OR Travel Nurse Salary in Bowling Green, Kentucky
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Operating Room 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 (OR)
$49/hr
Bowling Green, KY
Total Weekly Package
$3,089
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,522
After ~29% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: OR 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 OR Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for OR travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,955
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$101,655
Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your OR 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 OR 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 OR Travel Nurses in Kentucky
OR Certifications Required
- BLS
- 2+ years OR experience
- CNOR preferred
Kentucky Licensing
Hospitals Hiring OR 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 HighLabor & Delivery
~$45/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$42/hr
Very HighPACU
~$46/hr
HighNICU
~$47/hr
HighPICU
~$48/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$43/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/hr
HighOther Kentucky Cities for OR Travel Nurses
View all Kentucky cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do OR travel nurses make in Bowling Green?
Operating Room travel nurses in Bowling Green earn approximately $49/hr in taxable wages ($1,955/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,089. Annual potential is $101,655 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 OR travel nurses need for Kentucky assignments?
Operating Room travel nurses need: BLS, 2+ years OR experience, CNOR preferred. 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 OR travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Bowling Green that hire Operating Room travel nurses include: Med Center Health, TriStar Greenview, Bowling Green Medical. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open OR positions in Bowling Green.
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