PACU Travel Nurse Salary in Cincinnati, Ohio
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses heading to Cincinnati.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PACU)
$50/hr
Cincinnati, OH
Total Weekly Package
$3,411
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,850
After ~27.990000000000002% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PACU in Cincinnati
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,001/mo
$132/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 88.9
Monthly Margin
+3,001/mo
Stipend covers rent
Ohio PACU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PACU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,004
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,407
Annual Potential
$104,227
Tax estimate: 3.99% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PACU Pay in Cincinnati
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Cincinnati's GSA rates and cost of living index of 88.9.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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Same state assignment. You'll pay 3.99% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$82.53
Based on 36 hours in OH.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,971
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,872
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$524
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,447
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$31,811
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$63,623
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$127,245
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,447
per week
Taxes
$524
per week
Total Gross: $2,971 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Ohio
$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 Columbus:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Ohio
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Ohio's cost of living is lower than the national average by 9.3 points.
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 — Cincinnati
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PACU travel nurses working in Cincinnati. 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 PACU Travel Nurses in Ohio
PACU Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years PACU experience
Ohio Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PACU Travel Nurses in Cincinnati
- UC Health
- Cincinnati Children's
- Christ Hospital
Other Specialties in Cincinnati
ICU
~$52/hr
Very HighER
~$51/hr
Very HighOR
~$53/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$49/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$45/hr
Very HighNICU
~$51/hr
HighPICU
~$52/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$46/hr
ModerateOncology
~$48/hr
HighOther Ohio Cities for PACU Travel Nurses
Akron
~$49/hr PACU
COL: 81.5
Cleveland
~$50/hr PACU
COL: 88.2
Columbus
~$47/hr PACU
COL: 90.1
Dayton
~$49/hr PACU
COL: 82.1
Parma
~$50/hr PACU
COL: 83.5
Toledo
~$49/hr PACU
COL: 80.1
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PACU travel nurses make in Cincinnati?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in Cincinnati earn approximately $50/hr in taxable wages ($2,004/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,411. Annual potential is $104,227 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Cincinnati?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Cincinnati is 88.9 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,001/month, leaving a surplus of $3,001/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PACU travel nurses need for Ohio assignments?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years PACU experience. For Ohio specifically: Ohio is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Cincinnati without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Cincinnati hire PACU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Cincinnati that hire Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses include: UC Health, Cincinnati Children's, Christ Hospital. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PACU positions in Cincinnati.
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