Compare two PT offers by what you keep
Put two travel contracts side by side, or a travel contract next to a staff job. See the weekly gross, how much of it is taxable, and whether the stipends hold up. Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or saved.
This is an estimate, not tax advice. It does not work out income tax. It shows the taxable share of each offer so you can ask the right questions before you sign.
Side by side
| Each week | Offer A | Offer B |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly gross | $0 | $0 |
| Taxable wages | $0 | $0 |
| Housing and meal stipends | $0 | $0 |
| Counted as taxable | $0 | $0 |
| Taxable share | 0% | 0% |
| Not counted as taxable | $0 | $0 |
| Blended hourly | $0 | $0 |
| Whole contract | Offer A | Offer B |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks | 13 | 13 |
| Gross | $0 | $0 |
| Counted as taxable | $0 | $0 |
| Not counted as taxable | $0 | $0 |
Enter an hourly rate and hours for both offers to compare them.
An estimate, not tax advice. The taxable share is not your tax bill, and income tax is not estimated here.
Opens Pat on the job board with a short summary of these numbers in the message box. Nothing is sent until you press send.
How the calculator works
Weekly gross and taxable wages
Taxable wages are the hourly rate times the hours per week. Weekly gross adds the housing and meal stipends. The blended hourly rate is gross divided by hours, so a travel package can sit next to a staff rate. Overtime, bonuses and benefits are not included.
Stipends and the GSA rate
Stipends are compared with the GSA standard rate for the continental United States in fiscal year 2027: $113 a night for lodging ($791 a week) and $68 a day for meals and incidentals ($476 a week), in effect October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. The amount above it is counted as taxable. Many cities have a higher local rate, so look up the assignment location at gsa.gov/perdiem. Source: GSA notice in the Federal Register, checked October 29, 2026.
Tax home
Housing and meal stipends are paid untaxed only when you keep a qualifying tax home and pay duplicate living costs while on assignment. Without one, the stipends are taxable income, and the calculator counts the whole package as taxable. If you are not sure, it shows both cases. A tax professional can tell you which applies to you.
State wage tax
Choosing a state shows whether it taxes wage income, from our state guide, checked October 23, 2026. The state you live in may tax this income too. The calculator does not estimate state or federal tax amounts.