PACU Travel Nurse Salary in Odessa, Texas
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses heading to Odessa.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PACU)
$44/hr
Odessa, TX
Total Weekly Package
$2,907
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,481
After ~24% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PACU in Odessa
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$900/mo
COL index: 88.5
Monthly Margin
+2,070/mo
Stipend covers rent
Texas PACU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PACU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,773
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$92,201
Tax estimate: No state tax + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PACU Pay in Odessa
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Odessa's GSA rates and cost of living index of 88.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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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
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.
Find apartments under $1,100/month in Houston:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Texas
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
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 — Odessa
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PACU travel nurses working in Odessa. 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 PACU Travel Nurses in Texas
PACU Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years PACU experience
Texas Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PACU Travel Nurses in Odessa
- Odessa Medical Center
- Odessa Regional Hospital
- Permian Basin Odessa
Other Specialties in Odessa
ICU
~$46/hr
Very HighER
~$45/hr
Very HighOR
~$47/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$43/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$40/hr
Very HighNICU
~$45/hr
HighPICU
~$46/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$41/hr
ModerateOncology
~$43/hr
HighOther Texas Cities for PACU Travel Nurses
Abilene
~$44/hr PACU
COL: 95
Amarillo
~$44/hr PACU
COL: 95
Arlington
~$48/hr PACU
COL: 100.1
Austin
~$50/hr PACU
COL: 119.3
Brownsville
~$44/hr PACU
COL: 88.5
Corpus Christi
~$47/hr PACU
COL: 85.2
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PACU travel nurses make in Odessa?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in Odessa earn approximately $44/hr in taxable wages ($1,773/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,907. Annual potential is $92,201 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Odessa?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Odessa 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 Odessa affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Odessa is 88.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $900/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $2,070/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do PACU travel nurses need for Texas assignments?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years PACU experience. For Texas specifically: Texas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Odessa without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Odessa hire PACU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Odessa that hire Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses include: Odessa Medical Center, Odessa Regional Hospital, Permian Basin Odessa. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PACU positions in Odessa.
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