Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Bowling Green, Kentucky
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Medical-Surgical travel nurses heading to Bowling Green.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Med-Surg)
$42/hr
Bowling Green, KY
Total Weekly Package
$2,810
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,324
After ~29% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Med-Surg in Bowling Green
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$900/mo
COL index: 85.2
Monthly Margin
+2,070/mo
Stipend covers rent
Kentucky Med-Surg Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,676
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$87,133
Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Bowling Green
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Bowling Green's GSA rates and cost of living index of 85.2.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$70.53
Based on 36 hours in KY.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,539
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,440
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$418
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,121
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$27,578
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$55,156
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$110,313
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,121
per week
Taxes
$418
per week
Total Gross: $2,539 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Kentucky
$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 Louisville:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Kentucky
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Kentucky's cost of living is lower than the national average by 10.3 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 — Bowling Green
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Med-Surg travel nurses working in Bowling Green. 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 Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Kentucky
Med-Surg Certifications Required
- BLS
- 1+ years Med-Surg experience
Kentucky Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Bowling Green
- Med Center Health
- TriStar Greenview
- Bowling Green Medical
Other Specialties in Bowling Green
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 Kentucky Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses
Lexington
~$43/hr Med-Surg
COL: 88.5
Louisville
~$42/hr Med-Surg
COL: 89.4
Owensboro
~$35/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in Bowling Green?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Bowling Green earn approximately $42/hr in taxable wages ($1,676/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,810. Annual potential is $87,133 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Bowling Green?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Bowling Green 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 Bowling Green affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Bowling Green is 85.2 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $900/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $2,070/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do Med-Surg travel nurses need for Kentucky assignments?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. For Kentucky specifically: Kentucky is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Bowling Green without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Bowling Green hire Med-Surg travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Bowling Green that hire Medical-Surgical travel nurses include: Med Center Health, TriStar Greenview, Bowling Green Medical. Med-Surg is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Bowling Green actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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