Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Oklahoma City, OK High Demand

PACU Travel Nurse Salary in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses heading to Oklahoma City.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

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

Verified

Avg Hourly (PACU)

$44/hr

Oklahoma City, OK

Total Weekly Package

$3,250

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,736

After ~29% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: PACU in Oklahoma City

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$4,304/mo

$142/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$950/mo

COL index: 87.9

Monthly Margin

+3,354/mo

Stipend covers rent

#47

Oklahoma PACU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for PACU travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,773

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,477

Annual Potential

$92,201

Tax estimate: 5% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your PACU Pay in Oklahoma City

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Oklahoma City's GSA rates and cost of living index of 87.9.

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 Oklahoma ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate29.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 5%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$70.53

Based on 36 hours in OK.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,539

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,440

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$418

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,121

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$27,578

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$55,156

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$110,313

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,121

per week

Taxes

$418

per week

Total Gross: $2,539 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Oklahoma

$800

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,170

Your stipend covers rent with $2,170 left over each month.

Find apartments under $800/month in Oklahoma City:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Oklahoma

Monthly Net Income:$9,186
Average 1BR Rent:$800
True Discretionary Income:$8,386

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

Cost of Living Index:87.9

National average = 100. Oklahoma's cost of living is lower than the national average by 12.1 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 — Oklahoma City

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PACU travel nurses working in Oklahoma City. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.

Lodging

$142/night

$994/week

Meals & Incidentals

$69/day

$483/week

Total Weekly Max

$1,477

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 Oklahoma

PACU Certifications Required

  • BLS
  • ACLS
  • 2+ years PACU experience

Oklahoma Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 5%

Hospitals Hiring PACU Travel Nurses in Oklahoma City

  • OU Medical Center
  • Mercy Hospital
  • Integris Baptist

Other Specialties in Oklahoma City

View full Oklahoma City pay guide →

Other Oklahoma Cities for PACU Travel Nurses

View all Oklahoma cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do PACU travel nurses make in Oklahoma City?

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in Oklahoma City earn approximately $44/hr in taxable wages ($1,773/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,477/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,250. Annual potential is $92,201 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Oklahoma City?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Oklahoma City are: Lodging $142/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,477. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.

Is Oklahoma City affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Oklahoma City is 87.9 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $950/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,304/month, leaving a surplus of $3,354/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

What certifications do PACU travel nurses need for Oklahoma assignments?

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years PACU experience. For Oklahoma specifically: Oklahoma is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Oklahoma City without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Oklahoma City hire PACU travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Oklahoma City that hire Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses include: OU Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, Integris Baptist. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PACU positions in Oklahoma City.

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Resources for Oklahoma City