Travel Nurse Stipends: Everything You Need to Know

When it comes to travel nursing, your compensation goes beyond just your hourly wage. Travel nurse stipends play a crucial role in covering any expenses you might have while on the road. And understanding how these stipends work can help you maximize your earnings and make informed decisions about the assignments you take. Our guide will break down everything you need to know about stipends to ensure you’re set up for success in your travel nurse journey.

What Are Travel Nurse Stipends?

Travel nurse stipends are a government regulated per diem that is offered to travelers to help cover expenses like housing, meals, and incidentals. These stipends are a key part of a travel nurse’s compensation package and are often non-taxable if travel nurses maintain a tax home.

How Do Travel Nurse Stipends Work?

Travel nurse stipends are typically included as part of the overall pay package and are given in addition to the hourly wage. The amount varies depending on factors such as the assignment location, assignment pay, and cost of living in that area. It’s important to note that while all qualifying travel nurses will receive stipends for meals and incidentals, housing stipends are only given to nurses who want to find their own accommodations instead of using agency-provided housing.

How Much Is a Travel Nurse Housing Stipend?

With housing stipends for travel nurses, there unfortunately is no set amount that you can expect to receive. Your travel nurse housing stipend is based on the assignment location and cost of living and the duration of your assignment. For example, a housing stipend for an assignment in New York can be higher than a stipend for an assignment in Indiana because the cost of living is higher in New York. There are many pros and cons to taking a housing stipend, so it’s important to work with your recruiter to figure out what travel nurse housing option is the best for you.

How Much Is a Travel Nurse Stipend for Meals and Incidentals?

Just like housing stipends, when it comes to travel nurse stipends for meals and incidentals, the amount varies by your assignment location and depends on the cost of living in that area. The General Services Administration sets per diem rates for federal employees, which travel nursing agencies often use as a reference.

Are Travel Nurse Stipends Taxable?

As long as RNs meet the IRS guidelines to maintaining a tax home, travel nurse stipends can be nontaxable. To qualify, a travel nurse must:

• Have a permanent tax home where they have regular expenses (e.g., mortgage or rent payments).
• Prove that their travel assignments are temporary (typically less than one year in the same location).
• Show that they have significant expenses at their tax home, such as rent, utilities, or mortgage payments.

If a travel nurse does not have a qualifying tax home, stipends may be considered taxable income. It’s always best to work with your recruiter to ensure compliance with IRS regulations.

Start Your Travel Nursing Journey Today!

Are you ready to experience the flexibility, adventure, and competitive compensation of travel nursing? Our team of recruiters is here to help you find the perfect job that aligns with your personal and professional goals. Apply today and let us take care of you so you can focus on taking care of patients.

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