Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Medical-Surgical travel nurses heading to Portsmouth.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Med-Surg)
$46/hr
Portsmouth, NH
Total Weekly Package
$3,173
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,637
After ~29% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Med-Surg in Portsmouth
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,637/mo
$120/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,500/mo
COL index: 125.3
Monthly Margin
+2,137/mo
Stipend covers rent
New Hampshire Med-Surg Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,850
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,323
Annual Potential
$96,209
Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Portsmouth
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Portsmouth's GSA rates and cost of living index of 125.3.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$83.78
Based on 36 hours in NH.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,016
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,728
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$501
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,515
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$32,693
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$65,387
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$130,774
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,515
per week
Taxes
$501
per week
Total Gross: $3,016 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$840
≈ $3,637/month
Est. 1BR Rent in New Hampshire
$1,300
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,337
Your stipend covers rent with $2,337 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,300/month in Manchester:
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Cost of Living Analysis in New Hampshire
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. New Hampshire's cost of living is higher than the national average by 14.4 points.
Housing Cost: High
Utilities: High
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 — Portsmouth
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Med-Surg travel nurses working in Portsmouth. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$120/night
$840/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,323
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 New Hampshire
Med-Surg Certifications Required
- BLS
- 1+ years Med-Surg experience
New Hampshire Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Portsmouth
- Portsmouth Regional
- Exeter Hospital
- Wentworth-Douglass
Other Specialties in Portsmouth
ICU
~$53/hr
Very HighER
~$52/hr
Very HighOR
~$54/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$50/hr
HighPACU
~$51/hr
HighNICU
~$52/hr
HighPICU
~$53/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$47/hr
ModerateOncology
~$49/hr
HighOther New Hampshire Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses
View all New Hampshire cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in Portsmouth?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Portsmouth earn approximately $46/hr in taxable wages ($1,850/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,173. Annual potential is $96,209 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Portsmouth?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Portsmouth are: Lodging $120/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,323. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Portsmouth affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Portsmouth is 125.3 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,500/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,137/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do Med-Surg travel nurses need for New Hampshire assignments?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. For New Hampshire specifically: New Hampshire is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Portsmouth without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Portsmouth hire Med-Surg travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Portsmouth that hire Medical-Surgical travel nurses include: Portsmouth Regional, Exeter Hospital, Wentworth-Douglass. Med-Surg is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Portsmouth actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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