Tools

Travel Nurse Pay Calculator

Take a contract and see what you'll actually take home — after federal, state, and FICA tax on the taxable wage portion only. Non-taxable stipend is tax-free if you maintain a tax home.
Hours per week
Taxable hourly rate
Weekly stipend (non-taxable)
Assignment state
Contracts per year
Weekly take-home
$2,131/wk net
Gross / week
$2,408
Taxable wage
$1,008
Stipend (non-tax)
$1,400
Estimated tax
$277
Annual gross
$109,564
45.5 weeks worked
Annual tax
$12,590
Fed + CA + FICA on taxable wage
ACA health (gap weeks)
$5,100
6.5 unpaid weeks/yr
Annual net
$91,874
After tax + health

How this calculator works

Travel nurse pay splits into two parts on every contract. The taxable hourly wage is treated as regular W-2 income and taxed at federal + state + FICA rates. The non-taxable stipend covers housing, meals, and incidentals while you're away from your tax home — if you legitimately maintain a tax home and the assignment is temporary (under 12 months), this portion isn't taxed.

This calculator applies a simplified blended federal rate, a state rate you choose, and the standard 7.65% FICA on the taxable wage only. It does not model itemized deductions, retirement contributions, or local taxes. Use it for contract-vs-contract comparisons, not as a substitute for tax advice.

For a deeper explanation of travel pay structure, see the travel nurse pay guide. To compare against staff pay, see staff vs travel nursing.

Estimates only. Not tax advice. State tax rates are 2026 single-filer effective brackets at typical travel-nurse income levels; your actual rate may differ. The non-taxable stipend treatment requires a legitimate tax home (a permanent residence with ongoing housing costs that you return to between contracts) and a temporary assignment (under 12 months).