Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in Memphis, Tennessee
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Medical-Surgical travel nurses heading to Memphis.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Med-Surg)
$42/hr
Memphis, TN
Total Weekly Package
$3,153
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,751
After ~24% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Med-Surg in Memphis
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,304/mo
$142/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 84.2
Monthly Margin
+3,304/mo
Stipend covers rent
Tennessee Med-Surg Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,676
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,477
Annual Potential
$87,133
Tax estimate: No state tax + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in Memphis
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Memphis's GSA rates and cost of living index of 84.2.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay no state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$71.53
Based on 36 hours in TN.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,575
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,476
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$354
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,221
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,870
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$57,740
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$115,480
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,221
per week
Taxes
$354
per week
Total Gross: $2,575 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Tennessee
$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 Nashville:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Tennessee
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Tennessee's cost of living is lower than the national average by 11.0 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.
Resources for Your Assignment
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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Memphis
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Med-Surg travel nurses working in Memphis. 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 Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Tennessee
Med-Surg Certifications Required
- BLS
- 1+ years Med-Surg experience
Tennessee Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Memphis
- Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
- Baptist Memorial Hospital
- Regional One Health
Other Specialties in Memphis
ICU
~$48/hr
Very HighER
~$47/hr
Very HighOR
~$49/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$45/hr
HighPACU
~$46/hr
HighNICU
~$47/hr
HighPICU
~$48/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$43/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/hr
HighOther Tennessee Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses
Chattanooga
~$43/hr Med-Surg
COL: 85.2
Knoxville
~$44/hr Med-Surg
COL: 88.5
Murfreesboro
~$36/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95
Nashville
~$44/hr Med-Surg
COL: 101.3
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in Memphis?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses in Memphis earn approximately $42/hr in taxable wages ($1,676/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,477/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,153. Annual potential is $87,133 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Memphis?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Memphis 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 Memphis affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Memphis is 84.2 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,304/month, leaving a surplus of $3,304/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do Med-Surg travel nurses need for Tennessee assignments?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. For Tennessee specifically: Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Memphis without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Memphis hire Med-Surg travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Memphis that hire Medical-Surgical travel nurses include: Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Baptist Memorial Hospital, Regional One Health. Med-Surg is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Memphis actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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