Travel Nursing · Pay Calculator
Med-Surg Travel Nurses Pay Calculator — 2026
Medical-surgical travel nurses fill the highest volume of open contracts in travel nursing. While pay is lower than critical care, med-surg travelers can still earn $1,600–$2,200/week — a significant step up from most staff RN salaries.
Typical weekly package
$1,814–$3,118
Taxable hourly rate
$24–$38/hr
Housing stipend
$700–$1400/wk
Demand
Very High
Your true take-home breakdown
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Med-Surg Travel Nurses: Pay, Demand & What to Expect
Typical pay breakdown
Med-Surg Travel Nurses travel contracts typically include a taxable hourly rate of $24–$38/hour (W-2 wages), plus tax-free housing stipends of $700–$1400/week and M&IE stipends of $250–$350/week. The total package ranges from $1,814–$3,118/week before taxes.
The tax-free stipends are the key to travel nursing's earning power. Because housing and M&IE stipends are not subject to federal income tax or FICA (when IRS and GSA rules are met), your effective take-home pay is significantly higher than a staff nurse earning a similar gross salary. The calculator above shows your exact after-tax take-home based on your specific contract details.
Hot markets
The highest-paying med-surg travel nurses contracts are currently concentrated in: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Arizona. Pay varies significantly by state — California contracts are often 20–40% higher than the national average due to mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios and high cost of living.
Strategy tip
Med-surg travelers who float comfortably to PCU (step-down) or ortho/surg units have the most contracts and best rates. California med-surg is a special case — mandatory 5:1 ratios push California med-surg packages to $2,000–$2,600/week, often matching national ICU rates in other states.
Tax-free stipend eligibility
To receive housing and M&IE stipends tax-free, you must maintain a bona fide tax home — a permanent residence you return to and have ongoing costs for (rent, mortgage, utilities). The IRS considers whether you are duplicating living expenses away from home. Working in your home metro for more than 12 months may disqualify your stipends. The calculator's GSA compliance and tax-home risk sections flag these scenarios automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do med-surg travel nurses make?
Med-surg travel nurses typically earn $1,600–$2,200/week nationally. California is the exception — mandatory 5:1 ratios and high cost of living push California med-surg packages to $2,000–$2,600/week. Med-surg is the best entry-point specialty for first-time travelers because of the sheer volume of available contracts.
Is med-surg a good specialty to start travel nursing?
Yes — med-surg has the most travel contracts of any specialty, the broadest geographic availability, and lower acuity requirements that make orientation faster. The tradeoff is lower pay than critical care specialties. For new travelers, starting in med-surg while building additional skills toward telemetry or ICU is a common and effective career path.
Can med-surg nurses float to other units as travelers?
It depends on your contract. Some contracts explicitly prohibit floating to ICU or ED. Others allow floating to step-down or PCU. Read your contract carefully — you are entitled to refuse floating to units where you're not competent. If floating is expected, negotiate a float premium before signing.
Other travel nurse specialties
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