Olympia / Tumwater Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Thurston · Washington · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Olympia / Tumwater is $80/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $128–$175/night for lodging depending on the month, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE). Lodging peaks in July and is lowest in September.
A 4-night business trip to Olympia / Tumwater in July totals $1,060: $700 lodging (4 nights) + $360 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
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Olympia / Tumwater lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Olympia / Tumwater. M&IE is flat at $80/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $151 | · |
| Feb | $151 | · |
| Mar | $151 | · |
| Apr | $151 | · |
| May | $151 | · |
| Jun | $151 | · |
| Jul | $175 | Peak |
| Aug | $175 | Peak |
| Sep | $128 | Low |
| Oct | $128 | Low |
| Nov | $128 | Low |
| Dec | $151 | · |
How does Olympia / Tumwater compare with other Washington per diem areas?
Olympia / Tumwater ranks #3 of 9 Washington non-standard per diem areas by peak lodging cap, at $175/night — $11 above the state's $164/night NSA average.
Lodging in Olympia / Tumwater swings 37% across the year — from $128/night in September to $175/night in July — so the same 4-night stay reimburses $188 more at the peak. M&IE stays flat at $80/day regardless of season.
Flexible on location? The next cheaper Washington area is Vancouver at $155/night peak, and the next step up is Port Angeles / Port Townsend at $235/night.
Book within the Olympia / Tumwater lodging cap
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Olympia / Tumwater per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Olympia / Tumwater?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Olympia / Tumwater, Washington is $80 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $128–$175/night for lodging depending on the month. The standard CONUS rate, for comparison, is $178 per day ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
- What is the meal reimbursement (M&IE) rate in Olympia / Tumwater?
- $80 per day for FY2026: $20 breakfast, $22 lunch, $33 dinner and $5 incidentals. The first and last day of travel reimburse at 75%, or $60.
- Why does lodging per diem in Olympia / Tumwater change by month?
- GSA sets seasonal lodging caps for high-demand areas. In Olympia / Tumwater, lodging is highest in July at $175/night and lowest in September at $128/night. M&IE stays flat at $80/day all year.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in Olympia / Tumwater?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Olympia / Tumwater the full daily cap is up to $255 (peak-month lodging + $80 M&IE). The portion above the GSA rate is taxable wages, and the stipend is only tax-free at all if you maintain a qualifying tax home.