OR Travel Nurse Salary in Lexington, Kentucky
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Operating Room travel nurses heading to Lexington.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (OR)
$50/hr
Lexington, KY
Total Weekly Package
$3,214
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,635
After ~29% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: OR in Lexington
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,334/mo
$110/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 88.5
Monthly Margin
+2,334/mo
Stipend covers rent
Kentucky OR Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for OR travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,996
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,218
Annual Potential
$103,773
Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your OR Pay in Lexington
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Lexington's GSA rates and cost of living index of 88.5.
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 — Lexington
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for OR travel nurses working in Lexington. 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 OR Travel Nurses in Kentucky
OR Certifications Required
- BLS
- 2+ years OR experience
- CNOR preferred
Kentucky Licensing
Hospitals Hiring OR Travel Nurses in Lexington
- UK HealthCare
- Baptist Health
- CHI Saint Joseph
Other Specialties in Lexington
ICU
~$49/hr
Very HighER
~$48/hr
Very HighLabor & Delivery
~$46/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$43/hr
Very HighPACU
~$47/hr
HighNICU
~$48/hr
HighPICU
~$49/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$44/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 Lexington?
Operating Room travel nurses in Lexington earn approximately $50/hr in taxable wages ($1,996/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,218/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,214. Annual potential is $103,773 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Lexington?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Lexington 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 Lexington affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Lexington is 88.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,334/month, leaving a surplus of $2,334/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 Lexington without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Lexington hire OR travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Lexington that hire Operating Room travel nurses include: UK HealthCare, Baptist Health, CHI Saint Joseph. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open OR positions in Lexington.
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