OR Travel Nurse Salary in Tacoma, Washington
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Operating Room travel nurses heading to Tacoma.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (OR)
$57/hr
Tacoma, WA
Total Weekly Package
$3,688
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$3,141
After ~24% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: OR in Tacoma
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,001/mo
$132/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,400/mo
COL index: 115.5
Monthly Margin
+2,601/mo
Stipend covers rent
Washington OR Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for OR travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,281
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,407
Annual Potential
$118,598
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 Tacoma
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Tacoma's GSA rates and cost of living index of 115.5.
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
$91.78
Based on 36 hours in WA.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,304
Taxable Weekly Income
$2,016
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$484
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,820
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$36,662
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$73,324
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$146,648
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,820
per week
Taxes
$484
per week
Total Gross: $3,304 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$840
≈ $3,637/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Washington
$1,600
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,037
Your stipend covers rent with $2,037 left over each month.
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Cost of Living Analysis in Washington
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Washington's cost of living is higher than the national average by 18.7 points.
Housing Cost: High
Utilities: Moderate
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 — Tacoma
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for OR travel nurses working in Tacoma. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$132/night
$924/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,407
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 Washington
OR Certifications Required
- BLS
- 2+ years OR experience
- CNOR preferred
Washington Licensing
Hospitals Hiring OR Travel Nurses in Tacoma
- MultiCare Tacoma General
- St. Joseph Medical Center
- VA Puget Sound
Other Specialties in Tacoma
ICU
~$56/hr
Very HighER
~$55/hr
Very HighLabor & Delivery
~$53/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$49/hr
Very HighPACU
~$54/hr
HighNICU
~$55/hr
HighPICU
~$56/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$50/hr
ModerateOncology
~$52/hr
HighOther Washington Cities for OR Travel Nurses
Bellingham
~$57/hr OR
COL: 95
Seattle
~$59/hr OR
COL: 172.3
Spokane
~$56/hr OR
COL: 92.5
Yakima
~$57/hr OR
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do OR travel nurses make in Tacoma?
Operating Room travel nurses in Tacoma earn approximately $57/hr in taxable wages ($2,281/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,688. Annual potential is $118,598 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Tacoma?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Tacoma are: Lodging $132/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,407. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Tacoma affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Tacoma is 115.5 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,400/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,001/month, leaving a surplus of $2,601/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do OR travel nurses need for Washington assignments?
Operating Room travel nurses need: BLS, 2+ years OR experience, CNOR preferred. For Washington specifically: Washington is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Tacoma without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Tacoma hire OR travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Tacoma that hire Operating Room travel nurses include: MultiCare Tacoma General, St. Joseph Medical Center, VA Puget Sound. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open OR positions in Tacoma.
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