNICU
~$47/hr
HighPICU
~$48/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$43/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/hr
HighOther Illinois Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses
Champaign
~$42/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95
Chicago
~$45/hr Med-Surg
COL: 106.9
Elgin
~$45/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95.5
Normal
~$42/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95
Rockford
~$45/hr Med-Surg
COL: 82.3
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in Bloomington?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Bloomington earn approximately $42/hr in taxable wages ($1,676/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,999. Annual potential is $87,133 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Bloomington?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Bloomington 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 Bloomington affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Bloomington is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,637/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do Med-Surg travel nurses need for Illinois assignments?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. For Illinois specifically: A separate Illinois RN license is required. Cost: $200, processing time: 4-6 weeks.
Which hospitals in Bloomington hire Med-Surg travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Bloomington that hire Medical-Surgical travel nurses include: Bloomington Regional Medical, Bloomington General Hospital, Community Health Bloomington. Med-Surg is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Bloomington actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
Looking for a contract?
Get matched with top-paying recruiters in your desired state.