NICU Alabama High Demand

NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Alabama

Calculate your take-home pay as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Alabama. NICU travel nurses care for premature and critically ill newborns, requiring specialized skills in neonatal care.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$45/hr

NICU in AL

Weekly Gross Pay

$1,814

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$94,349

Working full-time

Calculate Your NICU Pay in Alabama

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Alabama. 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 Alabama ($686/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

$72.53

Based on 36 hours in AL.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,611

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,512

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$438

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,173

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.

Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$28,243

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$56,486

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$112,971

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,173

per week

Taxes

$438

per week

Total Gross: $2,611 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Alabama

$900

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,070

Your stipend covers rent with $2,070 left over each month.

Find apartments under $900/month in Birmingham:

We may earn a commission if you book through our link.

Cost of Living Analysis in Alabama

Monthly Net Income:$9,407
Average 1BR Rent:$900
True Discretionary Income:$8,507

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

Cost of Living Index:88.1

National average = 100. Alabama's cost of living is lower than the national average by 11.9 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

These are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in Alabama

NICU travel nurses in Alabama 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 NICU Travel Nurses in Alabama

NICU Certifications

  • BLS
  • NRP
  • 2+ years NICU experience

Alabama Licensing

Compact State Yes
License Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in Alabama

Tax Information

State Income Tax 5%
Tax-Friendly Yes

Cost of Living

COL Index 88.1
vs National Avg 11.900000000000006% lower
Housing Low

Top Hospitals Hiring NICU Nurses in Alabama

  • UAB Hospital
  • Baptist Health System
  • Huntsville Hospital

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do NICU travel nurses make in Alabama?

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Alabama typically earn between $40 and $57 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $45/hr. This translates to approximately $1,814 per week or $94,349 annually. NICU nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

What are the requirements to work as a NICU travel nurse in Alabama?

To work as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Alabama, you typically need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. Alabama 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 NICU travel nurses in Alabama?

The GSA per diem rates for Alabama are: Lodging: $98/night, Meals: $59/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts. NICU travel nurses receive the same stipend rates as other specialties—the specialty premium is reflected in the higher taxable hourly rate.

Is Alabama a good state for NICU travel nurses?

Alabama is relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. NICU nursing has high demand in this state. The cost of living index is 88.1 (below national average).

Which cities in Alabama have the best NICU travel nurse jobs?

Popular cities for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Alabama include: Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville. Major hospitals like UAB Hospital and Baptist Health System frequently hire NICU 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.