What Are GSA Rates?
The General Services Administration publishes per diem rates for every county in the US — the maximum daily allowances the government pays its employees for lodging and meals while traveling. Travel therapy agencies use these as benchmarks for your non-taxable stipends.
Two Components
GSA per diem has two parts: a lodging rate (varies significantly by location and month) and a meals & incidentals rate (simpler, $59–$79/day). Both vary by location but lodging has the widest range.
Rates update annually on October 1. Always check current rates for your specific assignment location and dates at gsa.gov/perdiem.
How to Look Up Your Rate
Visit gsa.gov/perdiem, enter your assignment city and state plus your contract dates. You'll see the maximum lodging rate (by month) and M&IE rate. These numbers represent the maximum your agency should use as a basis for your stipends.
GSA Rate vs. Your Actual Stipend
Your stipend may not always match the full GSA rate. Legitimate reasons include: the total facility rate may not stretch that far after your taxable wage and agency costs, and IRS rules require a reasonable taxable wage ($20–25/hour typical).
However, if your taxable hourly rate is well above $25 and stipends are significantly below GSA maximums, ask your recruiter whether the split can be adjusted. More dollars in stipends means more take-home pay for the same total package.
Using GSA Rates as Leverage
When comparing offers between agencies for the same assignment, knowing the GSA rate helps you do apples-to-apples comparisons. One agency might offer higher hourly but lower stipends; another might maximize stipends. The GSA rate tells you which structure puts more in your pocket after taxes.