NICU Ohio High Demand

NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Ohio

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

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$56/hr

NICU in OH

Weekly Gross Pay

$2,022

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$105,132

Working full-time

#10

Ohio NICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurse compensation

Ohio's 3.99% state tax is offset by a low cost of living (index: 90.7). NICU travel nurses here can expect affordable housing—average rent is $900/month, leaving an estimated $891/week in stipend profit.

Est. Weekly Gross

$3,121

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,555

(After 27.990000000000002% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$891/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $63/hr — $7/hr more than Ohio. Compare →

Calculate Your NICU Pay in Ohio

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Ohio. 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 Ohio ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate28.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 3.99%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 3.99% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$82.53

Based on 36 hours in OH.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,971

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,872

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$524

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,447

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$31,811

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$63,623

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$127,245

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,447

per week

Taxes

$524

per week

Total Gross: $2,971 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Ohio

$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 Columbus:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Ohio

Monthly Net Income:$10,596
Average 1BR Rent:$900
True Discretionary Income:$9,696

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

Cost of Living Index:90.7

National average = 100. Ohio's cost of living is lower than the national average by 9.3 points.

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 Ohio

NICU travel nurses in Ohio 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 Ohio

NICU Certifications

  • BLS
  • NRP
  • 2+ years NICU experience

Ohio Licensing

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

Tax & Cost of Living in Ohio

Tax Information

State Income Tax 3.99%
Tax-Friendly Yes

Cost of Living

COL Index 90.7
vs National Avg 9.299999999999997% lower
Housing Low

Top Hospitals Hiring NICU Nurses in Ohio

  • Cleveland Clinic
  • Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
  • University Hospitals

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do NICU travel nurses make in Ohio?

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Ohio typically earn between $51 and $68 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $56/hr. This translates to approximately $2,022 per week or $105,132 annually. NICU nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

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

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

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

Ohio is relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. NICU nursing has high demand in this state. The cost of living index is 90.7 (below national average).

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

Popular cities for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Ohio include: Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati. Major hospitals like Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center 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.