ICU Massachusetts Very High Demand

ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Massachusetts

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

$62/hr

ICU in MA

Weekly Gross Pay

$2,464

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$128,128

Working full-time

#3

Massachusetts ICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurse compensation

Massachusetts offers moderate ICU travel nurse compensation at $62/hr (ranked #3 of 50 states). High demand means plenty of assignment options.

Est. Weekly Gross

$4,032

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$3,317

(After 29% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$1,152/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Calculate Your ICU Pay in Massachusetts

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Massachusetts. 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 Massachusetts ($1,050/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate29.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 5%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 5% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$99.56

Based on 36 hours in MA.

Gross Weekly Pay

$3,584

Taxable Weekly Income

$2,016

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$585

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,999

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$38,992

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$77,983

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$155,967

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,999

per week

Taxes

$585

per week

Total Gross: $3,584 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$1,050

$4,547/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Massachusetts

$1,800

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,747

Your stipend covers rent with $2,747 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,800/month in Boston:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Massachusetts

Monthly Net Income:$12,987
Average 1BR Rent:$1,800
True Discretionary Income:$11,187

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

Cost of Living Index:146.5

National average = 100. Massachusetts's cost of living is higher than the national average by 46.5 points.

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

Housing Cost: Very High

Utilities: 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 Massachusetts

ICU travel nurses in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts

ICU Certifications

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

Massachusetts Licensing

Compact State No
License Cost $300
Processing Time 4-6 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in Massachusetts

Tax Information

State Income Tax 5%
Tax-Friendly Yes

Cost of Living

COL Index 146.5
vs National Avg 46.5% higher
Housing Very High

Top Cities for ICU Travel Nurses in Massachusetts

Top Hospitals Hiring ICU Nurses in Massachusetts

  • Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do ICU travel nurses make in Massachusetts?

Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Massachusetts typically earn between $57 and $74 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $62/hr. This translates to approximately $2,464 per week or $128,128 annually. ICU nurses often earn a premium due to extremely high demand.

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

To work as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Massachusetts, you typically need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. Massachusetts is NOT part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so you'll need a separate Massachusetts nursing license ($300, takes 4-6 weeks).

What GSA rates apply for ICU travel nurses in Massachusetts?

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

Massachusetts 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 146.5 (above national average).

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

Popular cities for Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Massachusetts include: Boston, Worcester, Springfield. Major hospitals like Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's 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.