OR Travel Nurse Salary in Appleton, Wisconsin
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Operating Room travel nurses heading to Appleton.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (OR)
$45/hr
Appleton, WI
Total Weekly Package
$2,926
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,359
After ~31.65% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: OR in Appleton
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 95
Monthly Margin
+1,970/mo
Stipend covers rent
Wisconsin OR Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for OR travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,792
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$93,184
Tax estimate: 7.65% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your OR Pay in Appleton
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Appleton's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 7.65% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$74.53
Based on 36 hours in WI.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,683
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,584
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$501
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,182
Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.
Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,362
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$56,723
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$113,447
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,182
per week
Taxes
$501
per week
Total Gross: $2,683 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Wisconsin
$1,000
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$1,970
Your stipend covers rent with $1,970 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,000/month in Milwaukee:
Affiliate link
We may earn a commission if you book through our link.
Cost of Living Analysis in Wisconsin
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Wisconsin's cost of living is lower than the national average by 3.9 points.
Housing Cost: Moderate
Utilities: Moderate
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
Resources for Your Assignment
These are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Appleton
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for OR travel nurses working in Appleton. 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 OR Travel Nurses in Wisconsin
OR Certifications Required
- BLS
- 2+ years OR experience
- CNOR preferred
Wisconsin Licensing
Hospitals Hiring OR Travel Nurses in Appleton
- Appleton Regional Medical
- Appleton General Hospital
- Community Health Appleton
Other Specialties in Appleton
ICU
~$44/hr
Very HighER
~$43/hr
Very HighLabor & Delivery
~$42/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$38/hr
Very HighPACU
~$42/hr
HighNICU
~$43/hr
HighPICU
~$44/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$39/hr
ModerateOncology
~$41/hr
HighOther Wisconsin Cities for OR Travel Nurses
Eau Claire
~$45/hr OR
COL: 95
La Crosse
~$51/hr OR
COL: 88.5
Madison
~$54/hr OR
COL: 102.5
Milwaukee
~$51/hr OR
COL: 95.2
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do OR travel nurses make in Appleton?
Operating Room travel nurses in Appleton earn approximately $45/hr in taxable wages ($1,792/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,926. Annual potential is $93,184 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Appleton?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Appleton 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 Appleton affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Appleton is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $1,970/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do OR travel nurses need for Wisconsin assignments?
Operating Room travel nurses need: BLS, 2+ years OR experience, CNOR preferred. For Wisconsin specifically: Wisconsin is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Appleton without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Appleton hire OR travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Appleton that hire Operating Room travel nurses include: Appleton Regional Medical, Appleton General Hospital, Community Health Appleton. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open OR positions in Appleton.
Looking for a contract?
Get matched with top-paying recruiters in your desired state.