ICU Delaware Very High Demand

ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Delaware

Calculate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Delaware. 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

$53/hr

ICU in DE

Weekly Gross Pay

$2,112

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$109,824

Working full-time

#18

Delaware ICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurse compensation

Delaware offers moderate ICU travel nurse compensation at $53/hr (ranked #18 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

$3,400

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,754

(After 30.6% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$1,034/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $64/hr — $11/hr more than Delaware. Compare →

Calculate Your ICU Pay in Delaware

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Delaware. 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 Delaware ($840/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate30.6%
Federal: 24%
State: 6.6%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 6.6% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$83.78

Based on 36 hours in DE.

Gross Weekly Pay

$3,016

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,728

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$529

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,487

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$32,334

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$64,668

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$129,336

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,487

per week

Taxes

$529

per week

Total Gross: $3,016 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$840

$3,637/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Delaware

$1,100

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,537

Your stipend covers rent with $2,537 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,100/month in Wilmington:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Delaware

Monthly Net Income:$10,770
Average 1BR Rent:$1,100
True Discretionary Income:$9,670

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

Cost of Living Index:102.3

National average = 100. Delaware's cost of living is higher than the national average by 2.3 points.

Housing Cost: Moderate

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 Delaware

ICU travel nurses in Delaware 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 Delaware

ICU Certifications

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

Delaware Licensing

Compact State Yes
License Cost $250
Processing Time 2-4 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in Delaware

Tax Information

State Income Tax 6.6%
Tax-Friendly No

Cost of Living

COL Index 102.3
vs National Avg 2.299999999999997% higher
Housing Moderate

Top Cities for ICU Travel Nurses in Delaware

Top Hospitals Hiring ICU Nurses in Delaware

  • ChristianaCare
  • Bayhealth
  • Nemours Children's Hospital

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do ICU travel nurses make in Delaware?

Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Delaware typically earn between $48 and $65 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $53/hr. This translates to approximately $2,112 per week or $109,824 annually. ICU nurses often earn a premium due to extremely high demand.

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

To work as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Delaware, you typically need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. Delaware 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 Delaware?

The GSA per diem rates for Delaware 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 Delaware a good state for ICU travel nurses?

Delaware 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 102.3 (above national average).

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

Popular cities for Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Delaware include: Wilmington, Dover, Newark. Major hospitals like ChristianaCare and Bayhealth 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.