Cardiac Travel Nurse Salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Cardiac travel nurses heading to Winston-Salem.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Cardiac)
$49/hr
Winston-Salem, NC
Total Weekly Package
$3,371
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,797
After ~29.25% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Cardiac in Winston-Salem
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,001/mo
$132/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$950/mo
COL index: 86.3
Monthly Margin
+3,051/mo
Stipend covers rent
North Carolina Cardiac Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Cardiac travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,964
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,407
Annual Potential
$102,109
Tax estimate: 5.25% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Cardiac Pay in Winston-Salem
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Winston-Salem's GSA rates and cost of living index of 86.3.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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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 — Winston-Salem
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Cardiac travel nurses working in Winston-Salem. 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 Cardiac Travel Nurses in North Carolina
Cardiac Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years cardiac experience
North Carolina Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Cardiac Travel Nurses in Winston-Salem
- Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
- Novant Health
- Atrium Health
Other Specialties in Winston-Salem
ICU
~$50/hr
Very HighER
~$49/hr
Very HighOR
~$51/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$47/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$44/hr
Very HighPACU
~$48/hr
HighNICU
~$49/hr
HighPICU
~$50/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOther North Carolina Cities for Cardiac Travel Nurses
Asheville
~$49/hr Cardiac
COL: 108.5
Chapel Hill
~$50/hr Cardiac
COL: 112.5
Charlotte
~$49/hr Cardiac
COL: 99.6
Concord
~$43/hr Cardiac
COL: 95
Durham
~$51/hr Cardiac
COL: 102.5
Fayetteville
~$48/hr Cardiac
COL: 84.5
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Cardiac travel nurses make in Winston-Salem?
Cardiac travel nurses in Winston-Salem earn approximately $49/hr in taxable wages ($1,964/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,371. Annual potential is $102,109 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Winston-Salem?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Winston-Salem is 86.3 (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 Cardiac travel nurses need for North Carolina assignments?
Cardiac travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years cardiac experience. For North Carolina specifically: North Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Winston-Salem without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Winston-Salem hire Cardiac travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Winston-Salem that hire Cardiac travel nurses include: Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Novant Health, Atrium Health. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open Cardiac positions in Winston-Salem.
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