PACU Travel Nurse Salary in Rio Rancho, New Mexico
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses heading to Rio Rancho.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PACU)
$44/hr
Rio Rancho, NM
Total Weekly Package
$2,907
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,377
After ~29.9% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PACU in Rio Rancho
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 95
Monthly Margin
+1,970/mo
Stipend covers rent
New Mexico PACU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PACU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,773
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$92,201
Tax estimate: 5.9% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PACU Pay in Rio Rancho
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Rio Rancho's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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Same state assignment. You'll pay 5.9% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$76.53
Based on 36 hours in NM.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,755
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,656
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$495
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,260
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$29,378
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$58,756
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$117,513
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,260
per week
Taxes
$495
per week
Total Gross: $2,755 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in New Mexico
$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 Albuquerque:
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Cost of Living Analysis in New Mexico
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. New Mexico's cost of living is lower than the national average by 11.6 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 — Rio Rancho
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PACU travel nurses working in Rio Rancho. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$98/night
$686/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,134
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 PACU Travel Nurses in New Mexico
PACU Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years PACU experience
New Mexico Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PACU Travel Nurses in Rio Rancho
- Rio Rancho Regional Medical
- Rio Rancho General Hospital
- Community Health Rio Rancho
Other Specialties in Rio Rancho
ICU
~$46/hr
Very HighER
~$45/hr
Very HighOR
~$47/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$43/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$40/hr
Very HighNICU
~$45/hr
HighPICU
~$46/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$41/hr
ModerateOncology
~$43/hr
HighOther New Mexico Cities for PACU Travel Nurses
View all New Mexico cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PACU travel nurses make in Rio Rancho?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in Rio Rancho earn approximately $44/hr in taxable wages ($1,773/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,907. Annual potential is $92,201 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Rio Rancho?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Rio Rancho are: Lodging $98/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,134. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Rio Rancho affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Rio Rancho is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $1,970/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PACU travel nurses need for New Mexico assignments?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years PACU experience. For New Mexico specifically: New Mexico is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Rio Rancho without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Rio Rancho hire PACU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Rio Rancho that hire Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses include: Rio Rancho Regional Medical, Rio Rancho General Hospital, Community Health Rio Rancho. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PACU positions in Rio Rancho.
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