Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Gulfport, MS High Demand

PACU Travel Nurse Salary in Gulfport, Mississippi

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses heading to Gulfport.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

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

Verified

Avg Hourly (PACU)

$37/hr

Gulfport, MS

Total Weekly Package

$2,599

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,174

After ~29% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: PACU in Gulfport

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$2,970/mo

$98/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,000/mo

COL index: 95

Monthly Margin

+1,970/mo

Stipend covers rent

#49

Mississippi PACU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for PACU travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,465

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,134

Annual Potential

$76,166

Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your PACU Pay in Gulfport

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Gulfport'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 Mississippi ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate29.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 5%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$68.53

Based on 36 hours in MS.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,467

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,368

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$397

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,070

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$26,914

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$53,827

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$107,655

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,070

per week

Taxes

$397

per week

Total Gross: $2,467 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Mississippi

$800

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,170

Your stipend covers rent with $2,170 left over each month.

Find apartments under $800/month in Jackson:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Mississippi

Monthly Net Income:$8,964
Average 1BR Rent:$800
True Discretionary Income:$8,164

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

Cost of Living Index:83.3

National average = 100. Mississippi's cost of living is lower than the national average by 16.7 points.

💡 Lower cost of living area. Your pay may go further here than in expensive cities.

Housing Cost: Very 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 — Gulfport

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

Lodging

$98/night

$686/week

Meals & Incidentals

$64/day

$448/week

Total Weekly Max

$1,134

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 Mississippi

PACU Certifications Required

  • BLS
  • ACLS
  • 2+ years PACU experience

Mississippi Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 5%

Hospitals Hiring PACU Travel Nurses in Gulfport

  • Gulfport Regional Medical
  • Gulfport General Hospital
  • Community Health Gulfport

Other Specialties in Gulfport

View full Gulfport pay guide →

Other Mississippi Cities for PACU Travel Nurses

View all Mississippi cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do PACU travel nurses make in Gulfport?

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in Gulfport earn approximately $37/hr in taxable wages ($1,465/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,599. Annual potential is $76,166 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Gulfport?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Gulfport are: Lodging $98/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,134. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.

Is Gulfport affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Gulfport is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $1,970/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

What certifications do PACU travel nurses need for Mississippi assignments?

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years PACU experience. For Mississippi specifically: Mississippi is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Gulfport without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Gulfport hire PACU travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Gulfport that hire Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses include: Gulfport Regional Medical, Gulfport General Hospital, Community Health Gulfport. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PACU positions in Gulfport.

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Resources for Gulfport