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How to Compare Travel Nurse Pay Packages

Travel nurse pay packages are notoriously confusing. Two offers that both say "$2,800/week" can put vastly different amounts in your pocket depending on how that total is structured. The difference between a good contract and a great contract often comes down to understanding a handful of key numbers.

The 7 Numbers That Actually Matter

• Hourly rate — Your taxable base wage. This is the only portion subject to income tax and FICA. A higher hourly rate means more taxable income but also higher Social Security credits and retirement contributions.
• Housing stipend — Non-taxable if you maintain a qualifying tax home. Some agencies provide housing instead of a stipend; factor in the quality, location, and whether you would prefer to choose your own accommodation.
• Meals & Incidentals (M&IE) — Per diem for food and daily expenses. Non-taxable if you qualify with a valid tax home. GSA rates vary significantly by city.
• Overtime rate and hours — OT can dramatically change total pay. Clarify whether overtime kicks in after 36 or 40 hours, and whether the facility frequently offers extra shifts.
• Travel reimbursement — A one-time or split payment for getting to and from your assignment. This can range from $300 to $1,500 depending on the agency.
• Contract length — A 13-week contract at lower weekly pay can beat an 8-week contract at higher weekly pay in total earnings. Always compare total contract value, not just weekly numbers.
• Your actual housing cost — If you take the stipend and find your own housing, subtract your real rent to see true take-home. A generous stipend in an expensive city might not stretch as far as a moderate stipend in an affordable metro.

Why "Weekly Pay" Is Misleading

Agencies advertise weekly pay as a single number that bundles taxable wages and non-taxable stipends. This makes offers look similar when they are actually structured very differently. An offer with a lower hourly rate but higher stipends might net you more — but only if you have a valid tax home. Without one, those stipends become taxable, and the math changes entirely.

Tax Home Considerations

Your tax home status is the single biggest factor in travel nurse pay. If you maintain a tax home (a permanent residence you return to, where you pay rent or mortgage, and have community ties), your stipends are tax-free. If you do not maintain a tax home, all compensation is taxable, which can reduce your effective pay by 20-30%. Use our Tax Home Quiz to check your status.

How This Calculator Works

This calculator takes all seven key variables for each offer and computes your estimated total contract take-home pay. It factors in taxable wages, non-taxable stipends, your housing costs, overtime, travel reimbursement, and an adjustable tax rate estimate. The result is a true apples-to-apples comparison that shows you which offer actually puts more money in your pocket.

This calculator provides estimates only and does not constitute tax or financial advice. Consult a CPA familiar with travel nursing for personalized guidance.