Medical-Surgical Lewiston, ME Very High Demand

Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Lewiston, Maine

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Medical-Surgical travel nurses heading to Lewiston.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist

Verified

Avg Hourly (Med-Surg)

$40/hr

Lewiston, ME

Total Weekly Package

$2,929

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,429

After ~31.15% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: Med-Surg in Lewiston

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$3,637/mo

$120/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,000/mo

COL index: 95

Monthly Margin

+2,637/mo

Stipend covers rent

#26

Maine Med-Surg Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,606

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,323

Annual Potential

$83,503

Tax estimate: 7.15% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Lewiston

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Lewiston'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.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Maine ($840/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate31.1%
Federal: 24%
State: 7.15%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 7.15% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$81.78

Based on 36 hours in ME.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,944

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,656

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$516

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,428

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.

Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$31,566

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$63,132

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$126,264

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,428

per week

Taxes

$516

per week

Total Gross: $2,944 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$840

$3,637/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Maine

$1,100

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,537

Your stipend covers rent with $2,537 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,100/month in Portland:

We may earn a commission if you book through our link.

Cost of Living Analysis in Maine

Monthly Net Income:$10,514
Average 1BR Rent:$1,100
True Discretionary Income:$9,414

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:108.1

National average = 100. Maine's cost of living is higher than the national average by 8.1 points.

Housing Cost: Moderate

Utilities: High

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 — Lewiston

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Med-Surg travel nurses working in Lewiston. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.

Lodging

$120/night

$840/week

Meals & Incidentals

$69/day

$483/week

Total Weekly Max

$1,323

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 Maine

Med-Surg Certifications Required

  • BLS
  • 1+ years Med-Surg experience

Maine Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 7.15%

Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Lewiston

  • Lewiston Regional Medical
  • Lewiston General Hospital
  • Community Health Lewiston

Other Specialties in Lewiston

View full Lewiston pay guide →

Other Maine Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses

View all Maine cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in Lewiston?

Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Lewiston earn approximately $40/hr in taxable wages ($1,606/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,929. Annual potential is $83,503 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Lewiston?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Lewiston are: Lodging $120/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,323. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.

Is Lewiston affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Lewiston is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,637/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

What certifications do Med-Surg travel nurses need for Maine assignments?

Medical-Surgical travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. For Maine specifically: Maine is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Lewiston without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Lewiston hire Med-Surg travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Lewiston that hire Medical-Surgical travel nurses include: Lewiston Regional Medical, Lewiston General Hospital, Community Health Lewiston. Med-Surg is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Lewiston actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.

Looking for a contract?

Get matched with top-paying recruiters in your desired state.

Resources for Lewiston