Travel Nurse Pay in Appleton, Wisconsin: 2026 Cost of Living & GSA Rates

Economic analysis: GSA housing caps, average rent, and profitability verdict for travel nurses in Appleton.

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

Profitable: Appleton Travel Nursing

GSA Housing Cap (Weekly)

$770/wk

≈ $3,334.1/mo

Avg Rent (1BR)

$1,000/mo

Margin

+$2,334.1/mo

Stipend covers rent

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.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the highest GSA lodging ceiling for Wisconsin ($980/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Tax on your wages
Federal income tax (2026 brackets)$44/wk
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)$55/wk
State income taxnot available

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 — you file one resident return in your home state.

State income tax not included

We do not yet have a sourced bracket schedule for this state, so we are not estimating its income tax. A wrong state figure is worse than none. Federal and FICA figures above are complete and sourced; your true net pay will be lower than gross by more than the amounts shown, so we are not displaying a net figure for this state.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$58.89

Based on 36 hours in WI.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,120

Taxable Weekly Income

$720

Estimated Weekly Taxes

True Net Weekly Pay

Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

per week

Taxes

per week

Total Gross: $2,120 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$1,000

$4,330/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Wisconsin

$1,000

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$3,330

Your stipend covers rent with $3,330 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,000/month in Milwaukee:

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Is this pay package fair?

Based on $1,760/week in Wisconsin

Comparison Battle

Staff vs. Travel Nurse in Appleton, Wisconsin

Side-by-side budget comparison for 2026. Which employment mode wins?

Staff Nurse

Weekly Gross

$1,152

Weekly Take-Home

$829

Annual Net (52 weeks)

$43,131

Travel Nurse

WINNER

Weekly Gross (incl. stipends)

$2,830

Weekly Take-Home

$2,450

Annual Net (~48 weeks)

$117,592

Travel nursing wins by $74,461/year

That's $1,620/week difference in take-home pay

Want a detailed breakdown customized for your situation?

Travel Nurse Pay in Appleton

Average Hourly Rate

$44/hr

Average Weekly Pay

$1,760

GSA Lodging Rate

$110/night

GSA Meal Rate

$68/day

Cost of Living in Appleton

Cost of Living Index

95 (Below National Average)

Studio

$800/mo

1 Bedroom

$1000/mo

2 Bedroom

$1300/mo

Top Hospitals in Appleton

  • 🏥 Appleton Regional Medical
  • 🏥 Appleton General Hospital
  • 🏥 Community Health Appleton

Specialty Pay in Appleton

Estimated hourly rates for the specialties most in demand here. Click any specialty for certifications, demand and national pay detail.

See all specialties →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do travel nurses make in Appleton, Wisconsin?

Travel nurses in Appleton typically earn between $39 and $54 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $44/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $49-64 per hour.

What are the GSA rates for Appleton, Wisconsin?

The GSA per diem rates for Appleton are: Lodging: $110/night, Meals: $68/day, and Incidentals: $0/day. 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 Appleton?

The cost of living index in Appleton is 95, which is below the national average. Average rent ranges from $800 for a studio to $1300 for a two-bedroom apartment.

What hospitals hire travel nurses in Appleton?

Top hospitals in Appleton that frequently hire travel nurses include Appleton Regional Medical, Appleton General Hospital, Community Health Appleton, and others. These facilities offer competitive pay rates and excellent working conditions for travel nurses.

What specialties are in demand in Appleton?

The most in-demand specialties for travel nurses in Appleton include Med-Surg, ER, ICU. These specialties typically offer higher pay rates and more contract opportunities.

Resources for Appleton