Every industry with per diem pay
Travel nursing is just the start. StipendIQ covers every profession where workers travel for contracts and receive tax-free stipends.
Built for the way travel pay actually works
Most calculators add your stipend to your gross pay and call it a day. We do the actual math.
GSA-verified stipend rates
Every calculation uses the actual GSA per diem rate for your city — the same data the IRS uses. Updated annually.
Real after-tax take-home
We calculate federal income tax, FICA, and state income tax on your taxable wages — so you see what actually hits your bank.
Agency-agnostic & neutral
We don't work for agencies. We don't get paid per placement. Your calculation is never biased toward any employer.
Every per diem industry
Travel nursing, OTR trucking, linework, underwater welding, pipeline, and construction — all with accurate industry-specific per diem rules.
Side-by-side comparison
Compare multiple job offers simultaneously. See exactly which contract puts more money in your pocket after taxes and stipends.
No account required
The full calculator is free, forever, no email required. Upgrade to Pro to save estimates and access market benchmarks.
Travel nurse pay by city
ICU / Critical Care RN · 13-week assignment · Ranked by weekly take-home
Travel nurse pay isn't just an hourly rate
Your pay package has two buckets — only one gets taxed. Here's exactly how it works.
The portion of your pay taxed at normal income rates. Agencies set this lower to maximize your tax-free stipend. Typically $18–$40/hr depending on specialty.
Tax-free housing allowance based on the federal GSA rate for your city. $107/day in rural areas up to $352/day in NYC. 100% tax-free with a valid tax home.
Daily tax-free allowance for food and miscellaneous expenses. $59–$79/day depending on location. Added to your lodging stipend for total weekly tax-free income.
Federal tax + FICA + state income tax withheld from your taxable wages only. The stipend is never taxed. StipendIQ calculates this entire stack automatically.
Travel nurse pay — answered
Yes — if you maintain a legitimate tax home. The IRS allows tax-free housing and meal stipends when you're working temporarily away from your primary residence. You must meet at least 2 of 3 IRS criteria and maintain duplicate living expenses.
The General Services Administration (GSA) sets daily lodging and meal allowance rates for every city in the US. These rates are the maximum amount agencies can pay as tax-free stipends. They range from $107/day in rural areas to $352/day in NYC.
Our take-home estimates are based on 2024–25 GSA rates and current IRS federal/state tax tables. They're accurate for typical situations but every nurse's tax situation is different. Always verify with a CPA who specializes in travel healthcare workers.
Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington, and Tennessee have no state income tax — meaning 5–9% more take-home pay than California or New York for the same contract. Our city pages show exact take-home for each location.
Yes. The free Compare tab lets you enter multiple offers and see them side by side. Pro users can save up to 10 offers, export PDFs, and access market rate benchmarks for their specialty and city.
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