Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Lincoln, Nebraska
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Medical-Surgical travel nurses heading to Lincoln.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Med-Surg)
$43/hr
Lincoln, NE
Total Weekly Package
$2,929
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,401
After ~30.84% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Med-Surg in Lincoln
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,334/mo
$110/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 88.5
Monthly Margin
+2,334/mo
Stipend covers rent
Nebraska Med-Surg Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,711
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,218
Annual Potential
$88,948
Tax estimate: 6.84% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Lincoln
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Lincoln's GSA rates and cost of living index of 88.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 6.84% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$71.53
Based on 36 hours in NE.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,575
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,476
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$455
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,120
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$27,557
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$55,115
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$110,230
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,120
per week
Taxes
$455
per week
Total Gross: $2,575 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Nebraska
$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 Omaha:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Nebraska
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Nebraska's cost of living is lower than the national average by 10.9 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.
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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Lincoln
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Med-Surg travel nurses working in Lincoln. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$110/night
$770/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,218
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 Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Nebraska
Med-Surg Certifications Required
- BLS
- 1+ years Med-Surg experience
Nebraska Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Lincoln
- Bryan Health
- CHI Health St. Elizabeth
- VA Nebraska
Other Specialties in Lincoln
ICU
~$49/hr
Very HighER
~$48/hr
Very HighOR
~$50/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$46/hr
HighPACU
~$47/hr
HighNICU
~$48/hr
HighPICU
~$49/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$44/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/hr
HighOther Nebraska Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses
Grand Island
~$36/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95
Kearney
~$36/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95
Omaha
~$42/hr Med-Surg
COL: 89.1
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in Lincoln?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Lincoln earn approximately $43/hr in taxable wages ($1,711/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,218/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,929. Annual potential is $88,948 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Lincoln?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Lincoln are: Lodging $110/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,218. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Lincoln affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Lincoln is 88.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,334/month, leaving a surplus of $2,334/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do Med-Surg travel nurses need for Nebraska assignments?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. For Nebraska specifically: Nebraska is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Lincoln without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Lincoln hire Med-Surg travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Lincoln that hire Medical-Surgical travel nurses include: Bryan Health, CHI Health St. Elizabeth, VA Nebraska. Med-Surg is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Lincoln actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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