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Your real
take-home pay.

Type in your offer details. See your weekly net + full 13-week breakdown in real time. No fluff, no fees, no email gate.

Just want the stipend portion?
Try the Stipend Calculator →
Lighter version — just enter your ZIP, see the IRS-allowed max housing + meals stipend for that location. Live GSA FY2026 rates.

Your offer

Defaults are a typical 13-week ICU package. Edit any field — totals update live.

$

Just the W2 hourly — not the bill rate.

3×12 = 36 · 4×12 = 48

$

Tax-free if you maintain a tax home.

$

GSA-based, also tax-free.

Enter the assignment ZIP — we pull the IRS-max housing + meals stipend for that location.

Beyond base hours.

Usually 1.5× over 40 hrs.

$

Paid at end of contract. Taxable.

Standard travel contract is 13.

Where you maintain your permanent home.

Affects federal bracket.

Stipends are tax-free ONLY if you maintain a permanent tax home. That means paying for housing in your home state, not staying at one assignment over 12 months, and having "duplicated expenses." If you don't, the IRS reclassifies stipends as taxable — your real take-home drops sharply. Learn the rules.

Weekly take-home

$0

After federal, FICA, and state taxes on taxable income

13-week total

$0

Effective $/hr

$0

Weekly gross composition

0% taxable
0% stipends
Weekly gross taxable$0
Weekly stipends (tax-free)$0
Weekly gross$0
− Federal tax$0
− FICA (7.65%)$0
− State tax (GA)$0
Weekly net$0

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Tax Home 101

Why stipends can become taxable

Lodging stipends and M&IE per diem are non-taxable reimbursements for duplicated expenses — meaning the IRS treats them as money you spend to cover housing/meals in your assignment city while also paying for housing back home. If you don't actually have a "tax home," they reclassify the stipends as ordinary income and you owe taxes on every dollar.

Rule 1

Maintain a permanent home

Lease, mortgage, or owned. Family/parents' house generally doesn't count unless you're paying rent and contributing to expenses.

Rule 2

Duplicate expenses

You're paying for housing in two places at once — your tax-home city AND your assignment city.

Rule 3

12-month rule

Don't stay at one assignment longer than 12 months. After that, the IRS considers it your new tax home.

This is informational, not tax advice. Consult a CPA who specializes in travel nurses for your specific situation. Travel Nursing Compass is not a tax advisor.

Estimate only. Uses 2024 federal brackets, standard deduction, 7.65% FICA, and approximate state effective rates. Does not account for benefit deductions, 401(k), local taxes, or itemized deductions. Your actual take-home depends on your filing situation, withholding choices, and credit eligibility. Always verify with your agency's payroll team.