Travel nurse stipends in California
Federal GSA per diem rates for FY2027 in California, the ceiling most staffing agencies use for tax-free housing and meal stipends. The table covers the areas around 376 hospitals; 32 areas have rates above the standard rate.
FY2027 GSA rates in California
| Area | Lodging this month | Seasonal range | Meals per day | Weekly maximum | HUD 1-bed rent | Hospitals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa MonicaSanta Monica | $283 | Same all year | $92 | $2,625 | $2,328 | 2 |
| San FranciscoSan Francisco | $279 | $232 to $325 | $92 | $2,597 | $2,510 | 13 |
| NapaNapa, Saint Helena | $266 | $194 to $266 | $92 | $2,506 | $2,526 | 3 |
| Sunnyvale / Palo Alto / San JoseSan Jose, Palo Alto, Santa Clara | $218 | Same all year | $92 | $2,170 | $3,650 | 11 |
| San Mateo / Foster City / BelmontRedwood City, Burlingame, Daly City | $217 | $194 to $217 | $86 | $2,121 | $3,020 | 6 |
| Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, Lompoc, Santa Maria | $214 | $214 to $277 | $92 | $2,142 | $2,420 | 6 |
| San DiegoSan Diego, La Jolla, La Mesa | $208 | $208 to $249 | $86 | $2,058 | $3,110 | 22 |
| Los AngelesLos Angeles, Long Beach, Anaheim | $199 | Same all year | $86 | $1,995 | $2,328 | 119 |
| South Lake TahoePlacerville, South Lake Tahoe | $198 | $168 to $262 | $86 | $1,988 | $1,580 | 2 |
| MontereySalinas, King City, Monterey | $196 | $196 to $293 | $92 | $2,016 | $2,240 | 4 |
| Palm SpringsRiverside, Moreno Valley, Murrieta | $186 | $141 to $192 | $86 | $1,904 | $1,670 | 17 |
| Yosemite National ParkMariposa | $184 | $184 to $212 | $86 | $1,890 | $1,110 | 1 |
| San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, Templeton | $170 | $170 to $213 | $86 | $1,792 | $2,036 | 3 |
| Mill Valley / San Rafael / NovatoGreenbrae, Novato, San Rafael | $169 | Same all year | $92 | $1,827 | $2,710 | 3 |
| Bakersfield / RidgecrestBakersfield, Delano, Lake Isabella | $164 | Same all year | $74 | $1,666 | $1,020 | 10 |
| Santa RosaSanta Rosa, Healdsburg, Petaluma | $163 | Same all year | $86 | $1,743 | $2,220 | 7 |
| SacramentoSacramento, Carmichael, Folsom | $156 | Same all year | $86 | $1,694 | $1,610 | 14 |
| Death ValleyBishop, Lone Pine | $154 | Same all year | $80 | $1,638 | $1,510 | 2 |
| OaklandOakland, Fremont, San Leandro | $152 | Same all year | $92 | $1,708 | $3,010 | 15 |
| Santa CruzSanta Cruz, Watsonville | $149 | $149 to $181 | $86 | $1,645 | $3,760 | 4 |
| TruckeeGrass Valley, Truckee | $148 | $148 to $178 | $86 | $1,638 | $1,230 | 2 |
| West Sacramento / DavisDavis, Woodland | $148 | Same all year | $80 | $1,596 | $1,930 | 2 |
| Antioch / Brentwood / ConcordAntioch, Concord, Walnut Creek | $147 | Same all year | $86 | $1,631 | $2,190 | 8 |
| Mammoth LakesMammoth Lakes | $146 | $146 to $208 | $86 | $1,624 | $1,520 | 1 |
| OakhurstMadera | $137 | Same all year | $80 | $1,519 | $1,340 | 3 |
| StocktonStockton, Manteca, French Camp | $137 | Same all year | $74 | $1,477 | $1,230 | 8 |
| FresnoFresno, Clovis, Coalinga | $136 | Same all year | $86 | $1,554 | $2,010 | 8 |
| VisaliaPorterville, Tulare, Visalia | $136 | Same all year | $80 | $1,512 | $990 | 4 |
| Point Arena / GualalaFort Bragg, Ukiah, Willits | $134 | Same all year | $86 | $1,540 | $1,300 | 3 |
| Tahoe CityRoseville, Auburn | $132 | Same all year | $86 | $1,526 | $2,140 | 3 |
| Eureka / Arcata / McKinleyvilleEureka, Arcata, Fortuna | $130 | $130 to $181 | $86 | $1,512 | $1,090 | 5 |
| Barstow / Ontario / VictorvilleLoma Linda, Chino, San Bernardino | $129 | Same all year | $86 | $1,505 | $1,670 | 22 |
| Rest of the state (standard rate)Modesto, Redding, Vallejo | $113 | Same all year | $68 | $1,267 | $1,170 | 43 |
Weekly maximum is seven nights of lodging plus seven days of meals and incidentals at this month's rate. HUD rent is the FY2026 fair market rent for an unfurnished one-bedroom with basic utilities; furnished monthly rentals usually cost more. Sources: GSA and HUD.
How to use these rates
A weekly stipend is usually quoted as lodging plus meals and incidentals for seven days. Agencies set the actual amount, often below these ceilings, and the stipend is only tax-free if you keep a tax home you pay for. Read the tax home rules before you sign. The stipend calculator adds up a contract night by night when rates change by season.
Cities with the most hospitals in California
- Los Angeles19 hospitals · estimate a contract
- San Francisco13 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Sacramento10 hospitals · estimate a contract
- San Diego9 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Bakersfield6 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Long Beach6 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Anaheim5 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Fresno5 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Oakland5 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Orange5 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Riverside4 hospitals · estimate a contract
- San Jose4 hospitals · estimate a contract
Questions about stipends in California
What is the travel nurse stipend in California?
Most agencies cap the tax-free stipend at the GSA per diem rate. In FY2027, the standard rate in California is $113 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, up to $1,267 a week. 32 areas pay more; the highest this month is Santa Monica at $283 a night.
Which part of California has the highest lodging rate?
Santa Monica (Santa Monica) at $283 a night this month, or up to $2,625 a week with meals and incidentals.
Do agencies have to pay the full GSA rate?
No. Agencies set their own stipends, often at or below the GSA rate, and some move part of the pay between the hourly rate and the stipend. Payments above the federal rate are generally taxable. You also need a tax home for the stipend to be tax-free.
When do these rates change?
Every October 1, when the federal fiscal year starts. FY2027 rates apply from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Some areas also change by season within the year.