Wilmington, NC per-diem rate (FY2026)
The GSA federal ceiling for tax-free housing & meal stipends on a travel-nurse assignment in Wilmington (New Hanover County).
$221 / day max
| Lodging / night | $110–$147 |
| M&IE / full day | $74 |
| M&IE first/last day (75%) | $55.5 |
| Weekly tax-free ceiling | $1,547 |
| 13-week assignment ceiling | $20,111 |
Source: GSA FY2026, effective 2025-10-01.
Check your offer
Seasonal lodging rates
Lodging in Wilmington changes by season. M&IE stays $74/day all year.
| Season | Lodging / night |
|---|---|
| October 1 – October 31 | $147 |
| November 1 – February 28 | $110 |
| March 1 – September 30 | $147 |
What this means for travel nurses
When you take an assignment in Wilmington, your agency builds a pay package from a taxable hourly base plus tax-free stipends for housing and meals. Those stipends can only be paid tax-free up to the GSA per-diem ceiling above — roughly $1,547/week. If a recruiter quotes a housing stipend far above this, ask how the package is structured; the excess may be taxable, and an artificially low taxable base carries its own IRS risk. To keep stipends tax-free you must also maintain a legitimate tax home.
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance — Between contracts, or on an assignment without benefits? SafetyWing's flexible, month-to-month Nomad Insurance is built for people on the move. See SafetyWing
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the 2026 per diem rate for Wilmington, NC?
- For FY2026, the GSA per-diem rate for Wilmington, NC is $110–$147 for lodging (seasonal) plus $74 for meals and incidentals (M&IE), for up to $221 per day.
- How much can my travel-nurse housing stipend be in Wilmington?
- Agencies can generally pay up to the GSA ceiling tax-free: about $1,547 per week (lodging + M&IE) in Wilmington. Amounts above that may be taxable. Use the calculator on this page to check a specific offer.
- What is the M&IE first and last day rate?
- On travel days you get 75% of the daily M&IE, which is $55.5 for Wilmington.
This page is general educational information, not tax, legal, or financial advice. Per-diem rates can change and may have seasonal variations; always confirm with the official GSA rates and a qualified travel-nurse tax professional before relying on them.