NICU Michigan High Demand

NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Michigan

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

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$49/hr

NICU in MI

Weekly Gross Pay

$1,944

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$101,088

Working full-time

#29

Michigan NICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurse compensation

Michigan's 4.25% state tax is offset by a low cost of living (index: 89). NICU travel nurses here can expect affordable housing—average rent is $1000/month, leaving an estimated $868/week in stipend profit.

Est. Weekly Gross

$3,043

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,494

(After 28.25% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$868/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $63/hr — $14/hr more than Michigan. Compare →

Calculate Your NICU Pay in Michigan

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Michigan. 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 Michigan ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate28.3%
Federal: 24%
State: 4.25%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 4.25% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$75.53

Based on 36 hours in MI.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,719

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,620

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$458

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,261

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

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$29,398

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$58,795

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$117,590

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,261

per week

Taxes

$458

per week

Total Gross: $2,719 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Michigan

$1,000

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$1,970

Your stipend covers rent with $1,970 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,000/month in Detroit:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Michigan

Monthly Net Income:$9,792
Average 1BR Rent:$1,000
True Discretionary Income:$8,792

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

Cost of Living Index:89.0

National average = 100. Michigan's cost of living is lower than the national average by 11.0 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.

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GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in Michigan

NICU travel nurses in Michigan 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 Michigan

NICU Certifications

  • BLS
  • NRP
  • 2+ years NICU experience

Michigan Licensing

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

Tax & Cost of Living in Michigan

Tax Information

State Income Tax 4.25%
Tax-Friendly Yes

Cost of Living

COL Index 89
vs National Avg 11% lower
Housing Low

Top Hospitals Hiring NICU Nurses in Michigan

  • University of Michigan Hospital
  • Henry Ford Hospital
  • Spectrum Health

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do NICU travel nurses make in Michigan?

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Michigan typically earn between $44 and $61 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $49/hr. This translates to approximately $1,944 per week or $101,088 annually. NICU nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

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

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

The GSA per diem rates for Michigan 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 Michigan a good state for NICU travel nurses?

Michigan is relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. NICU nursing has high demand in this state. The cost of living index is 89 (below national average).

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

Popular cities for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Michigan include: Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor. Major hospitals like University of Michigan Hospital and Henry Ford Hospital 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.