Travel nurse stipends in Wisconsin
Federal GSA per diem rates for FY2027 in Wisconsin, the ceiling most staffing agencies use for tax-free housing and meal stipends. The table covers the areas around 140 hospitals; 3 areas have rates above the standard rate.
FY2027 GSA rates in Wisconsin
| Area | Lodging this month | Seasonal range | Meals per day | Weekly maximum | HUD 1-bed rent | Hospitals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MilwaukeeMilwaukee, West Allis, Franklin | $144 | Same all year | $80 | $1,568 | $960 | 13 |
| MadisonMadison, Middleton, Stoughton | $113 | $113 to $138 | $80 | $1,351 | $1,840 | 7 |
| Sturgeon BaySturgeon Bay | $113 | $113 to $139 | $80 | $1,351 | $860 | 1 |
| Rest of the state (standard rate)Green Bay, Appleton, Eau Claire | $113 | Same all year | $68 | $1,267 | $1,250 | 119 |
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 Wisconsin
- Milwaukee8 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Green Bay6 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Madison5 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Appleton2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Eau Claire2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Fond Du Lac2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Janesville2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Kenosha2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- La Crosse2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Marshfield2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Menomonee Falls2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Neenah2 hospitals · estimate a contract
Questions about stipends in Wisconsin
What is the travel nurse stipend in Wisconsin?
Most agencies cap the tax-free stipend at the GSA per diem rate. In FY2027, the standard rate in Wisconsin is $113 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, up to $1,267 a week. 3 areas pay more; the highest this month is Milwaukee at $144 a night.
Which part of Wisconsin has the highest lodging rate?
Milwaukee (Milwaukee, West Allis, Franklin) at $144 a night this month, or up to $1,568 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.