Registered Nurse Tax Calculator 2026
Estimate a registered nurse's 2026 federal take-home pay and see the deductions RNs most often miss.
Tax breakdown on $94,000
Approximate 2026 U.S. median for registered nurses (BLS OES). Federal only — add your state income tax with the calculators below. Excludes credits, other income, and (for 1099) business deductions and the QBI deduction.
Take-home at different nurse salaries
| Gross | Federal income tax | FICA | Annual take-home | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $66,000 | $5,740 | $5,049 | $55,211 | $4,601 |
| $80,000 | $8,770 | $6,120 | $65,110 | $5,426 |
| $94,000 | $11,850 | $7,191 | $74,959 | $6,247 |
| $108,000 | $14,930 | $8,262 | $84,808 | $7,067 |
| $127,000 | $19,214 | $9,716 | $98,071 | $8,173 |
How registered nurse taxes work
Most registered nurses are W-2 employees of a hospital or health system, so taxes — federal income tax plus Social Security and Medicare — are withheld from each paycheck. Overtime, shift differentials, and per-diem work can push nurses into a higher marginal bracket than the base salary alone suggests.
Travel nurses are a special case: a true tax-home and qualifying stipends (housing, meals, incidentals) can be non-taxable, but only if you maintain a genuine tax home and meet IRS distance and duplication-of-expenses rules. Get those facts right before treating any stipend as tax-free.
Tax notes for nurses
- Unreimbursed scrubs, licensing/renewal fees, and required CEUs are no longer deductible as W-2 employee expenses (suspended through 2025) — but may be reimbursable pre-tax through an employer.
- Overtime premium pay may qualify for the new OBBBA overtime deduction (up to $12,500 single / $25,000 MFJ).
- 401(k) and 403(b) contributions reduce taxable income — common and valuable for hospital employees.
- Travel-nurse stipends are only tax-free with a legitimate tax home; otherwise they are taxable wages.
Nurse tax FAQs
How much does a nurse take home after taxes in 2026?
A single nurse earning about $94,000 takes home roughly $74,959 a year (about $6,247 per month) after federal income tax and Social Security and Medicare — an effective federal rate of about 20.26%. This is before any state income tax and before 401(k)/HSA contributions.
How much does a nurse take home after taxes in 2026?
A single registered nurse earning about $94,000 takes home roughly the figure shown above after federal income tax and FICA — before any state income tax or 401(k)/403(b) contributions, which would lower the tax further. Your actual take-home depends on your state, filing status, and benefits.
Can nurses deduct scrubs and licensing fees?
For W-2 nurses, unreimbursed work expenses like scrubs, licenses, and CEUs are not deductible on a federal return through 2025 due to the suspension of miscellaneous itemized deductions. Ask whether your employer offers pre-tax reimbursement instead.
Do travel nurses pay less tax?
Sometimes. Qualifying travel-nurse stipends for housing and meals can be non-taxable, but only if you maintain a genuine tax home and meet IRS rules. If you don't, the stipends are taxable wages. The base hourly pay is always taxable.