How to Compare Travel Nurse Contracts
A travel nurse contract should not be judged by the weekly gross number alone. Compare the taxable hourly rate, guaranteed hours, overtime rule, housing stipend, meal stipend, reimbursements, cancellation language, and whether the stipend position is supportable.
This calculator keeps taxable wages separate from stipends because W-2 wages, payroll tax, Social Security earnings, mortgage qualification, and disability insurance may be affected by how much of the package is treated as taxable wage.
Why Stipend Risk Matters
If your tax home or duplicated-expense position is weak, the amount shown as tax-free stipend may become taxable. That can change the true value of the contract. For this reason, a high-stipend contract is not always better than a higher taxable-rate contract.
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FAQ
What is blended rate?
Blended rate spreads taxable wages and stipends across total hours to estimate the practical hourly value of the contract. It is useful for comparison, but it can hide stipend tax risk.
Should I choose the contract with the highest stipend?
Not always. A larger stipend may be attractive, but only if your tax-home facts and documentation support non-taxable treatment.