Travel Nurse Pay in Seattle, Washington: 2026 Cost of Living & GSA Rates
Economic analysis: GSA housing caps, average rent, and profitability verdict for travel nurses in Seattle.
Data reviewed July 3, 2026 · 50 states, 221 cities, FY2026 GSA rates
Pay and rent figures on this page are our own editorial estimates, reviewed July 31, 2026 — not survey or government wage data. How we produce these numbers.
Economics Verdict
Ceiling Covers Rent: Seattle Travel Nursing
GSA Housing Cap (Weekly)
$1,316–$1,785/wk
≈ $5,698–$7,729/mo, by season
Avg Rent (1BR)
$2,100/mo
Margin
$3,598 to $5,629/mo
Even the lowest GSA rate is 2.7x average 1BR rent
Judged on the lowest GSA rate of the year, not the peak. A ceiling is the most a tax-free housing stipend can be, not what an offer pays, and it is not extra pocket money: a stipend is meant to reimburse real lodging costs for a traveler with a valid tax home.
How the numbers here are checked
Tax figures are computed from published IRS and SSA sources and per diem from GSA, each carrying a citation and a retrieval date; our build fails if any loses one. Pay, rent and cost-of-living figures are our own editorial estimates. This page has not been reviewed by a licensed professional — see our methodology, and consult a CPA about your own situation.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Federal tax applies to wages after the $16,100 standard deduction; FICA applies to all wages. Tax-free stipends are excluded from both.
Same-state assignment, and WA levies no wage income tax, so no state income tax return is due on these wages.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$125.47
Based on 36 hours in WA.
Gross Weekly Pay
$4,517
Taxable Weekly Income
$2,088
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$449
True Net Weekly Pay
$4,068
Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$52,880
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$105,761
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$211,521
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$4,068
per week
Taxes
$449
per week
Total Gross: $4,517 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$1,785
≈ $7,729/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Seattle
$2,100
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$5,629
Your stipend covers rent with $5,629 left over each month.
Find apartments under $2,100/month in Seattle:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Seattle
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Seattle's cost of living is higher than the national average by 72.3 points.
💡 High cost of living area. Ensure your pay compensates for the increased expenses.
Rent figures are our own editorial estimates, not survey or listings data. Actual rent varies by neighborhood and housing type.
Resources for Your Assignment
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Staff vs. Travel Nurse in Seattle, Washington
An annual take-home comparison under stated assumptions. Change any input to match your own offers.
Staff Nurse
Weekly Gross
$1,512
Weekly Take-Home (before state income tax)
$1,233
Annual Take-Home (before state income tax) (52 weeks)
$64,142
Travel Nurse
Weekly Gross (incl. stipends)
$4,517
Weekly Take-Home (before state income tax) (while working)
$4,082
Annual Take-Home (before state income tax) (48 weeks)
$195,930
Under these assumptions, the travel contract nets $131,788 more per year
Travel is counted for 48 weeks and staff for 52, so the weekly gap while working is $2,848 in travel's favor.
How this is calculated: single filer, 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and FICA (SSA). Only the taxable wage is taxed; stipends are treated as tax-free, which requires a valid tax home. State income tax is not included on either side because it depends on your tax home as well as the assignment state; the Pay Calculator handles that where we have a sourced schedule.
Assumptions: the travel taxable rate is our editorial estimate for this place, the stipend is the GSA lodging plus meals-and-incidentals ceiling (the most a stipend can be, so real offers are often lower), and the staff rate is an editorial estimate relative to the travel rate. All are editable under "Customize & Detail". Staff benefits (health insurance, retirement match, paid leave) and travel costs (a second household, licensing, gaps between contracts) are not valued.
Want a detailed breakdown customized for your situation?
Travel Nurse Pay in Seattle
Average Hourly Rate
$58/hr
Average Weekly Pay
$2,320
GSA Lodging Rate
$255/night
GSA Meal Rate (M&IE)
$92/day
Cost of Living in Seattle
Cost of Living Index
172.3 (Above National Average)
Studio
$1800/mo
1 Bedroom
$2100/mo
2 Bedroom
$2800/mo
Does the Stipend Cover Rent in Seattle?
GSA sets Seattle's lodging ceiling by season. It is $255/night in Jun–Oct and $188/night in Nov–May, a $469 per week swing in the most a housing stipend can legally be.
| Period | GSA lodging | Weekly ceiling | Monthly ceiling | vs $2,100 rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun–Oct | $255/night | $1,785 | $7,729 | +$5,629/mo |
| Nov–May | $188/night | $1,316 | $5,698 | +$3,598/mo |
A contract that starts in Jun–Oct is covered by the higher ceiling; one that starts in Nov–May is capped at the lower one. The rate that applies is set by the month you work, so a contract that crosses a boundary can span both.
Source: GSA FY2027 per diem rates, converted at 4.33 weeks per month. Rent is our editorial one-bedroom estimate, not a listings survey. See the full month-by-month schedule on the Seattle GSA rates page, or test an actual offer in the stipend calculator.
How Seattle Compares in Washington
- Estimated taxable pay: 1st highest of 5 tracked Washington cities ($58/hr, editorial estimate).
- GSA lodging ceiling (annual peak): 1st highest of 5 ($255/night).
- One-bedroom rent: 5th lowest of 5 ($2,100/mo, editorial estimate).
Other Washington cities: Bellingham, Spokane, Tacoma, Yakima. State overview: Washington travel nurse pay.
Top Hospitals in Seattle
- 🏥 UW Medical Center
- 🏥 Swedish Medical Center
- 🏥 Virginia Mason Medical Center
Specialty Pay in Seattle
Estimated hourly rates for the specialties most in demand here. Click any specialty for certifications, demand and national pay detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel nurses make in Seattle, Washington?
Travel nurses in Seattle typically earn between $53 and $68 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $58/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $68-83 per hour.
What are the GSA rates for Seattle, Washington?
The GSA per diem rates for Seattle are: Lodging: $255/night, and Meals & Incidental Expenses (M&IE): $92/day — GSA publishes M&IE as a single combined rate, not a separate incidentals figure. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts travel nurses can receive. For official rates, visit [GSA.gov](https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates).
What is the cost of living in Seattle?
The cost of living index in Seattle is 172.3, which is above the national average. Average rent ranges from $1800 for a studio to $2800 for a two-bedroom apartment.
Does the GSA housing stipend cover rent in Seattle?
It depends on the month. GSA's lodging ceiling for Seattle is $255/night ($7,729/month) in Jun–Oct and $188/night ($5,698/month) in Nov–May. Against our editorial one-bedroom estimate of $2,100/month, that is $5,629 in Jun–Oct and $3,598 in Nov–May. A ceiling is the most a stipend can be, not what an offer pays, so check the offer's actual stipend.
When should a travel nurse start a contract in Seattle for the highest stipend ceiling?
GSA's lodging rate for Seattle is highest in Jun–Oct ($255/night) and lowest in Nov–May ($188/night), a $469 per week difference in the legal tax-free housing ceiling. A higher ceiling only helps if the agency actually pays a larger stipend, so ask for the stipend by week.
What hospitals hire travel nurses in Seattle?
Top hospitals in Seattle that frequently hire travel nurses include UW Medical Center, Swedish Medical Center, Virginia Mason Medical Center, and others. These facilities offer competitive pay rates and excellent working conditions for travel nurses.
What specialties are in demand in Seattle?
The most in-demand specialties for travel nurses in Seattle include ICU, ER, OR. These specialties typically offer higher pay rates and more contract opportunities.