What Is the Average Per Diem for Business Travel?

By Alice Nichols

Business travel is an important part of many companies’ operations. Companies rely on their employees to travel for meetings, conferences and other events to promote their brand and services. As such, it’s important to understand the costs associated with business travel, including the average per diem for business travel.

Per diem is a Latin term meaning “per day” that is used to refer to a daily allowance for expenses incurred while traveling for business purposes. It is typically calculated based on the location of the trip and can range from a few dollars up to hundreds of dollars per day depending on the location and type of trip. Per diem rates are set by the General Services Administration (GSA) and are updated annually.

Business travelers typically receive a per diem rate that covers lodging, meals, and incidentals during their trip. This rate varies based on the destination and length of stay, but generally falls between $50-100 per day. In some cases, employers may pay more than this amount if they choose to cover additional costs such as transportation or internet access.

In addition to the GSA’s set rates, employers may also reimburse employees for other expenses related to business travel such as airfare or car rental fees. However, these additional costs are not included in the per diem rate and must be calculated separately.

Conclusion:
What Is the Average Per Diem for Business Travel? The average per diem rate for business travel is generally between $50-100 per day depending on the destination and length of stay.

In some cases, employers may pay more than this amount if they choose to cover additional costs such as transportation or internet access. Additionally, employers may also reimburse employees for other expenses related to business travel such as airfare or car rental fees that are not included in the GSA’s set rates.