ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Washington
Calculate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Washington. 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 WA
Weekly Gross Pay
$2,464
Before taxes
Annual Potential
$128,128
Working full-time
Washington ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurse compensation
While Washington has no state income tax, the high cost of living (index: 118.7) may offset some tax savings. However, extremely high demand for ICU nurses often means higher contract rates to compensate.
Est. Weekly Gross
$3,752
(Taxable + Stipends)
Est. Weekly Net
$3,161
(After 24% est. tax)
Stipend vs Housing
+$918/wk
(Surplus or deficit)
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Washington
Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Washington. 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 no state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$91.78
Based on 36 hours in WA.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,304
Taxable Weekly Income
$2,016
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$484
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,820
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$36,662
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$73,324
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$146,648
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,820
per week
Taxes
$484
per week
Total Gross: $3,304 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$840
≈ $3,637/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Washington
$1,600
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,037
Your stipend covers rent with $2,037 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,600/month in Seattle:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Washington
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Washington's cost of living is higher than the national average by 18.7 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 Washington
ICU travel nurses in Washington 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 Washington
ICU Certifications
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Washington Licensing
Tax & Cost of Living in Washington
Tax Information
Cost of Living
Top Cities for ICU Travel Nurses in Washington
Top Hospitals Hiring ICU Nurses in Washington
- University of Washington Medical Center
- Swedish Medical Center
- Virginia Mason Medical Center
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Washington?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Washington 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 Washington?
To work as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Washington, you typically need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. Washington 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 Washington?
The GSA per diem rates for Washington 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 Washington a good state for ICU travel nurses?
Washington 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 118.7 (above national average).
Which cities in Washington have the best ICU travel nurse jobs?
Popular cities for Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Washington include: Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma. Major hospitals like University of Washington Medical Center and Swedish Medical Center frequently hire ICU travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.