Medical-Surgical Dayton, OH Very High Demand

Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Dayton, Ohio

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Medical-Surgical travel nurses heading to Dayton.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist

Verified

Avg Hourly (Med-Surg)

$45/hr

Dayton, OH

Total Weekly Package

$3,187

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,689

After ~27.990000000000002% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: Med-Surg in Dayton

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$4,001/mo

$132/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$850/mo

COL index: 82.1

Monthly Margin

+3,151/mo

Stipend covers rent

#10

Ohio Med-Surg Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,780

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,407

Annual Potential

$92,579

Tax estimate: 3.99% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Dayton

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Dayton's GSA rates and cost of living index of 82.1.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Ohio ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate28.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 3.99%

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

Loading chart...

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

Monthly Net Income:$10,596
Average 1BR Rent:$900
True Discretionary Income:$9,696

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:90.7

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 — Dayton

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Med-Surg travel nurses working in Dayton. 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 Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Ohio

Med-Surg Certifications Required

  • BLS
  • 1+ years Med-Surg experience

Ohio Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 3.99%

Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Dayton

  • Premier Health
  • Kettering Health
  • Miami Valley Hospital

Other Specialties in Dayton

View full Dayton pay guide →

Other Ohio Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses

View all Ohio cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in Dayton?

Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Dayton earn approximately $45/hr in taxable wages ($1,780/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,187. Annual potential is $92,579 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Dayton?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Dayton 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 Dayton affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Dayton is 82.1 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $850/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,001/month, leaving a surplus of $3,151/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

What certifications do Med-Surg travel nurses need for Ohio assignments?

Medical-Surgical travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. For Ohio specifically: Ohio is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Dayton without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Dayton hire Med-Surg travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Dayton that hire Medical-Surgical travel nurses include: Premier Health, Kettering Health, Miami Valley Hospital. Med-Surg is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Dayton actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.

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Resources for Dayton