PACU Travel Nurse Salary in San Antonio, Texas
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses heading to San Antonio.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (PACU)
$47/hr
San Antonio, TX
Total Weekly Package
$3,366
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,913
After ~24% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PACU in San Antonio
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,304/mo
$142/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,100/mo
COL index: 89.3
Monthly Margin
+3,204/mo
Stipend covers rent
Texas PACU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PACU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,889
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,477
Annual Potential
$98,214
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 San Antonio
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for San Antonio's GSA rates and cost of living index of 89.3.
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 — San Antonio
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for PACU travel nurses working in San Antonio. 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 Texas
PACU Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years PACU experience
Texas Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PACU Travel Nurses in San Antonio
- University Health System
- Methodist Hospital
- Baptist Medical Center
Other Specialties in San Antonio
ICU
~$49/hr
Very HighER
~$48/hr
Very HighOR
~$50/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$46/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$43/hr
Very HighNICU
~$48/hr
HighPICU
~$49/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$44/hr
ModerateOncology
~$45/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 San Antonio?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in San Antonio earn approximately $47/hr in taxable wages ($1,889/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,477/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,366. Annual potential is $98,214 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for San Antonio?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for San Antonio 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 San Antonio affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in San Antonio is 89.3 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,100/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,304/month, leaving a surplus of $3,204/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 San Antonio without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in San Antonio hire PACU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in San Antonio that hire Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses include: University Health System, Methodist Hospital, Baptist Medical Center. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open PACU positions in San Antonio.
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