PACU Travel Nurse Salary in Kansas City, Missouri
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses heading to Kansas City.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PACU)
$47/hr
Kansas City, MO
Total Weekly Package
$3,366
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,811
After ~29.4% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PACU in Kansas City
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,304/mo
$142/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,100/mo
COL index: 89.9
Monthly Margin
+3,204/mo
Stipend covers rent
Missouri PACU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PACU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,889
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,477
Annual Potential
$98,214
Tax estimate: 5.4% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PACU Pay in Kansas City
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Kansas City's GSA rates and cost of living index of 89.9.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 5.4% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$72.53
Based on 36 hours in MO.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,611
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,512
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$445
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,166
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,164
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$56,328
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$112,657
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,166
per week
Taxes
$445
per week
Total Gross: $2,611 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Missouri
$900
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,070
Your stipend covers rent with $2,070 left over each month.
Find apartments under $900/month in Kansas City:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Missouri
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Missouri's cost of living is lower than the national average by 12.1 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 — Kansas City
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PACU travel nurses working in Kansas City. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$142/night
$994/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,477
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 PACU Travel Nurses in Missouri
PACU Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years PACU experience
Missouri Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PACU Travel Nurses in Kansas City
- Saint Luke's Hospital
- University Health
- Children's Mercy
Other Specialties in Kansas City
ICU
~$49/hr
Very HighER
~$48/hr
Very HighOR
~$50/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$46/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$43/hr
Very HighNICU
~$48/hr
HighPICU
~$49/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$44/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/hr
HighOther Missouri Cities for PACU Travel Nurses
View all Missouri cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PACU travel nurses make in Kansas City?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in Kansas City earn approximately $47/hr in taxable wages ($1,889/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,477/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,366. Annual potential is $98,214 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Kansas City?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Kansas City are: Lodging $142/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,477. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Kansas City affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Kansas City is 89.9 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,100/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,304/month, leaving a surplus of $3,204/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PACU travel nurses need for Missouri assignments?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years PACU experience. For Missouri specifically: Missouri is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Kansas City without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Kansas City hire PACU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Kansas City that hire Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses include: Saint Luke's Hospital, University Health, Children's Mercy. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PACU positions in Kansas City.
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