Travel nurse stipends in Florida
Federal GSA per diem rates for FY2027 in Florida, the ceiling most staffing agencies use for tax-free housing and meal stipends. The table covers the areas around 219 hospitals; 22 areas have rates above the standard rate.
FY2027 GSA rates in Florida
| Area | Lodging this month | Seasonal range | Meals per day | Weekly maximum | HUD 1-bed rent | Hospitals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key WestKey West, Marathon, Tavernier | $279 | $267 to $452 | $86 | $2,555 | $2,470 | 3 |
| Boca Raton / Delray Beach / JupiterWest Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach | $186 | $157 to $265 | $86 | $1,904 | $1,830 | 16 |
| Vero BeachSebastian, Vero Beach | $181 | $181 to $259 | $74 | $1,785 | $1,330 | 2 |
| Fort LauderdalePembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood | $180 | $150 to $232 | $86 | $1,862 | $2,000 | 18 |
| NaplesNaples | $170 | $170 to $326 | $80 | $1,750 | $1,890 | 2 |
| Cocoa BeachMelbourne, Titusville, Cocoa Beach | $166 | $166 to $212 | $74 | $1,680 | $1,380 | 8 |
| BradentonBradenton | $157 | $151 to $237 | $80 | $1,659 | $1,510 | 5 |
| St. AugustineSaint Augustine | $157 | $157 to $178 | $80 | $1,659 | $1,500 | 1 |
| Tampa / St. PetersburgSaint Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater | $155 | $155 to $212 | $80 | $1,645 | $1,420 | 23 |
| StuartStuart | $154 | $154 to $238 | $80 | $1,638 | $1,490 | 2 |
| MiamiMiami, Hialeah, Coral Gables | $151 | $151 to $244 | $92 | $1,701 | $2,990 | 20 |
| SebringSebring | $148 | $148 to $236 | $74 | $1,554 | $1,160 | 2 |
| SarasotaSarasota, Englewood, North Port | $146 | $131 to $205 | $86 | $1,624 | $1,330 | 5 |
| OrlandoOrlando, Ocoee | $145 | $145 to $178 | $80 | $1,575 | $2,400 | 9 |
| Fort MyersFort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres | $141 | $141 to $213 | $80 | $1,547 | $1,700 | 5 |
| Gulf BreezeGulf Breeze, Jay, Milton | $131 | $131 to $210 | $74 | $1,435 | $1,670 | 3 |
| Daytona BeachDaytona Beach, Deland, Deltona | $128 | $128 to $158 | $80 | $1,456 | $1,410 | 6 |
| PensacolaPensacola | $127 | $127 to $188 | $74 | $1,407 | $1,310 | 3 |
| Punta GordaPort Charlotte | $127 | $127 to $202 | $74 | $1,407 | $1,100 | 2 |
| Panama CityPanama City | $115 | $115 to $195 | $80 | $1,365 | $1,500 | 3 |
| Fort Walton Beach / De Funiak SpringsCrestview, Defuniak Springs, Eglin Afb | $113 | $113 to $274 | $86 | $1,393 | $1,400 | 6 |
| TallahasseeTallahassee | $113 | $113 to $138 | $80 | $1,351 | $1,280 | 3 |
| Rest of the state (standard rate)Jacksonville, Brooksville, Gainesville | $113 | Same all year | $68 | $1,267 | $1,270 | 72 |
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 Florida
- Miami10 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Jacksonville9 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Orlando8 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Saint Petersburg6 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Tampa6 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Bradenton5 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Hialeah4 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Melbourne4 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Brooksville3 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Fort Myers3 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Gainesville3 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Naples3 hospitals · estimate a contract
Questions about stipends in Florida
What is the travel nurse stipend in Florida?
Most agencies cap the tax-free stipend at the GSA per diem rate. In FY2027, the standard rate in Florida is $113 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, up to $1,267 a week. 22 areas pay more; the highest this month is Key West at $279 a night.
Which part of Florida has the highest lodging rate?
Key West (Key West, Marathon, Tavernier) at $279 a night this month, or up to $2,555 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.