Medical-Surgical Hilton Head, SC Very High Demand

Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Hilton Head, South Carolina

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

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

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

Verified

Avg Hourly (Med-Surg)

$44/hr

Hilton Head, SC

Total Weekly Package

$3,068

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,527

After ~31% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: Med-Surg in Hilton Head

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$3,637/mo

$120/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,400/mo

COL index: 118.5

Monthly Margin

+2,237/mo

Stipend covers rent

#40

South Carolina Med-Surg Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,745

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,323

Annual Potential

$90,764

Tax estimate: 7% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Hilton Head

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Hilton Head's GSA rates and cost of living index of 118.5.

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 South Carolina ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate31.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 7%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 7% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$72.53

Based on 36 hours in SC.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,611

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,512

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$469

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,142

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$27,850

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$55,699

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$111,399

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,142

per week

Taxes

$469

per week

Total Gross: $2,611 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in South Carolina

$1,000

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$1,970

Your stipend covers rent with $1,970 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,000/month in Charleston:

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Cost of Living Analysis in South Carolina

Monthly Net Income:$9,276
Average 1BR Rent:$1,000
True Discretionary Income:$8,276

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

Cost of Living Index:95.8

National average = 100. South Carolina's cost of living is lower than the national average by 4.2 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 — Hilton Head

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Med-Surg travel nurses working in Hilton Head. 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 South Carolina

Med-Surg Certifications Required

  • BLS
  • 1+ years Med-Surg experience

South Carolina Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 7%

Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Hilton Head

  • Hilton Head Hospital
  • Beaufort Memorial
  • Coastal Carolina

Other Specialties in Hilton Head

View full Hilton Head pay guide →

Other South Carolina Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses

View all South Carolina cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in Hilton Head?

Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Hilton Head earn approximately $44/hr in taxable wages ($1,745/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,068. Annual potential is $90,764 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Hilton Head?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Hilton Head 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 Hilton Head affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Hilton Head is 118.5 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,400/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,237/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

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

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

Which hospitals in Hilton Head hire Med-Surg travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Hilton Head that hire Medical-Surgical travel nurses include: Hilton Head Hospital, Beaufort Memorial, Coastal Carolina. Med-Surg is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Hilton Head actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.

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Resources for Hilton Head