The most an agency can usually pay you tax-free each week for housing and for meals and incidentals (M&IE), city by city, for federal fiscal year 2027 (October 2026 to September 2027).
| Where | Housing | M&IE | Total a week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everywhere else in Washington (standard rate) | $791/wk | $476/wk | $1,267/wk |
| Everett,Lynnwood | $840/wk | $602/wk | $1,442/wk |
| Ocean Shores | $952/wk | $602/wk | $1,554/wk |
| Olympia,Tumwater | $1,043/wk | $560/wk | $1,603/wk |
| Port Angeles, |
| $917/wk |
| $644/wk |
| $1,561/wk |
| Richland,Pasco | $952/wk | $602/wk | $1,554/wk |
|---|
| Seattle | $1,785/wk | $644/wk | $2,429/wk |
|---|
| Spokane | $882/wk | $602/wk | $1,484/wk |
|---|
| Tacoma | $1,001/wk | $602/wk | $1,603/wk |
|---|
| Vancouver | $1,127/wk | $602/wk | $1,729/wk |
|---|
Source: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) per diem rates. Weekly = the daily rate times 7.
The GSA (the federal General Services Administration) sets the most the government pays its own staff for lodging and for meals and incidentals (M&IE) when they travel. Travel nursing agencies use these same rates as the top of their tax-free housing and meals stipends. Many pay less than the limit.
Stipends are usually tax-free only if you keep a tax home you pay for while you're away. Weekly numbers here are the daily rate times 7.
This is general information, not tax advice. Talk to a tax professional about your situation. Read our guide to stipends and tax homes →