Travel Nurse Pay in Winston-Salem, North Carolina: 2026 Cost of Living & GSA Rates

Economic analysis: GSA housing caps, average rent, and profitability verdict for travel nurses in Winston-Salem.

Data reviewed July 3, 2026 · 50 states, 221 cities, FY2026 GSA rates

Pay and rent figures on this page are our own editorial estimates, reviewed July 31, 2026 — not survey or government wage data. How we produce these numbers.

Economics Verdict

Profitable: Winston-Salem Travel Nursing

GSA Housing Cap (Weekly)

$770/wk

≈ $3,334.1/mo

Avg Rent (1BR)

$950/mo

Margin

+$2,384.1/mo

Stipend covers rent

How the numbers here are checked

Tax figures are computed from published IRS and SSA sources and per diem from GSA, each carrying a citation and a retrieval date; our build fails if any loses one. Pay, rent and cost-of-living figures are our own editorial estimates. This page has not been reviewed by a licensed professional — see our methodology, and consult a CPA about your own situation.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the highest GSA lodging ceiling for North Carolina ($1,029/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Tax on your wages
Federal income tax (2026 brackets)$44/wk
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)$55/wk
State income taxnot available

Federal tax applies to wages after the $16,100 standard deduction; FICA applies to all wages. Tax-free stipends are excluded from both.

Same-state assignment — you file one resident return in your home state.

State income tax not included

We do not yet have a sourced bracket schedule for this state, so we are not estimating its income tax. A wrong state figure is worse than none. Federal and FICA figures above are complete and sourced; your true net pay will be lower than gross by more than the amounts shown, so we are not displaying a net figure for this state.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$58.89

Based on 36 hours in NC.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,120

Taxable Weekly Income

$720

Estimated Weekly Taxes

True Net Weekly Pay

Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

per week

Taxes

per week

Total Gross: $2,120 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$1,000

$4,330/month

Est. 1BR Rent in North Carolina

$1,100

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$3,230

Your stipend covers rent with $3,230 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,100/month in Charlotte:

We may earn a commission if you book through our link.

Resources for Your Assignment

These are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Is this pay package fair?

Based on $2,000/week in North Carolina

Comparison Battle

Staff vs. Travel Nurse in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Side-by-side budget comparison for 2026. Which employment mode wins?

Staff Nurse

Weekly Gross

$1,296

Weekly Take-Home

$933

Annual Net (52 weeks)

$48,522

Travel Nurse

WINNER

Weekly Gross (incl. stipends)

$3,046

Weekly Take-Home

$2,614

Annual Net (~48 weeks)

$125,472

Travel nursing wins by $76,950/year

That's $1,681/week difference in take-home pay

Want a detailed breakdown customized for your situation?

Travel Nurse Pay in Winston-Salem

Average Hourly Rate

$50/hr

Average Weekly Pay

$2,000

GSA Lodging Rate

$110/night

GSA Meal Rate

$68/day

Cost of Living in Winston-Salem

Cost of Living Index

86.3 (Below National Average)

Studio

$800/mo

1 Bedroom

$950/mo

2 Bedroom

$1200/mo

Top Hospitals in Winston-Salem

  • 🏥 Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
  • 🏥 Novant Health
  • 🏥 Atrium Health

Specialty Pay in Winston-Salem

Estimated hourly rates for the specialties most in demand here. Click any specialty for certifications, demand and national pay detail.

See all specialties →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do travel nurses make in Winston-Salem, North Carolina?

Travel nurses in Winston-Salem typically earn between $45 and $60 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $50/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $55-70 per hour.

What are the GSA rates for Winston-Salem, North Carolina?

The GSA per diem rates for Winston-Salem are: Lodging: $110/night, Meals: $68/day, and Incidentals: $0/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts travel nurses can receive. For official rates, visit [GSA.gov](https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates).

What is the cost of living in Winston-Salem?

The cost of living index in Winston-Salem is 86.3, which is below the national average. Average rent ranges from $800 for a studio to $1200 for a two-bedroom apartment.

What hospitals hire travel nurses in Winston-Salem?

Top hospitals in Winston-Salem that frequently hire travel nurses include Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Novant Health, Atrium Health, and others. These facilities offer competitive pay rates and excellent working conditions for travel nurses.

What specialties are in demand in Winston-Salem?

The most in-demand specialties for travel nurses in Winston-Salem include Med-Surg, ER, ICU. These specialties typically offer higher pay rates and more contract opportunities.

Resources for Winston-Salem