Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in La Crosse, Wisconsin
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Medical-Surgical travel nurses heading to La Crosse.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Med-Surg)
$44/hr
La Crosse, WI
Total Weekly Package
$2,963
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,411
After ~31.65% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Med-Surg in La Crosse
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,334/mo
$110/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 88.5
Monthly Margin
+2,334/mo
Stipend covers rent
Wisconsin Med-Surg Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,745
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,218
Annual Potential
$90,764
Tax estimate: 7.65% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in La Crosse
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for La Crosse's GSA rates and cost of living index of 88.5.
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 — La Crosse
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Med-Surg travel nurses working in La Crosse. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$110/night
$770/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,218
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 Med-Surg Travel Nurses in Wisconsin
Med-Surg Certifications Required
- BLS
- 1+ years Med-Surg experience
Wisconsin Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Travel Nurses in La Crosse
- Gundersen Health
- Mayo Clinic Health System
- Winona Health
Other Specialties in La Crosse
ICU
~$50/hr
Very HighER
~$49/hr
Very HighOR
~$51/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$47/hr
HighPACU
~$48/hr
HighNICU
~$49/hr
HighPICU
~$50/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$46/hr
HighOther Wisconsin Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses
Appleton
~$38/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95
Eau Claire
~$38/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95
Madison
~$46/hr Med-Surg
COL: 102.5
Milwaukee
~$44/hr Med-Surg
COL: 95.2
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in La Crosse?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses in La Crosse earn approximately $44/hr in taxable wages ($1,745/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,218/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,963. Annual potential is $90,764 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for La Crosse?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for La Crosse are: Lodging $110/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,218. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is La Crosse affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in La Crosse is 88.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,334/month, leaving a surplus of $2,334/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do Med-Surg travel nurses need for Wisconsin assignments?
Medical-Surgical travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. For Wisconsin specifically: Wisconsin is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in La Crosse without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in La Crosse hire Med-Surg travel nurses?
Top hospitals in La Crosse that hire Medical-Surgical travel nurses include: Gundersen Health, Mayo Clinic Health System, Winona Health. Med-Surg is in very high demand nationally — facilities in La Crosse actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
Looking for a contract?
Get matched with top-paying recruiters in your desired state.