Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Sterling Heights, Michigan
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Medical-Surgical travel nurses heading to Sterling Heights.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Med-Surg)
$45/hr
Sterling Heights, MI
Total Weekly Package
$3,187
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,684
After ~28.25% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Med-Surg in Sterling Heights
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,001/mo
$132/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 88.5
Monthly Margin
+3,001/mo
Stipend covers rent
Michigan Med-Surg Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,780
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,407
Annual Potential
$92,579
Tax estimate: 4.25% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Sterling Heights
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Sterling Heights'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 4.25% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$75.53
Based on 36 hours in MI.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,719
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,620
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$458
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,261
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$29,398
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$58,795
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$117,590
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,261
per week
Taxes
$458
per week
Total Gross: $2,719 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Michigan
$1,000
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$1,970
Your stipend covers rent with $1,970 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,000/month in Detroit:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Michigan
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Michigan's cost of living is lower than the national average by 11.0 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 — Sterling Heights
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Med-Surg travel nurses working in Sterling Heights. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$132/night
$924/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,407
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 Michigan
Med-Surg Certifications Required
- BLS
- 1+ years Med-Surg experience
Michigan Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Sterling Heights
- Ascension Macomb-Oakland
- Beaumont Hospital
- Henry Ford Hospital
Other Specialties in Sterling Heights
ICU
~$51/hr
Very HighER
~$50/hr
Very HighOR
~$52/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$48/hr
HighPACU
~$49/hr
HighNICU
~$50/hr
HighPICU
~$51/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$47/hr
HighOther Michigan Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses
Detroit
~$45/hr Med-Surg
COL: 88.9
Grand Rapids
~$45/hr Med-Surg
COL: 88.1
Lansing
~$44/hr Med-Surg
COL: 86.2
Muskegon
~$39/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95
Saginaw
~$39/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in Sterling Heights?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Sterling Heights earn approximately $45/hr in taxable wages ($1,780/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,187. Annual potential is $92,579 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Sterling Heights?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Sterling Heights are: Lodging $132/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,407. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Sterling Heights affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Sterling Heights is 88.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,001/month, leaving a surplus of $3,001/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do Med-Surg travel nurses need for Michigan assignments?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. For Michigan specifically: Michigan is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Sterling Heights without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Sterling Heights hire Med-Surg travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Sterling Heights that hire Medical-Surgical travel nurses include: Ascension Macomb-Oakland, Beaumont Hospital, Henry Ford Hospital. Med-Surg is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Sterling Heights actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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