ICU Alaska Very High Demand

ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Alaska

Calculate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Alaska. ICU travel nurses care for critically ill patients in intensive care units, requiring advanced skills in life support, monitoring, and critical thinking.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$61/hr

ICU in AK

Weekly Gross Pay

$2,420

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$125,840

Working full-time

#5

Alaska ICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurse compensation

While Alaska has no state income tax, the high cost of living (index: 125.8) may offset some tax savings. However, extremely high demand for ICU nurses often means higher contract rates to compensate.

Est. Weekly Gross

$3,988

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$3,407

(After 24% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$1,291/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Calculate Your ICU Pay in Alaska

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Alaska. Enter your contract details to see your true discretionary income after cost of living adjustments.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Alaska ($1,050/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate24.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 0%

Same state assignment. You'll pay no state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$98.56

Based on 36 hours in AK.

Gross Weekly Pay

$3,548

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,980

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$475

True Net Weekly Pay

$3,073

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$39,946

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$79,893

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$159,786

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$3,073

per week

Taxes

$475

per week

Total Gross: $3,548 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$1,050

$4,547/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Alaska

$1,200

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$3,347

Your stipend covers rent with $3,347 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,200/month in Anchorage:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Alaska

Monthly Net Income:$13,305
Average 1BR Rent:$1,200
True Discretionary Income:$12,105

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:125.8

National average = 100. Alaska's cost of living is higher than the national average by 25.8 points.

💡 High cost of living area. Ensure your pay compensates for the increased expenses.

Housing Cost: High

Utilities: Very High

Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.

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GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in Alaska

ICU travel nurses in Alaska receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.

Lodging

$150/night

Meals & Incidentals

$79/day

Weekly Stipend Max

$1,603

Requirements for ICU Travel Nurses in Alaska

ICU Certifications

  • ACLS
  • BLS
  • 2+ years ICU experience
  • Critical care certification preferred

Alaska Licensing

Compact State No
License Cost $350
Processing Time 4-6 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in Alaska

Tax Information

State Income Tax None
Tax-Friendly Yes

Cost of Living

COL Index 125.8
vs National Avg 25.799999999999997% higher
Housing High

Top Cities for ICU Travel Nurses in Alaska

Top Hospitals Hiring ICU Nurses in Alaska

  • Providence Alaska Medical Center
  • Alaska Regional Hospital
  • Fairbanks Memorial Hospital

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do ICU travel nurses make in Alaska?

Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Alaska typically earn between $56 and $73 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $61/hr. This translates to approximately $2,420 per week or $125,840 annually. ICU nurses often earn a premium due to extremely high demand.

What are the requirements to work as a ICU travel nurse in Alaska?

To work as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Alaska, you typically need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. Alaska is NOT part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so you'll need a separate Alaska nursing license ($350, takes 4-6 weeks).

What GSA rates apply for ICU travel nurses in Alaska?

The GSA per diem rates for Alaska are: Lodging: $150/night, Meals: $74/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts. ICU travel nurses receive the same stipend rates as other specialties—the specialty premium is reflected in the higher taxable hourly rate.

Is Alaska a good state for ICU travel nurses?

Alaska is relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. ICU nurses are in extremely high demand, which often leads to better pay and more assignment options. The cost of living index is 125.8 (above national average).

Which cities in Alaska have the best ICU travel nurse jobs?

Popular cities for Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Alaska include: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau. Major hospitals like Providence Alaska Medical Center and Alaska Regional Hospital frequently hire ICU travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.