ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Colorado
Calculate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Colorado. 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
$55/hr
ICU in CO
Weekly Gross Pay
$2,200
Before taxes
Annual Potential
$114,400
Working full-time
Colorado ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurse compensation
Colorado offers moderate ICU travel nurse compensation at $55/hr (ranked #13 of 50 states). As a compact license state, you can start working quickly without additional licensing. High demand means plenty of assignment options.
Est. Weekly Gross
$3,488
(Taxable + Stipends)
Est. Weekly Net
$2,863
(After 28.4% est. tax)
Stipend vs Housing
+$965/wk
(Surplus or deficit)
Hawaii leads at $64/hr — $9/hr more than Colorado. Compare →
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Colorado
Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Colorado. 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 4.4% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$85.78
Based on 36 hours in CO.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,088
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,800
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$511
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,577
Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.
Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$33,498
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$66,997
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$133,994
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,577
per week
Taxes
$511
per week
Total Gross: $3,088 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$840
≈ $3,637/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Colorado
$1,400
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,237
Your stipend covers rent with $2,237 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,400/month in Denver:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Colorado
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Colorado's cost of living is higher than the national average by 5.1 points.
Housing Cost: High
Utilities: Moderate
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 Colorado
ICU travel nurses in Colorado receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.
Lodging
$120/night
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
Weekly Stipend Max
$1,323
Requirements for ICU Travel Nurses in Colorado
ICU Certifications
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Colorado Licensing
Tax & Cost of Living in Colorado
Tax Information
Cost of Living
Top Cities for ICU Travel Nurses in Colorado
Top Hospitals Hiring ICU Nurses in Colorado
- UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
- Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center
- Rose Medical Center
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Colorado?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Colorado typically earn between $50 and $67 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $55/hr. This translates to approximately $2,200 per week or $114,400 annually. ICU nurses often earn a premium due to extremely high demand.
What are the requirements to work as a ICU travel nurse in Colorado?
To work as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Colorado, you typically need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. Colorado 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 Colorado?
The GSA per diem rates for Colorado are: Lodging: $120/night, Meals: $64/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 Colorado a good state for ICU travel nurses?
Colorado 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 105.1 (above national average).
Which cities in Colorado have the best ICU travel nurse jobs?
Popular cities for Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Colorado include: Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora. Major hospitals like UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center frequently hire ICU travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.