NICU Montana High Demand

NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Montana

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

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$48/hr

NICU in MT

Weekly Gross Pay

$1,901

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$98,842

Working full-time

Calculate Your NICU Pay in Montana

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Montana. 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 Montana ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate30.8%
Federal: 24%
State: 6.75%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 6.75% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$74.53

Based on 36 hours in MT.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,683

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,584

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$487

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,196

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$28,547

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$57,094

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$114,188

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,196

per week

Taxes

$487

per week

Total Gross: $2,683 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Montana

$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 Billings:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Montana

Monthly Net Income:$9,508
Average 1BR Rent:$1,000
True Discretionary Income:$8,508

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

Cost of Living Index:102.5

National average = 100. Montana's cost of living is higher than the national average by 2.5 points.

Housing Cost: Moderate

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 Montana

NICU travel nurses in Montana 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 Montana

NICU Certifications

  • BLS
  • NRP
  • 2+ years NICU experience

Montana Licensing

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

Tax & Cost of Living in Montana

Tax Information

State Income Tax 6.75%
Tax-Friendly No

Cost of Living

COL Index 102.5
vs National Avg 2.5% higher
Housing Moderate

Top Hospitals Hiring NICU Nurses in Montana

  • Billings Clinic
  • St. Patrick Hospital
  • Benefis Health System

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do NICU travel nurses make in Montana?

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Montana typically earn between $43 and $60 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $48/hr. This translates to approximately $1,901 per week or $98,842 annually. NICU nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

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

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

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

Montana has higher taxes but often offers competitive rates for travel nurses. NICU nursing has high demand in this state. The cost of living index is 102.5 (above national average).

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

Popular cities for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Montana include: Billings, Missoula, Great Falls. Major hospitals like Billings Clinic and St. Patrick 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.