PACU Travel Nurse Salary in St. Louis, Missouri
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses heading to St. Louis.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PACU)
$50/hr
St. Louis, MO
Total Weekly Package
$3,411
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,822
After ~29.4% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PACU in St. Louis
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,001/mo
$132/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$950/mo
COL index: 85.2
Monthly Margin
+3,051/mo
Stipend covers rent
Missouri PACU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PACU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,004
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,407
Annual Potential
$104,227
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 St. Louis
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for St. Louis'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 5.4% 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
Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.
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:
Affiliate link
We may earn a commission if you book through our link.
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.
Resources for Your Assignment
These are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — St. Louis
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PACU travel nurses working in St. Louis. 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 PACU Travel Nurses in Missouri
PACU Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years PACU experience
Missouri Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PACU Travel Nurses in St. Louis
- Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- Mercy Hospital
- SSM Health
Other Specialties in St. Louis
ICU
~$52/hr
Very HighER
~$51/hr
Very HighOR
~$53/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$49/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$45/hr
Very HighNICU
~$51/hr
HighPICU
~$52/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$46/hr
ModerateOncology
~$48/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 St. Louis?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in St. Louis earn approximately $50/hr in taxable wages ($2,004/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,411. Annual potential is $104,227 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for St. Louis?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for St. Louis 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 St. Louis affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in St. Louis is 85.2 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $950/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,001/month, leaving a surplus of $3,051/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 St. Louis without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in St. Louis hire PACU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in St. Louis that hire Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses include: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Mercy Hospital, SSM Health. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PACU positions in St. Louis.
Looking for a contract?
Get matched with top-paying recruiters in your desired state.