OR Travel Nurse Salary in Topeka, Kansas
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Operating Room travel nurses heading to Topeka.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (OR)
$42/hr
Topeka, KS
Total Weekly Package
$2,804
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,308
After ~29.7% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: OR in Topeka
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 95
Monthly Margin
+1,970/mo
Stipend covers rent
Kansas OR Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for OR travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,670
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$86,831
Tax estimate: 5.7% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your OR Pay in Topeka
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Topeka'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 5.7% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$71.53
Based on 36 hours in KS.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,575
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,476
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$438
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,137
Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.
Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$27,776
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$55,552
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$111,105
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,137
per week
Taxes
$438
per week
Total Gross: $2,575 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Kansas
$850
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,120
Your stipend covers rent with $2,120 left over each month.
Find apartments under $850/month in Wichita:
Affiliate link
We may earn a commission if you book through our link.
Cost of Living Analysis in Kansas
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Kansas's cost of living is lower than the national average by 13.5 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.
Resources for Your Assignment
These are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Topeka
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for OR travel nurses working in Topeka. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$98/night
$686/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,134
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 OR Travel Nurses in Kansas
OR Certifications Required
- BLS
- 2+ years OR experience
- CNOR preferred
Kansas Licensing
Hospitals Hiring OR Travel Nurses in Topeka
- Topeka Regional Medical
- Topeka General Hospital
- Community Health Topeka
Other Specialties in Topeka
ICU
~$41/hr
Very HighER
~$40/hr
Very HighLabor & Delivery
~$39/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$36/hr
Very HighPACU
~$40/hr
HighNICU
~$40/hr
HighPICU
~$41/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$37/hr
ModerateOncology
~$38/hr
HighOther Kansas Cities for OR Travel Nurses
View all Kansas cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do OR travel nurses make in Topeka?
Operating Room travel nurses in Topeka earn approximately $42/hr in taxable wages ($1,670/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,804. Annual potential is $86,831 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Topeka?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Topeka are: Lodging $98/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,134. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Topeka affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Topeka is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $1,970/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do OR travel nurses need for Kansas assignments?
Operating Room travel nurses need: BLS, 2+ years OR experience, CNOR preferred. For Kansas specifically: Kansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Topeka without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Topeka hire OR travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Topeka that hire Operating Room travel nurses include: Topeka Regional Medical, Topeka General Hospital, Community Health Topeka. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open OR positions in Topeka.
Looking for a contract?
Get matched with top-paying recruiters in your desired state.