ICU Pennsylvania Very High Demand

ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Pennsylvania

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

Weekly Gross Pay

$2,112

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$109,824

Working full-time

#22

Pennsylvania ICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurse compensation

Pennsylvania offers moderate ICU travel nurse compensation at $53/hr (ranked #22 of 50 states). High demand means plenty of assignment options.

Est. Weekly Gross

$3,400

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,828

(After 27.07% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$1,034/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

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

Calculate Your ICU Pay in Pennsylvania

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania ($840/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate27.1%
Federal: 24%
State: 3.07%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 3.07% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$83.78

Based on 36 hours in PA.

Gross Weekly Pay

$3,016

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,728

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$468

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,548

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$33,127

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$66,254

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$132,508

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,548

per week

Taxes

$468

per week

Total Gross: $3,016 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$840

$3,637/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Pennsylvania

$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 Philadelphia:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Pennsylvania

Monthly Net Income:$11,034
Average 1BR Rent:$1,100
True Discretionary Income:$9,934

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

Cost of Living Index:100.3

National average = 100. Pennsylvania's cost of living is higher than the national average by 0.3 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 Pennsylvania

ICU travel nurses in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania

ICU Certifications

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

Pennsylvania Licensing

Compact State No
License Cost $200
Processing Time 4-6 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in Pennsylvania

Tax Information

State Income Tax 3.07%
Tax-Friendly Yes

Cost of Living

COL Index 100.3
vs National Avg 0.29999999999999716% higher
Housing Moderate

Top Cities for ICU Travel Nurses in Pennsylvania

Top Hospitals Hiring ICU Nurses in Pennsylvania

  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
  • UPMC Presbyterian
  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do ICU travel nurses make in Pennsylvania?

Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?

To work as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Pennsylvania, you typically need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. Pennsylvania is NOT part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so you'll need a separate Pennsylvania nursing license ($200, takes 4-6 weeks).

What GSA rates apply for ICU travel nurses in Pennsylvania?

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

Pennsylvania 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 100.3 (above national average).

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

Popular cities for Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Pennsylvania include: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown. Major hospitals like Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and UPMC Presbyterian 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.