How much do you really make as a travel nurse?

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Specializes in Pediatric BSN, RN.

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My fiancé may be getting a job in San Francisco and I struggle to believe we will be able to afford life there. I've looked into travel nursing in that area and see assignments from 2k-4k a week. How much of that money actually goes to you? does the agency take part of it?

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The basics of travel nursing can be found on most agency sites. They include a taxable hourly pay, a housing stipend (or paid housing), per diem stipend, and travel allowance. Marketing will vary with some agencies quoting the entire compensation package, such as 4K.  Call them up and ask for a breakdown. Some will quote a weekly net pay after estimated taxes.

For travelers working away from home, usually only the hourly pay is taxable. If you are living with your fiancé, the stipends will also be taxable, which for travelers with a tax home is the majority of compensation, at least in normal times.

I would suggest trying for a staff job in SF if you are going  to be living there. All the hospitals are unionized and pay will based on years of experience. I doubt you would get paid less than $60 an hour (likely scale for 2 years of experience) and the benefits are far, far better than any agency can offer.

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Specializes in Occupational Health.

Figure out a way to turn human excrement into gold and you're on easy street (hint: you don't have to dig...it's just laying around on the sidewalks!)

Seriously...good look with living in SF...it's not what it used to be!

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Specializes in Medsurg.

It all depends on your stipends and how the taxes. Usually travel nurses bring home close to what their contract amount says. Can't speak for everyone but for me it is.

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Specializes in Pediatric BSN, RN.
On 10/5/2021 at 8:23 AM, sleepwalker said:

Figure out a way to turn human excrement into gold and you're on easy street (hint: you don't have to dig...it's just laying around on the sidewalks!)

Seriously...good look with living in SF...it's not what it used to be!

Probably won't live in san francisco but outside of it like Vallejo

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