PACU Travel Nurse Salary in Fort Wayne, Indiana
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses heading to Fort Wayne.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PACU)
$48/hr
Fort Wayne, IN
Total Weekly Package
$3,145
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,620
After ~27.23% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PACU in Fort Wayne
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,334/mo
$110/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$850/mo
COL index: 82.5
Monthly Margin
+2,484/mo
Stipend covers rent
Indiana PACU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PACU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,927
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,218
Annual Potential
$100,218
Tax estimate: 3.23% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PACU Pay in Fort Wayne
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Fort Wayne's GSA rates and cost of living index of 82.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 3.23% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$72.53
Based on 36 hours in IN.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,611
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,512
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$412
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,199
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,591
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$57,181
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$114,363
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,199
per week
Taxes
$412
per week
Total Gross: $2,611 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Indiana
$900
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,070
Your stipend covers rent with $2,070 left over each month.
Find apartments under $900/month in Indianapolis:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Indiana
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Indiana's cost of living is lower than the national average by 12.1 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 — Fort Wayne
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PACU travel nurses working in Fort Wayne. 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 PACU Travel Nurses in Indiana
PACU Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years PACU experience
Indiana Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PACU Travel Nurses in Fort Wayne
- Parkview Health
- Lutheran Hospital
- Dupont Hospital
Other Specialties in Fort Wayne
ICU
~$50/hr
Very HighER
~$49/hr
Very HighOR
~$51/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$47/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$44/hr
Very HighNICU
~$49/hr
HighPICU
~$50/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$46/hr
HighOther Indiana Cities for PACU Travel Nurses
Bloomington
~$47/hr PACU
COL: 88.5
Evansville
~$47/hr PACU
COL: 81.5
Lafayette
~$47/hr PACU
COL: 85.2
Muncie
~$40/hr PACU
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PACU travel nurses make in Fort Wayne?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in Fort Wayne earn approximately $48/hr in taxable wages ($1,927/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,218/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,145. Annual potential is $100,218 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Fort Wayne?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Fort Wayne is 82.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $850/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,334/month, leaving a surplus of $2,484/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PACU travel nurses need for Indiana assignments?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years PACU experience. For Indiana specifically: Indiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Fort Wayne without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Fort Wayne hire PACU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Fort Wayne that hire Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses include: Parkview Health, Lutheran Hospital, Dupont Hospital. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PACU positions in Fort Wayne.
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