ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Kentucky
Calculate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Kentucky. 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 KY
Weekly Gross Pay
$1,760
Before taxes
Annual Potential
$91,520
Working full-time
Kentucky ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurse compensation
Kentucky's 5% state tax is offset by a low cost of living (index: 89.7). ICU travel nurses here can expect affordable housing—average rent is $850/month, leaving an estimated $903/week in stipend profit.
Est. Weekly Gross
$2,859
(Taxable + Stipends)
Est. Weekly Net
$2,349
(After 29% est. tax)
Stipend vs Housing
+$903/wk
(Surplus or deficit)
Hawaii leads at $64/hr — $20/hr more than Kentucky. Compare →
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Kentucky
Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Kentucky. 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% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$70.53
Based on 36 hours in KY.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,539
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,440
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$418
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,121
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$27,578
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$55,156
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$110,313
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,121
per week
Taxes
$418
per week
Total Gross: $2,539 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Kentucky
$850
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,120
Your stipend covers rent with $2,120 left over each month.
Find apartments under $850/month in Louisville:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Kentucky
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Kentucky's cost of living is lower than the national average by 10.3 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 Kentucky
ICU travel nurses in Kentucky 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 Kentucky
ICU Certifications
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Kentucky Licensing
Tax & Cost of Living in Kentucky
Tax Information
Cost of Living
Top Cities for ICU Travel Nurses in Kentucky
Top Hospitals Hiring ICU Nurses in Kentucky
- Norton Healthcare
- Baptist Health
- University of Kentucky Hospital
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Kentucky?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
To work as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Kentucky, you typically need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
The GSA per diem rates for Kentucky 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 Kentucky a good state for ICU travel nurses?
Kentucky 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 89.7 (below national average).
Which cities in Kentucky have the best ICU travel nurse jobs?
Popular cities for Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Kentucky include: Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green. Major hospitals like Norton Healthcare and Baptist Health frequently hire ICU travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.