ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Arkansas
Calculate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Arkansas. 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
$44/hr
ICU in AR
Weekly Gross Pay
$1,760
Before taxes
Annual Potential
$91,520
Working full-time
Arkansas ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurse compensation
Arkansas's 5.9% state tax is offset by a low cost of living (index: 86.5). ICU travel nurses here can expect affordable housing—average rent is $800/month, leaving an estimated $914/week in stipend profit.
Est. Weekly Gross
$2,859
(Taxable + Stipends)
Est. Weekly Net
$2,333
(After 29.9% est. tax)
Stipend vs Housing
+$914/wk
(Surplus or deficit)
Hawaii leads at $64/hr — $20/hr more than Arkansas. Compare →
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Arkansas
Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Arkansas. 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.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 5.9% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$70.53
Based on 36 hours in AR.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,539
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,440
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$431
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,108
Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.
Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$27,410
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$54,819
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$109,639
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,108
per week
Taxes
$431
per week
Total Gross: $2,539 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Arkansas
$800
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,170
Your stipend covers rent with $2,170 left over each month.
Find apartments under $800/month in Little Rock:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Arkansas
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Arkansas's cost of living is lower than the national average by 13.5 points.
💡 Lower cost of living area. Your pay may go further here than in expensive cities.
Housing Cost: Low
Utilities: Low
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
Resources for Your Assignment
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GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in Arkansas
ICU travel nurses in Arkansas receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.
Lodging
$98/night
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
Weekly Stipend Max
$1,134
Requirements for ICU Travel Nurses in Arkansas
ICU Certifications
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Arkansas Licensing
Tax & Cost of Living in Arkansas
Tax Information
Cost of Living
Top Cities for ICU Travel Nurses in Arkansas
Top Hospitals Hiring ICU Nurses in Arkansas
- UAMS Medical Center
- Baptist Health
- Mercy Hospital
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Arkansas?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Arkansas typically earn between $39 and $56 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $44/hr. This translates to approximately $1,760 per week or $91,520 annually. ICU nurses often earn a premium due to extremely high demand.
What are the requirements to work as a ICU travel nurse in Arkansas?
To work as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Arkansas, you typically need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. Arkansas is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so if you have a compact license, you can work here without additional state licensing.
What GSA rates apply for ICU travel nurses in Arkansas?
The GSA per diem rates for Arkansas are: Lodging: $98/night, Meals: $59/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 Arkansas a good state for ICU travel nurses?
Arkansas has higher taxes but often offers competitive rates 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 86.5 (below national average).
Which cities in Arkansas have the best ICU travel nurse jobs?
Popular cities for Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Arkansas include: Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith. Major hospitals like UAMS Medical Center and Baptist Health frequently hire ICU travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.