Operating Room Abilene, TX High Demand

OR Travel Nurse Salary in Abilene, Texas

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Operating Room travel nurses heading to Abilene.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

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

Verified

Avg Hourly (OR)

$47/hr

Abilene, TX

Total Weekly Package

$3,007

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,557

After ~24% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: OR in Abilene

GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)

$2,970/mo

$98/night × 30 days

Avg 1BR Rent

$1,000/mo

COL index: 95

Monthly Margin

+1,970/mo

Stipend covers rent

#28

Texas OR Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for OR travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,873

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,134

Annual Potential

$97,420

Tax estimate: No state tax + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your OR Pay in Abilene

Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Abilene's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.

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 Texas ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate24.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 0%

Same state assignment. You'll pay no state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$76.53

Based on 36 hours in TX.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,755

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,656

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$397

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,358

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$30,648

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$61,297

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$122,593

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,358

per week

Taxes

$397

per week

Total Gross: $2,755 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Texas

$1,100

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$1,870

Your stipend covers rent with $1,870 left over each month.

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Cost of Living Analysis in Texas

Monthly Net Income:$10,208
Average 1BR Rent:$1,100
True Discretionary Income:$9,108

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

Cost of Living Index:92.7

National average = 100. Texas's cost of living is lower than the national average by 7.3 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 — Abilene

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

Lodging

$98/night

$686/week

Meals & Incidentals

$64/day

$448/week

Total Weekly Max

$1,134

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 OR Travel Nurses in Texas

OR Certifications Required

  • BLS
  • 2+ years OR experience
  • CNOR preferred

Texas Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax None

Hospitals Hiring OR Travel Nurses in Abilene

  • Abilene Regional Medical
  • Abilene General Hospital
  • Community Health Abilene

Other Specialties in Abilene

View full Abilene pay guide →

Other Texas Cities for OR Travel Nurses

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Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do OR travel nurses make in Abilene?

Operating Room travel nurses in Abilene earn approximately $47/hr in taxable wages ($1,873/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,007. Annual potential is $97,420 working full-time.

What are the 2026 GSA rates for Abilene?

The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Abilene are: Lodging $98/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,134. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.

Is Abilene affordable for travel nurses?

The cost of living index in Abilene is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $1,970/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.

What certifications do OR travel nurses need for Texas assignments?

Operating Room travel nurses need: BLS, 2+ years OR experience, CNOR preferred. For Texas specifically: Texas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Abilene without additional licensing.

Which hospitals in Abilene hire OR travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Abilene that hire Operating Room travel nurses include: Abilene Regional Medical, Abilene General Hospital, Community Health Abilene. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open OR positions in Abilene.

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Resources for Abilene