NICU Pennsylvania High Demand

NICU Travel Nurse Salary in Pennsylvania

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

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$52/hr

NICU in PA

Weekly Gross Pay

$2,074

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$107,827

Working full-time

#22

Pennsylvania NICU Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for NICU travel nurse compensation

Pennsylvania offers moderate NICU travel nurse compensation at $52/hr (ranked #22 of 50 states). Demand is steady for this specialty.

Est. Weekly Gross

$3,362

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,801

(After 27.07% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$1,034/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $63/hr — $11/hr more than Pennsylvania. Compare →

Calculate Your NICU Pay in Pennsylvania

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania ($840/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate27.1%
Federal: 24%
State: 3.07%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 3.07% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$83.78

Based on 36 hours in PA.

Gross Weekly Pay

$3,016

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,728

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$468

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,548

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$33,127

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$66,254

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$132,508

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,548

per week

Taxes

$468

per week

Total Gross: $3,016 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$840

$3,637/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Pennsylvania

$1,100

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,537

Your stipend covers rent with $2,537 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,100/month in Philadelphia:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Pennsylvania

Monthly Net Income:$11,034
Average 1BR Rent:$1,100
True Discretionary Income:$9,934

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

Cost of Living Index:100.3

National average = 100. Pennsylvania's cost of living is higher than the national average by 0.3 points.

Housing Cost: Moderate

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 Pennsylvania

NICU travel nurses in Pennsylvania 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 NICU Travel Nurses in Pennsylvania

NICU Certifications

  • BLS
  • NRP
  • 2+ years NICU experience

Pennsylvania Licensing

Compact State No
License Cost $200
Processing Time 4-6 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in Pennsylvania

Tax Information

State Income Tax 3.07%
Tax-Friendly Yes

Cost of Living

COL Index 100.3
vs National Avg 0.29999999999999716% higher
Housing Moderate

Top Hospitals Hiring NICU Nurses in Pennsylvania

  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
  • UPMC Presbyterian
  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do NICU travel nurses make in Pennsylvania?

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Pennsylvania typically earn between $47 and $64 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $52/hr. This translates to approximately $2,074 per week or $107,827 annually. NICU nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

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

To work as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in Pennsylvania, you typically need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years NICU experience. Pennsylvania is NOT part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so you'll need a separate Pennsylvania nursing license ($200, takes 4-6 weeks).

What GSA rates apply for NICU travel nurses in Pennsylvania?

The GSA per diem rates for Pennsylvania are: Lodging: $120/night, Meals: $64/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 Pennsylvania a good state for NICU travel nurses?

Pennsylvania is relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. NICU nursing has high demand in this state. The cost of living index is 100.3 (above national average).

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

Popular cities for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in Pennsylvania include: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown. Major hospitals like Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and UPMC Presbyterian 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.