ER Travel Nurse Salary in Durham, North Carolina
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Emergency Room travel nurses heading to Durham.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ER)
$51/hr
Durham, NC
Total Weekly Package
$3,449
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,852
After ~29.25% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ER in Durham
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,001/mo
$132/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,300/mo
COL index: 102.5
Monthly Margin
+2,701/mo
Stipend covers rent
North Carolina ER Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ER travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,042
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,407
Annual Potential
$106,193
Tax estimate: 5.25% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your ER Pay in Durham
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Durham's GSA rates and cost of living index of 102.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 5.25% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$74.53
Based on 36 hours in NC.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,683
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,584
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$463
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,220
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,856
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$57,712
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$115,423
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,220
per week
Taxes
$463
per week
Total Gross: $2,683 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in North Carolina
$1,100
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$1,870
Your stipend covers rent with $1,870 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,100/month in Charlotte:
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Cost of Living Analysis in North Carolina
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. North Carolina's cost of living is lower than the national average by 3.5 points.
Housing Cost: Moderate
Utilities: Moderate
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 — Durham
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ER travel nurses working in Durham. 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 ER Travel Nurses in North Carolina
ER Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years ER experience
- TNCC preferred
North Carolina Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ER Travel Nurses in Durham
- Duke University Hospital
- UNC Health
- Durham VA
Other Specialties in Durham
ICU
~$52/hr
Very HighOR
~$53/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$49/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$45/hr
Very HighPACU
~$50/hr
HighNICU
~$51/hr
HighPICU
~$52/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$46/hr
ModerateOncology
~$48/hr
HighOther North Carolina Cities for ER Travel Nurses
Asheville
~$49/hr ER
COL: 108.5
Chapel Hill
~$50/hr ER
COL: 112.5
Charlotte
~$49/hr ER
COL: 99.6
Concord
~$43/hr ER
COL: 95
Fayetteville
~$48/hr ER
COL: 84.5
Greensboro
~$49/hr ER
COL: 89.8
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ER travel nurses make in Durham?
Emergency Room travel nurses in Durham earn approximately $51/hr in taxable wages ($2,042/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,449. Annual potential is $106,193 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Durham?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Durham 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 Durham affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Durham is 102.5 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,300/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,001/month, leaving a surplus of $2,701/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do ER travel nurses need for North Carolina assignments?
Emergency Room travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, PALS, 2+ years ER experience, TNCC preferred. For North Carolina specifically: North Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Durham without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Durham hire ER travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Durham that hire Emergency Room travel nurses include: Duke University Hospital, UNC Health, Durham VA. ER is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Durham actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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